Enhancing Nordic infrastructure resilience via Nature-based Solutions: a review

Climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of storms, floods, and landslides in the Nordic region, making linear infrastructure such as roads, railways, and power grids increasingly vulnerable. As safety and maintenance challenges intensify, innovative solutions are required to enhance resilience to natural hazards. 

The NordicLink project (https://www.nordiclink.no/), 2020-2023, aimed to safeguard Nordic infrastructure against natural hazards through improved risk assessments and climate adaptation solutions. This study explores the potential for increased use of nature-based solutions (NbS) for linear infrastructure in rural areas. The study is based on a survey among the key owners of roads, railways, and power grids in the Nordic region, with the goal of identifying which natural hazards cause the greatest concern in a future climate, and understanding what information and documentation are needed to increase the use of NbS in rural areas.  

Flooding, erosion, landslides, and rockfalls were identified as the most significant natural hazards. These results formed the basis for a NbS review with a specific focus on linear infrastructure in the Nordic Region.  

Despite few examples on the use of NbS directly along roads, railways and power grids in the Nordic region, several solutions have the potential for implementation in these areas. Based on Nordic and international examples, we have developed an overview of NbS options suitable for linear infrastructure (Capobianco et al., 2022). This overview provides quick and easy access to NbS, categorized into green, blue, blue-green, and hybrid measures, and is supported by case studies from Norway and Sweden. 

This review highlights both opportunities and challenges in mainstreaming NbS. Barriers such as limited expertise, spatial and climatic constraints, and path dependency on adoption of traditional infrastructure must be addressed. Moreover, the study highlights the need for standardization, European guidelines, and technical manuals to increase the use of NbS among infrastructure managers. Additionally, the many co-benefits of NbS - such as carbon sequestration, increased biodiversity, and ecosystem services – should be integral to the decision-making process.  

This study contributes to a better understanding of NbS as potential measures to mitigate natural hazards related to Nordic infrastructure networks. By bridging knowledge gaps and providing feasible recommendations, it aims to support infrastructure managers and policymakers in adapting to the challenges posed by a changing climate. 

References 

Capobianco, V., Palau, R. M., Solheim, A., Gisnås, K., Gilbert, G., Danielsson, P., & van der Keur, P. (2024). The potential use of nature-based solutions as natural hazard mitigation measure for linear infrastructure in the Nordic Countries. Geoenvironmental Disasters, 11(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40677-024-00287-4