Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MERLIN (Mainstreaming Ecological Restoration of freshwater-related ecosystems in a Landscape context: INnovation, upscaling and transformation)
Período documentado: 2021-10-01 hasta 2023-03-31
Nature can be mobilised to protect itself, with Nature-based Solutions (NbS) being employed to transform environmental problems into opportunities. Ecosystem restoration using NbS is important; for instance, freshwaters play a big role in the restoration of streams, rivers, peatlands and wetlands. In this context, the EU-funded MERLIN project demonstrates best practices for freshwater restoration. Bringing together 47 partners from across Europe, including universities, research institutes and nature conservation organisations, as well as stakeholders for businesses, governments and municipalities, the project draws on successful freshwater restoration projects across Europe transforming them into beacons of innovation. Through collaborations with local communities and key economies, MERLIN co-developes win–win solutions spearheading systemic economic, social and environmental change.
Best practice restoration case studies
MERLIN comprises 18 case studies demonstrating best practice restoration. In 17 cases, MERLIN co-finances and implements restoration activities based on optimization plans with SWOT analysis and detailed case-specific implementation plans.
It is our goal to further upscale restoration in the individual case study areas. Regional scalability plans have been drafted that outline future opportunities to extend the restoration activities within and outside the individual catchment areas.
We assess case studies every 1.5 years using the global nature-based solution standard to understand their social relevance. The initial assessment revealed strong biodiversity aspects but limited economic feasibility. We anticipate positive progress in these aspects throughout the project, guiding our monitoring efforts.
European scale restoration
MERLIN analysed data from the Habitats Directive and Water Framework Directive to create Europe-wide maps of restoration needs and potentials for floodplains, rivers, and wetlands. We focused on habitats and species covered by the HD, revealing a significant need for restoration. Using stressor information and socio-economic conditions, we identified relevant restoration actions and created a map of areas with high restoration potential. With a quantitative approach in five catchments, we achieve Green Deal goals and develop targeted restoration projects, overcoming barriers and promoting sustainability.
MERLIN's work on European-scale restoration has established a foundation for a scalability plan, identifying the needs and potentials for freshwater ecosystem restoration.
Green economy
MERLIN engaged in discussions with private financiers and sectoral stakeholders to explore the possibility of involving the private sector in funding nature restoration. We found that this would require significant policy and market reforms, including incorporating externalities into the price of traded goods and services, measuring economic progress in a way that aligns with environmental sustainability, managing structural changes in the economy, and making green investment and public procurement credible drivers of environmental action. While these reforms are ambitious, MERLIN is focused on the last two goals.
MERLIN is developing “off the shelf instruments” to facilitate the connection between restoration projects and private investors. These instruments describe different alternative ways of financing restoration activities in a comprehensive and accessible manner.
Restoration training and marketplace
The MERLIN Academy offers a complete training programme with online modules covering various important subjects. It will serve as a central learning resource for individuals, who want to pursue independent further education and become experts in freshwater restoration. The modular design will also allow for the integration of specific content into existing university and academy programmes that cover related topics.
The implementation of restoration is closely linked to supply and demand. This involves the products and services that are specifically required based on project needs. Here, the MERLIN Marketplace comes into play as a central connection point between supply and demand. Its aim is to facilitate connections within the community of practice by providing a virtual platform. This platform enables interested parties to find partners, investors, or service providers, as well as to promote restoration products and services.
Restoration mainstreaming
MERLIN is closely cooperating with six economic sectors. We are evaluating how the sectors’ engagement into restoration and Nature-based Solutions could be enhanced. We have started building a network of relevant private sector companies, sector associations and policy contacts and identified some cooperation points per sector as a community of practice needs to have a common focus around which to work.
We are in the process to outline how freshwater restoration could become full nature-based solutions that address all aspects of the global standard. The transformation component of MERLIN is focussing on how this philosophy could inform the thinking across the levers of change at the EU scale and the relevant institutions.
MERLIN comprises 18 case studies demonstrating best practice restoration. In 17 cases, MERLIN co-finances and implements restoration activities based on optimization plans with SWOT analysis and detailed case-specific implementation plans.
It is our goal to further upscale restoration in the individual case study areas. Regional scalability plans have been drafted that outline future opportunities to extend the restoration activities within and outside the individual catchment areas.
We assess case studies every 1.5 years using the global nature-based solution standard to understand their social relevance. The initial assessment revealed strong biodiversity aspects but limited economic feasibility. We anticipate positive progress in these aspects throughout the project, guiding our monitoring efforts.
European scale restoration
MERLIN analysed data from the Habitats Directive and Water Framework Directive to create Europe-wide maps of restoration needs and potentials for floodplains, rivers, and wetlands. We focused on habitats and species covered by the HD, revealing a significant need for restoration. Using stressor information and socio-economic conditions, we identified relevant restoration actions and created a map of areas with high restoration potential. With a quantitative approach in five catchments, we achieve Green Deal goals and develop targeted restoration projects, overcoming barriers and promoting sustainability.
MERLIN's work on European-scale restoration has established a foundation for a scalability plan, identifying the needs and potentials for freshwater ecosystem restoration.
Green economy
MERLIN engaged in discussions with private financiers and sectoral stakeholders to explore the possibility of involving the private sector in funding nature restoration. We found that this would require significant policy and market reforms, including incorporating externalities into the price of traded goods and services, measuring economic progress in a way that aligns with environmental sustainability, managing structural changes in the economy, and making green investment and public procurement credible drivers of environmental action. While these reforms are ambitious, MERLIN is focused on the last two goals.
MERLIN is developing “off the shelf instruments” to facilitate the connection between restoration projects and private investors. These instruments describe different alternative ways of financing restoration activities in a comprehensive and accessible manner.
Restoration training and marketplace
The MERLIN Academy offers a complete training programme with online modules covering various important subjects. It will serve as a central learning resource for individuals, who want to pursue independent further education and become experts in freshwater restoration. The modular design will also allow for the integration of specific content into existing university and academy programmes that cover related topics.
The implementation of restoration is closely linked to supply and demand. This involves the products and services that are specifically required based on project needs. Here, the MERLIN Marketplace comes into play as a central connection point between supply and demand. Its aim is to facilitate connections within the community of practice by providing a virtual platform. This platform enables interested parties to find partners, investors, or service providers, as well as to promote restoration products and services.
Restoration mainstreaming
MERLIN is closely cooperating with six economic sectors. We are evaluating how the sectors’ engagement into restoration and Nature-based Solutions could be enhanced. We have started building a network of relevant private sector companies, sector associations and policy contacts and identified some cooperation points per sector as a community of practice needs to have a common focus around which to work.
We are in the process to outline how freshwater restoration could become full nature-based solutions that address all aspects of the global standard. The transformation component of MERLIN is focussing on how this philosophy could inform the thinking across the levers of change at the EU scale and the relevant institutions.
Expected impact 1
Actions are expected to demonstrate how transformational change through ecosystem restoration delivers at large scale, delivering first visible results and examples on land and at sea by 2024, with benefits increasing in the long-term.
Expected impact 2
Maintained and enhanced natural carbon sinks and reduced greenhouse gas emissions through the important role of biodiversity, local reversal of the degradation of ecosystems, recovery of ecosystem functions, in-creased connectivity and resilience of ecosystems, and improved delivery of a range of ecosystem services.
Expected impact 3
The objectives of the European Green Deal, including the EU commitment to reduce emission by 50-55% by 2030 and become net carbon-neutral by 2050.
Expected impact 4
The implementation of relevant European and international initiative (e.g. EU Nature Directives, Farm-to-Fork Strategy, UN Decade of Restoration including land/sea degradation neutrality).
Expected impact 5
Widespread and innovative scaling-up of ecosystem restoration to maintain and enhance natural carbon sinks and other ecosystem services, with a view to significantly reducing the carbon and environmental footprint of Europe.
Expected impact 6
Increased restoration through uptake of public-private partnerships and market-based incentives for business and individuals within restoration initiatives, including as the result of trans-disciplinary research and stakeholder engagement to help identify co-funding for long-term maintenance and buy-in from the private sector.
Expected impact 7
Enhanced empowerment, engagement and reconnection of local communities with nature and increased social awareness on restoration actions, and their benefits.
Expected impact 8
Transformational change supporting a just transition based on investing in nature together with vulnerable communities improving their resilience against rapid changes in climate and environment, economies and social conditions.
Actions are expected to demonstrate how transformational change through ecosystem restoration delivers at large scale, delivering first visible results and examples on land and at sea by 2024, with benefits increasing in the long-term.
Expected impact 2
Maintained and enhanced natural carbon sinks and reduced greenhouse gas emissions through the important role of biodiversity, local reversal of the degradation of ecosystems, recovery of ecosystem functions, in-creased connectivity and resilience of ecosystems, and improved delivery of a range of ecosystem services.
Expected impact 3
The objectives of the European Green Deal, including the EU commitment to reduce emission by 50-55% by 2030 and become net carbon-neutral by 2050.
Expected impact 4
The implementation of relevant European and international initiative (e.g. EU Nature Directives, Farm-to-Fork Strategy, UN Decade of Restoration including land/sea degradation neutrality).
Expected impact 5
Widespread and innovative scaling-up of ecosystem restoration to maintain and enhance natural carbon sinks and other ecosystem services, with a view to significantly reducing the carbon and environmental footprint of Europe.
Expected impact 6
Increased restoration through uptake of public-private partnerships and market-based incentives for business and individuals within restoration initiatives, including as the result of trans-disciplinary research and stakeholder engagement to help identify co-funding for long-term maintenance and buy-in from the private sector.
Expected impact 7
Enhanced empowerment, engagement and reconnection of local communities with nature and increased social awareness on restoration actions, and their benefits.
Expected impact 8
Transformational change supporting a just transition based on investing in nature together with vulnerable communities improving their resilience against rapid changes in climate and environment, economies and social conditions.