Pathways for Transformation in the Alps

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are proposed as a sustainable alternative to tackle climate change

mitigation and adaptation while supporting biodiversity conservation. However, to address these

challenges at the necessary speed, a transformation at personal, political and practical levels is

required around NbS. PORTAL project identified over 100 NbS in a diversity of social-ecological settings

across the Alps that served as the basis for multiple analyses. The project quantified the contributions

of NbS to biodiversity and ecosystem services including climate regulation, flood control, heatwaves

mitigation and erosion control and found that the economic value of the ecosystem services delivered

by NbS was three times higher than the cost of NbS implementation. The levers and barriers of the

implementation of NbS were identified for different contexts. Compared to a set of indicators on

climatic vulnerability, the project found that NbS are not geographically located in the most vulnerable

places. Accordingly, the project identified optimal areas in the Alps for the future implementation of

NbS, particularly in relation to the recently approved EU Nature Restoration Law. Through 10 peerreviewed

scientific publications, 14 communications at conferences, 3 invited talks, 1 policy-brief, and

several communications targeting the broad public the project has shown the potential for

transformative change and the transition towards sustainability through NbS.