Proceedings of the Internal Technical Workshop on nature-based solutions (NbS) in Europe and Central Asia (ECA)

FAO

Proceedings of the Internal Technical Workshop on nature-based solutions (NbS) in Europe and Central Asia (ECA)

What do we mean by NbS and how can we apply them to agrifood systems?

Year of publication 2023

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 15 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Document

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) A session on nature-based solutions (NbS) was convened as part of this work session during the 2021 FAO Informal Consultation for Europe and Central. During the Informal Consultation, the first report which was drafted by REU on the NbS approach for ECA countries was launched3. Moreover, on December 1, 2020, the first virtual technical event on NbS for ECA as part of the series ‘Hand in Hand with Nature: Understanding NbS in Agriculture Through GIAHS’ was launched. To compliment efforts of mainstreaming NbS, REU convened a two-hour and half internal workshop on 9 December 2021 on Zoom. The main thrust of this workshop was to enhance national capacities on NbS of FAO technical experts working in ECA through the provision of a clear understanding of the NbS concept and approach, as well as a method to identify and apply them in agriculture. It also sought to answer the question: What do we mean by NbS and how can we apply them to agri-food systems? This dialogue created an interactive working environment that would generate up-to-date information on NbS in ECA.

Language English

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Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Proceedings of the nature-based solutions webinar
Hand in hand with nature: Understanding nature-based solutions in agriculture through GIAHS - 1 December 2020
2021

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The adverse effects of anthropogenic-induced climate change on the sustainability and resilience of agri-food systems at inter-regional scales calls for a substantial reorientation and sectoral transformation of the existing production and governance systems. In this context, FAO’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia convened a webinar on 1 December 2020 under the theme “Hand in Hand with Nature: Understanding Nature-Based Solutions in agriculture through GIAHS”. The main thrust of the webinar was to open a debate on the potentialities of nature-based solutions (NbS) to support agri-food systems in the Europe and Central Asia region. The dialogue also sought to develop a multi-stakeholder platform for upscaling NbS in agriculture based on real cases, tools and science-based shreds of evidence in ECA countries. The two-hour virtual session encompassed keynote presentations, interactive dialogues, and panel discussions covering the concepts of NbS and the Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems (GIAHS). NbS are measures taken to sustainably conserve, restore and manage ecosystems in order to meet societal challenges in an effective and adaptable manner while also benefiting life on Earth. GIAHS is a major FAO programme that aims at identifying, supporting and safeguarding remarkable agricultural, forestry and fisheries production systems, with their livelihoods, agrobiodiversity, landscapes, knowledge systems and cultures around the world. Through this first webinar, FAO provided a revision of nature-based solutions in agriculture with real and time-tested examples coming from GIAHS.
Book (stand-alone)
Hand in hand with nature – Nature-based Solutions for transformative agriculture
A revision of Nature-based Solutions for the Europe and Central Asia region, supported by Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) examples
2021

Also available in:

Russian

This report seeks to provide the countries in the Europe and Central Asia region with an overview and real examples of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) applied to agriculture. This is FAO’s first attempt to present NBS applied to agriculture especially pointed at the countries of this region, prompting the scaling-up of these actions as solutions to brought ashore the transition towards resilience and sustainable agriculture. Nature-based Solution is a recent concept that has been rapidly embraced and promoted by international organizations, government bodies, scientific research, and social organizations to face current societal challenges. In agriculture, these solutions are supported by ecosystems functioning to provide food security and livelihoods. By doing so, natural resources and biodiversity are managed in such a way that they maintain their functions providing ecosystem services to the agro-ecosystem. Europe and Central Asia is a highly diverse region in which agri-food systems have had to adapt to severe and context-specific conditions. Therefore, it is also a treasure trove of NbS in agriculture, ingeniously developed and maintained by its local communities for centuries. By providing time-tested successful NbS examples coming from Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), this report encourages the recognition and identification of already existing NbS in the region as supportive actions that could be enhanced thanks to innovation and science. This way "Hand in Hand with nature: Nature-based solutions for transformative agriculture" supports ECA countries to manage natural resources sustainably while also coping with climate change and other threats to agri-food systems.
Project

Making Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries More Sustainable and Resilient through Use of Nature-Based Solutions - GCP/GLO/436/IRE 2024

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Nature based solutions (NBS) in agriculture and food systems encompass people centred and regenerative approaches targeted at restoring, sustainably managing and conserving the natural capital needed to buffer food systems and the livelihoods dependent upon them against shocks and crises, while supporting the achievement of sustainable development, climate and biodiversity goals. Considering the potential benefits to be derived from their application, a concerted effort is needed to scale up and optimize the use of NBS, integrating them into wider food system risk management, development and climate action strategies, such as disaster risk reduction, adaptation and mitigation. To support countries in optimizing the use of agricultural NBS, the project supported the development of a multidisciplinary diagnostic, planning and monitoring framework for investments at local and national levels. The tool aims to support countries to conduct better landscape planning and to mainstream issues of natural capital, ecosystem services and biodiversity into planning and investment decision making.