Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LAND4CLIMATE (UTILIZATION OF PRIVATE LAND FOR MAINSTREAMING NATURE-BASED SOLUTION IN THE SYSTEMIC TRANSFORMATION TOWARDS A CLIMATE-RESILIENT EUROPE)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-09-01 bis 2025-02-28
LAND4CLIMATE aims to deploy and demonstrate the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) on private land. NBS are inspired by nature or natural processes. They promise to enhance to the resilience of landscapes and urban settlements. But its implementation is still in its infancy, especially as these measures require more land that is often owned privately. With the focus on the implementation on private land, LAND4CLIMATE contributes to a more transformative, climate-resilient Europe.
LAND4CLIMATE designs and evaluates NBS on private land by implementing and scaling up with innovative land policy strategies for a in six study areas with associated replication areas in the continental biogeographical region of Europe: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Romania and Slovakia. Therefore, LAND4CLIMATE brings together a consortium of five universities, six local authorities at the local, regional and state levels authorities as well as representatives of national parks, actors in community development and urban planning as well as NGOs.
The main objective of LAND4CLIMATE is to co-design and validate NBS on private land. For achieving this goal, land policy and business models are applied, such as land readjustment schemes, strategic land leases and easements, reduction of development fees, etc., which activate private landowners to support the implementation of NBS. That way, more NBS on private land can be realized to ultimately reduce climate risks and increase climate resilience to beneficiaries (i.e. local communities that benefit from the effects of NBS). By involving not only local and regional authorities but also landowners (NBS providers) and local communities (NBS beneficiaries), these land policies and business models thus drive a systemic transformation of climate-resilient regions in Europe.
LAND4CLIMATE moves on four frontiers beyond state-of-the-art:
(1) It creates new knowledge emerging from an inter-systemic approach to climate resilience. Intersystemic approach describes the integration of water management systems, ecosystems, and systems of land use.
(2) It considers NBS not as individual measures but embedded in a large and complex system to be effective and efficient. Currently, research and practice on the implementation of NBS often focus on the realization of individual measures, often at small scales and on public land only.
(3) It puts the perspective of land central in the implementation of NBS – this is a major paradigm shift in the way NBS are realized hitherto. Hitherto, when NBS are to be implemented by public authorities, technical or hydrological issues are dealt with first before addressing land management, civil engineering, technical aspects, etc.
(4) The focus on private land is highly innovative and new. Property in land is in Europe constitutionally very well protected. Accordingly, interventions in private land uses are complex, lengthy, and expensive. The focus on “private” land is used deliberately to emphasize the tension between the public interest and the private interest.
These ambitions build not only on the latest knowledge on climate change, NBS, and land policy, of which the members of the consortium have key expertise, but LNAD4CLIMATE engages with the knowledge and experience from the previous projects. These projects include, among others, the Cost Action LAND4FLOOD, Horizon2020 projects Operandum, I-Change and Sim4Nexus, Espon Titan, and the CLEVER Cities project.
LAND4CLIMATE designs and evaluates NBS on private land by implementing and scaling up with innovative land policy strategies for a in six study areas with associated replication areas in the continental biogeographical region of Europe: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Romania and Slovakia. Therefore, LAND4CLIMATE brings together a consortium of five universities, six local authorities at the local, regional and state levels authorities as well as representatives of national parks, actors in community development and urban planning as well as NGOs.
The main objective of LAND4CLIMATE is to co-design and validate NBS on private land. For achieving this goal, land policy and business models are applied, such as land readjustment schemes, strategic land leases and easements, reduction of development fees, etc., which activate private landowners to support the implementation of NBS. That way, more NBS on private land can be realized to ultimately reduce climate risks and increase climate resilience to beneficiaries (i.e. local communities that benefit from the effects of NBS). By involving not only local and regional authorities but also landowners (NBS providers) and local communities (NBS beneficiaries), these land policies and business models thus drive a systemic transformation of climate-resilient regions in Europe.
LAND4CLIMATE moves on four frontiers beyond state-of-the-art:
(1) It creates new knowledge emerging from an inter-systemic approach to climate resilience. Intersystemic approach describes the integration of water management systems, ecosystems, and systems of land use.
(2) It considers NBS not as individual measures but embedded in a large and complex system to be effective and efficient. Currently, research and practice on the implementation of NBS often focus on the realization of individual measures, often at small scales and on public land only.
(3) It puts the perspective of land central in the implementation of NBS – this is a major paradigm shift in the way NBS are realized hitherto. Hitherto, when NBS are to be implemented by public authorities, technical or hydrological issues are dealt with first before addressing land management, civil engineering, technical aspects, etc.
(4) The focus on private land is highly innovative and new. Property in land is in Europe constitutionally very well protected. Accordingly, interventions in private land uses are complex, lengthy, and expensive. The focus on “private” land is used deliberately to emphasize the tension between the public interest and the private interest.
These ambitions build not only on the latest knowledge on climate change, NBS, and land policy, of which the members of the consortium have key expertise, but LNAD4CLIMATE engages with the knowledge and experience from the previous projects. These projects include, among others, the Cost Action LAND4FLOOD, Horizon2020 projects Operandum, I-Change and Sim4Nexus, Espon Titan, and the CLEVER Cities project.
WP1
In the first month of the project, WP 1 delivered a methodology for the inclusion of NBS efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the risks associated with hydro-meteorological hazards and indicators for the quantification. The highlight of the methodology is the possibility to tailor it to the specific requirements of the selected NBS, the target area of intervention, and the target hazard.
WP2
In WP2 a methodology was elaborated for the inclusion of NBS efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the risks associated with hydro-meteorological hazards and indicators for the quantification. The highlight of the methodology is the possibility to tailor it to the specific requirements of the selected NBS, the target area of intervention, the target hazard.
WP3
The basis for deciding on the suitability of NBS on private land in terms of locational decision, targeting the cause-effect relation, and effectiveness, efficiency, legitimacy and justice is a complex issue. The developed guidance documents narrow down the focus and structure the data collection. Innovative land policies and policy instruments not grounded in public funding and ownership only are viable ways to speed up NBS implementation.
WP4
Capacity-building initiatives were launched, with a stakeholder needs assessment in progress and peer-to-peer learning events facilitating knowledge exchange. The first peer-to-peer event, held in January 2025, enabled six regions to share implementation experiences and challenges. Next steps include finalizing implementation plans, initiating pilot projects, and developing the report based on the stakeholder needs assessment.
WP5
In the first reporting term of the project, WP5 implemented the reflexive monitoring tool for FRRs, enabling real-time tracking and informed decision-making. Alignment was coordinated between replication guidelines (T5.2) and capacity building strategy for RRs (T5.4) through complementary tools and training programs targeting both EU and global replication regions.
WP6
The implementation of the dissemination and communication strategy, as well as the creation of the LAND4CLIMATE brand identity (including project logo, templates, presentation), has resulted in the establishment of a strong online presence, utilising both the website and social media. Furthermore, the project is producing video interviews and infographics to enhance its visibility among a broader audience. At the local level, tailored communication plans have been developed for each Frontrunner region to ensure local outreach, and these have been supported by the Lead Partner also with the production of customised communication materials e.g. posters and brochures.
In the first month of the project, WP 1 delivered a methodology for the inclusion of NBS efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the risks associated with hydro-meteorological hazards and indicators for the quantification. The highlight of the methodology is the possibility to tailor it to the specific requirements of the selected NBS, the target area of intervention, and the target hazard.
WP2
In WP2 a methodology was elaborated for the inclusion of NBS efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the risks associated with hydro-meteorological hazards and indicators for the quantification. The highlight of the methodology is the possibility to tailor it to the specific requirements of the selected NBS, the target area of intervention, the target hazard.
WP3
The basis for deciding on the suitability of NBS on private land in terms of locational decision, targeting the cause-effect relation, and effectiveness, efficiency, legitimacy and justice is a complex issue. The developed guidance documents narrow down the focus and structure the data collection. Innovative land policies and policy instruments not grounded in public funding and ownership only are viable ways to speed up NBS implementation.
WP4
Capacity-building initiatives were launched, with a stakeholder needs assessment in progress and peer-to-peer learning events facilitating knowledge exchange. The first peer-to-peer event, held in January 2025, enabled six regions to share implementation experiences and challenges. Next steps include finalizing implementation plans, initiating pilot projects, and developing the report based on the stakeholder needs assessment.
WP5
In the first reporting term of the project, WP5 implemented the reflexive monitoring tool for FRRs, enabling real-time tracking and informed decision-making. Alignment was coordinated between replication guidelines (T5.2) and capacity building strategy for RRs (T5.4) through complementary tools and training programs targeting both EU and global replication regions.
WP6
The implementation of the dissemination and communication strategy, as well as the creation of the LAND4CLIMATE brand identity (including project logo, templates, presentation), has resulted in the establishment of a strong online presence, utilising both the website and social media. Furthermore, the project is producing video interviews and infographics to enhance its visibility among a broader audience. At the local level, tailored communication plans have been developed for each Frontrunner region to ensure local outreach, and these have been supported by the Lead Partner also with the production of customised communication materials e.g. posters and brochures.
Already within negotiation with private land owner LAND4CLIMATE project spreads awareness about nature-based solutions leading to climate resilient landscapes and ecosystems. Together the project leaders and farmers are looking for a compromise between water regime revitalization and further agricultural land use.