Developing Nature-Based Solutions in Wales
What are the barriers to developing nature-based solutions in Wales?
In this session participants were encouraged to consider the reasons why work on nature- based solutions might not be developing in the way, or at the pace, that we would hope.
Conceptual barriers to action
The main conceptual issues referred to were the problems of conflicts of interest and the reliance on action by private landowners.
The conflicts of interest that arise in the context of NBS were viewed as most apparent with respect to the desire to address the nature crisis and the need for housing development and agriculture. It was also noted that conflicts of interest can arise between different NBS such as tree planting and peatland restoration and between different species in the context of rewilding. A further consideration in relation to NBS was the conflict between national and local priorities. Private ownership of land is significant because this accounts for much of the land on which NBS will be developed. Where this is the case, it was noted that interventions will depend on a willingness on the part of the landowner to develop the activity or at least support external agencies in doing so. This will require significant negotiation. A lack of skills, experience and incentives to offer in this respect were all also considered to be important barriers.
Problems with Key Drivers of Behaviour
In addition, to more general conceptual barriers to action it was noted that there are several problems with current drivers of behaviour for the development of NBS.
• Information and education – The first step in developing NBS is to develop a better understanding of what NBS are and why they are important. This information and education needs to extend to policy makers, politicians and the wider public. Participants noted that this should convey the complexity of NBS and avoid oversimplification. In particular, it is necessary to understand that ‘proof’ of the success of NBS is difficult and should be approached differently to other policy interventions. This information should also be clearly evidence-based, and this will require further investment in research. It was noted that this evidence base could be supported by a national register of pilot projects with respect to NBS.
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