Evaluating stakeholders’ perception for inclusive climate actions and NBS acceptance

The present study explores the perceptions of diverse stakeholders about the potential of nature-based solutions to address inclusive climate actions (actions that tackle simultaneously climate change and inequalities). We performed surveys and in-depth interviews with 20-30 cross-sectoral stakeholders from five case studies of European cities (Bucharest, Amsterdam, Bruxelles, Turin and Skelleftea) aiming to understand how individual values, behaviors and dependent factors shape perceptions of climate risks and NBS acceptance.

Stakeholders were identified in a previous analysis and included personnel from governmental authorities, individual experts and specialists, non-state actors and general public. We included in the analysis a system of ranking of climate risks, but also detailed information about typologies of NBS of relevance to local conditions.

Results are being analyzed in both qualitative and quantitative approaches, and allowed us to identify: (i) high presence of specific climate risks (such as extreme heat in Bucharest); (ii) the preference of hybrid solutions as the most effective for mitigating climate risks; (iii) local and stakeholder-specific drivers and barriers to the effective implementation of NbS; (iv) the need for more collaborative planning for developing inclusive solutions.

The collection of different perceptions of stakeholders will inform a City Declaration discussed with cooperation partners during a reflection session that will support evidence-based decision making for more inclusive NbS and contribute together with other activities to an evidenced-based system for decision support. This research is part of the research project Driving Urban Transition - GREEN-INC (GRowing Effective & Equitable Nature-based Solutions through INClusive Climate Actions).