Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation and mitigation – good practice examples and lessons learned in Europe

This report documents and analyses good practice examples of ecosystem-based approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation in Europe. Ecosystem-based approaches to mitigation (EBM) are defined as the use of ecosystems for their carbon storage and sequestration service to aid climate change mitigation. Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation (EBA) are defined as the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help people adapt to the adverse effects of climate change; these approaches may include sustainable management, conservation and restoration of ecosystems, as part of an overall adaptation strategy that takes into account the multiple social, economic and cultural co-benefits for local communities.

This study compiled 101 case studies: 13 are EBM, 49 are EBA and 39 are from adaptation in nature conservation (nine of which were used to inform EBA), covering over 17 European countries (some projects were regional).

The review of all these projects showed that ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation and mitigation bring a number of environmental, social and economic benefits in addition to adaptation or mitigation. Many of the EBA approaches also contribute to EBM and viceversa. Despite these benefits, the studies showed that there are a number of barriers to adopting EBA and EBM approaches. The three main barriers are: the need for considerable land, opposition from communities and lack of funding.