Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have gained strong momentum across Europe, mobilising action to address climate, biodiversity and societal challenges. Building on over a decade of work, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) continues to shape this field through its NbS Standard and European hubs.

A recent UrbanByNature webinar, co-organised with IUCN and ICLEI Europe, brought together experts and practitioners to explore how NbS standards can be applied in policy and practice including representatives from NetworkNatureEU, EcoDalli, NBS4Drought and the NbS Italian Hub. 

The session opened with Boris Erg (IUCN Europe) and Matthew Bach (ICLEI Europe), who highlighted the rapid uptake of NbS and the need to ensure their quality and long-term impact.

Key insights

Natalia Burgos (IUCN) presented NbS as an umbrella concept, bringing together actors working on nature and human well-being. She emphasised the importance of applying the IUCN Global Standard rigorously to ensure NbS deliver measurable, inclusive and resilient outcomes, while also helping practitioners navigate uncertainty. Finally, she introduced the IUCN European NbS Hub a connecting and enabling platform to support NbS mainstreaming across policy and practice in the region.

Facundo Odriozola (IUCN) focused on how the IUCN Global Standard can be applied in practice through the NbS Self-Assessment Tool. He showed how the tool enables practitioners to assess projects against the eight NbS criteria, identify strengths and gaps, and improve design, implementation and monitoring. Drawing on global case studies, he illustrated how the Standard supports more transparent, evidence-based and scalable NbS, while helping integrate them into policy frameworks and long-term governance.

Municipalities were highlighted as key drivers of impact, with Matthew Bach stressing the importance of multilevel governance and cross-sector collaboration. Across discussions, speakers underlined that early stakeholder engagement is essential to build legitimacy, balance competing interests and support long-term stewardship.

From a policy perspective, Daniela Rizzi (ICLEI Europe), coordinator of NetworkNature pointed to a rapidly expanding NbS landscape in Europe, but noted that knowledge remains fragmented. Initiatives such as NbS hubs and platforms like UrbanByNature play a key role in uniting actors and supporting mainstreaming of NbS. 

From standards to practice

Practical insights were shared by:

• Diana Vigah Adetsu (Aarhus University) scientist working with NBS4Drought project, who highlighted the role of NbS in drought mitigation and the importance of working closely with stakeholders, particularly farmers
• Gregorio Sgrigna, (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) who presented the Italian NbS Hub and stressed the importance of community-building, capacity development and long-term financing
• Silke Michelitsch (BOKU), who shared lessons from Danube restoration, including the use of NbS self-assessment tools in the project EcoDalli

The discussion also addressed challenges such as governance complexity and social risks, including green gentrification. Speakers agreed that while these cannot be fully avoided, the NbS Standard can support more transparent and inclusive decision-making.

The webinar closed with a clear message from Daniela Rizzi and Natalia Burgos: NbS are not only about working with nature, but across sectors, scales and communities. Ensuring high-integrity implementation will be key to their long-term success.

To take part in future trainings, register for the UrbanByNature programme. 

Learn more about the work of NBS4Drought. 

Read up on the IUCN Global Standards and rewatch the training.