On 25 May 2024, APE organised a roundtable to discuss conditions for the mainstream Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the water sector. The roundtable was organised in the framework of MERLIN, a EU-funded research and innovation project under the Horizon 2020 programme. The webinar featured engaging sessions with experts from the water sector and representatives from European institutions. Discussions focused on the challenges hindering the widespread adoption of NbS and identified actionable steps for developing a sectoral strategy.

Key highlights from the meeting included:

• In-depth discussions on the main factors hampering a broader diffusion of NbS, including the traditional engineering culture of water operators, the lack of stabilised methodologies to assess the (cost-)effectiveness of NbS compared to traditional solutions, and the governance complexities that necessitate more holistic, interdisciplinary and multistakeholder approaches. 
• A presentation showcasing concrete examples of NbS solutions implemented by a water operator, along with the necessary conditions for their successful implementation. 

The feedback gathered from this roundtable will be integral to formulating a strategy to address these challenges and advance the mainstreaming of Nature-based Solutions in the water supply and sanitation sector.

Read the full report of the roundtable here.

Download the presentations:

• Managing water with Nature-based solutions: SDEA’s example of managing mudslides and urban rainwater
• Barcelona SUDS Strategy