WCC 2020 Res 060 - Activity Report

CEM NbS Thematic Group organized and/or participated in a number of events to promote the NbS concept and the Global Standard for NbS, for different regions and for different types of stakeholders:
1. Events organized: NbS workshop for MSc students at Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro University, Portugal (May 2023); Erasmus Mundus class - Portugal (Nov 2023)
2. Presentations at international events: SMILES COST Meeting - Cyprus (May 2023); Expert panel at the Mega-Eco Project Symposium - UPenn, Philadelphia, USA (Oct 2023); Presentation at Ecumene Conference on NbS, Russia; Presentation at EcoFuture - PRIMA project, Chanya, Greece (April 2023); Teaching about NbS and the Global Standard for NbS at Climate Change Adaptation & Green Works Course for International Labor Organization (May 2024).

Events planned: NbS workshop at the UN Science Summit 79 - USA (Sept 2024); workshop on NbS at the ESP Conference, Wageningen, The Netherlands (Nov 2024)

CEM Chair has been participating in several international events, advocating for and discussing the Global Standard for NbS.
The Information document "Proposing the IUCN Global Standard for NbS as the main operational framework to implement UNEA Resolutions 5/5 on NbS for supporting Sustainable Development" was prepared for and presented at the United Nations Environmental Assembly 6. Here is the link to the publication: https://www.iucn.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/iucn_information_paper_iucn_global_standard_for_nature-based_solutions_and_unea_resolutions_1502024.pdf

1. Publications:
- “The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™ as a tool for enhancing the sustainable development of marine aquaculture” - Frontiers Marine Science
- “The evolution and future of research on Nature-based Solutions to address societal challenges” - Communications Earth & Environment
2. Collaboration with MERLIN research project to integrate the Global Standard for NbS as an assessment framework for multiple case studies in Europe.

A CEM publication is being finalized, with the following objectives: 1. Learn from NbS interventions around the globe & disseminate good practice; 2. Learn from use of Global Standard for NbS in specific case-studies; 3. Collect specific feedback from users to improve the Global Standard for NbS. 21 case studies from around the globe (from USA, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Peru, Kenya, India, China, New Caledonia, Indonesia, New Zeeland, Australia, Austria, UK, France, Italy, Greece, Algeria, Spain and Portugal) have been assessed with the 8 criteria and 28 indicators of the Global Standard for NbS, and will be presented. Their feedback on the Global Standard will be considered in improving future versions.

The International Standard Committee, led by Angela Andrade - CEM’s chair, has met regularly with the different members, to discuss ways forward, including how to progress with the NbS Global Standard’s revision.