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Environmental effects and governance of green transition and nature-based solutions

Nature’s processes and organisms must be part of the solution to environment al problems, as e.g. biological control agents, and Nature will always respond to the changes. Currently, a range of technologies, products and solutions are developed with the aim to contribute and support the green transition and nature-based solutions. However, at the same time the environmental responses to implementation of many of these policy and techniques changes are depending on the state of the environment. There are many examples, e.g.  the quality of water being discharged or reused, responses to removing raw material such as straw from the ecosystem, to introducing e.g. biochar or microorganisms to the surrounding environment, or to changes in soil management and cultivation  When developing and implementing new elements into the ecosystem and food webs, it is important that it is both financially attractive and socio-economically and environmentally sustainable.

We investigate how green transition can be supported by nature-based solutions and circular solutions in the bioeconomy. This includes  a specific focus on ecosystem processes, and how the indigenous organisms, processes and activities of the environment can contribute to a green and sustainable transition.

Land managers need to contribute to green transition and nature-based solutions by multifunctional land management. Increasing urbanization poses wide challenges worldwide for environmental and human health. The integration of decentralized approaches, such as nature-based solutions and green infrastructure, into existing centralized infrastructure is essential for establishing a sustainable circular water economy.

Environmental governance affect development and implementation of techniques and products. Relevant research questions within environmental governance include: how are policies integrated between sectors and between administrative levels to promote green transition? How are e.g. farmers behaving in response to new political demands regarding soil management? How are households responding to new demands regarding e.g. waste sorting, purchase of new products etc.? The design of policy instruments and programmes that can act as cost-effective, legitimate and innovative incentives for environmental protection and green transition are crucial. 


Participating science teams and researchers: