Launch of the first assessment of IUCN NbS Global Standard in Mediterranean urban areas

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This report summarises the results of a first assessment of a selection of 18 practices in Mediterranean cities against the IUCN Global Standard. The purpose of the analysis was to assess to what extent these interventions met the standard, and in this way to identify particular opportunities and challenges for applying the standard in urban areas throughout the Mediterranean region.

It is the first practical assessment of the Standard against real projects and strategies already implemented or in the design stages. It aimed to identify both the Standard’s potential in Mediterranean cities, and challenges in its use that must be resolved.

The overall lessons learned from the assessment point to the need for continuing improvements in practices, especially the systematic evaluation of options, more inclusive public involvement, incorporating adaptive management, and establishing monitoring systems for better reporting on the potential benefits of NbS in urban contexts.

“From IUCN, we believe that a different urbanization –more sustainable and inclusive– is certainly possible, and we hope the IUCN Global Standard on NbS becomes a useful tool to guide urban planners, business and civil society to develop the evidence base of the economic, social and environmental benefits of Nature-based Solutions, and communicate success stories to inspire positive action for nature in urban areas in the Mediterranean and around the world”, said Lourdes Lázaro Marín, coordinator of the publication, IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation.

This report contributes to an evidence base on the benefits of NbS to cities in the Mediterranean region. However, it also recognises that we are still at the early stages of developing sufficient knowledge to enable the development of city specific NbS strategies at bigger scales.

For further information, please, contact, Lourdes Lázaro and Andrés Alcántara.