Analyse biodiversity benefits of Nature-based Solutions and opportunities for their integration into the development of climate and other plans

ROADMAP PROGRESS

The 2025 GARI reports that the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into climate planning across the WB6 rests on a clearly articulated regional policy framework. The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, aligned with the European Green Deal, the EU Adaptation Strategy (2021) and the WB6 Climate Adaptation Roadmap, explicitly includes NbS actions within both its climate and biodiversity pillars, providing for preparation of the WB6 Forest Landscape Restoration Plan and for analysis of the biodiversity benefits of NbS. At EU level, the 2021 EU Adaptation Strategy dedicates a specific section to promoting NbS for adaptation and provides for continued assistance through assessments, guidance, capacity building and EU funding.

NbS in the Western Balkans Six context covers a broad spectrum of approaches, including forest restoration, wetland conservation, sustainable agriculture, green urban infrastructure and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction, which together deliver climate resilience, biodiversity protection and socio-economic co-benefits. Despite growing recognition of their value, the assessment finds that their application in the region remains insufficient and fragmented, and their benefits still systematically undervalued relative to conventional engineered solutions. The IUCN Forest Restoration initiative is the primary vehicle for advancing NbS analysis and integration, building on the knowledge base established by ADAPT 1.0 (2019 to 2024). Through scoping studies, pilot implementation in Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, and development of the WB6 Forest Landscape Restoration Plan, the project is generating the evidence base needed to embed NbS systematically into domestic and regional climate plans, disaster risk reduction strategies and sectoral policies. Its work at the Gledić Mountains site in Serbia, the Shushica/Elbasan site in Albania and the Bukovikj site in North Macedonia provides concrete, replicable models for NbS deployment.

Note: Action 54 of the first Green Agenda Action Plan (2021–2030) is not retained as a separate action in the Revised Action Plan (2025–2030), as its objectives are addressed through broader actions on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, and climate adaptation.