Press release, 15/05/2025

NbSAPI Launches to Standardize Data Sharing for Nature-Based Solutions

NbSAPI (Nature-based Solutions API) proudly announces the launch of its open API specification, designed to enable interoperability among tools that facilitate nature-based solutions (NbS) for both built and natural environments. By standardizing data-sharing mechanisms, NbSAPI aims to foster collaboration and innovation in addressing environmental challenges such as flood mitigation, drought resilience, urban heat reduction, and groundwater management.

Nature-based solutions are increasingly recognized as effective strategies for adapting to climate change while benefiting biodiversity and human well-being. However, the lack of standardized data exchange has been a major barrier to widespread implementation and scaling. NbSAPI addresses this gap by providing a unified framework that enables developers and technology providers to exchange data seamlessly across services and applications.

The key features of NbSAPI include the following:

• Standardized Data Sharing: Ensures interoperability by using a consistent data format.
• Adaptation Target Tracking: Enables querying and monitoring of adaptation targets across various domains and tools.
• Customizable Access Controls: Utilizes JWT-based authentication to protect sensitive data, giving users control over access.
• Seamless Integration: Compatible with FastAPI and other modern frameworks for easy adoption.
• Flexible Filters: Supports retrieval of data through bounding boxes, adaptation targets, and more.

Verification Tool for Trusted Implementations

To ensure transparency and alignment with the specification, the NbSAPI team has released the NbSAPI Verification Tool. This open-source utility helps organizations and developers verify that their implementations meet core specifications and data handling standards.

By running the verification suite, adopters can confirm API endpoint compliance with NbSAPI specifications, identify integration errors early in development, demonstrate a commitment to interoperability and data integrity and earn optional recognition as a verified adopter. The tool strengthens the growing NbSAPI ecosystem by promoting consistency and trust within the community.

In the meantime, NbSAPI is already being put into action. Geodesignhub, leader in geospatial planning and decision-support tools, has released the first public implementation of NbSAPI through their Local Climate Response App. This deployment enables structured, API-based access to climate adaptation projects utilizing NbS across urban and regional scales, showcasing how it can bridge planning workflows and data standards. Users can now search, analyze, and visualize local climate actions consistently and interoperably.

Voices from the Community

“With NbSAPI, we are creating a common digital language for nature-based solution data – one that makes it easier for tools, cities, to work together in tackling climate challenges. As the developer of the first implementation through our tree planting tool app, we’re proud to demonstrate how open APIs can accelerate real-world action.”

 – Hrishikesh Ballal, Co-Maintainer of NbSAPI & Managing Director of Geodesignhub

“There is an urgent need to build free, open tools to maximise the reach of Nature-based solutions; by allowing solution providers and cities to interoperate and to help shape these tools, we hope to drive the adoption of NbS by demonstrating the value of a common standard through NbSAPI.”

 – Stephan Hügel, Project Co-lead, NbSAPI

NbSAPI is designed with developers, urban planners, researchers, and environmental professionals in mind. By standardizing data sharing, it empowers users to build applications that effectively address environmental challenges, whether developing tools for flood risk assessment, urban heat reduction strategies, or broader sustainability initiatives.

As an open-source project, NbSAPI thrives on community engagement. Developers and organizations are encouraged to contribute to ongoing development, share feedback, and collaborate to enhance functionality. By fostering a collaborative environment, it aims to meet the dynamic needs of the NbS community. It’s way more than just an API – it’s a growing ecosystem of individuals and organizations committed to advancing nature-based solutions through technology.

If you are interested in getting involved, you can start by reading the documentation and start building, contributing on GitHub to shape future standards, joining community forums and discussions, collaborating with others to scale climate resilience and ecological sustainability. By taking these actions together, we can accelerate the deployment of innovative solutions that work with nature to meet today’s biggest environmental challenges.

About NbSAPI

NbSAPI is an open API initiative dedicated to standardizing data sharing for nature-based solutions. By enabling interoperability among diverse tools and platforms, it supports the development and implementation of effective environmental strategies addressing critical challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and urban resilience.

Contacts:

Project coordinator:

Elisabete Teixeira – UMINHO

coordinator@nbsinfra.eu

Project Management Officer:

Alice de Ferrari – ICONS

alice.deferrari@icons.it

Project website: https://nbsinfra.eu/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nbsinfra/

Through five City Labs, the NBSINFRA project explores how tailored, nature-based strategies can help cities face environmental challenges, restore ecosystems, and protect essential infrastructure and services

The NBSINFRA project has five city labs across Europe (Cologne, Fingal, Prague, Ruse, and Aveiro), each assessing how cities can handle different challenges and stay resilient through Nature-based Solutions. Each city focuses on solutions that not only reduce local risks like flooding or heatwaves, but also help restore ecosystems, support biodiversity, and strengthen urban infrastructure in a sustainable way.

To showcase the insights gathered from each City Lab, a dedicated booklet was created for every city. These booklets highlight practical examples of how nature-based approaches can support urban resilience and planning, offering localized learnings and guidance for policymakers, planners, and communities across Europe and beyond.

Elisabete Teixeira from UMINHO, coordinator of the NBSINFRA project, explains: “The NBSINFRA City Lab Booklets capture the first valuable findings from our five City Labs. They reflect the early stages of the project in co-creating Nature-based Solutions with local communities, tailored to each city’s specific challenges. While not final outcomes, these booklets offer a snapshot of the ongoing work and a foundation for future actions, serving as inspiration for others working toward more climate-resilient and sustainable cities.”

You can view and download the booklets here

Contacts:

Project coordinator:

Elisabete Teixeira – UMINHO

coordinator@nbsinfra.eu

Project Management Officer:

Alice de Ferrari – ICONS

alice.deferrari@icons.it

Project website: https://nbsinfra.eu/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nbsinfra/

The NBS Storytelling Toolkit is a free, interactive resource created by The Nature of Cities in collaboration with NBS EduWORLD. It is specifically designed for educators, youth leaders, scientists, and community organizers, empowering them to effectively use storytelling to make Nature-based Solutions more accessible, engaging, and inspiring.

The comics address global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, urban heat, and social justice, illustrating how working with nature can lead to sustainable solutions. Stories range from urban reforestation efforts to community-driven green spaces, aiming to inspire readers to envision and participate in creating a more resilient and nature-integrated world.

For more information and to view the comics ​

Journalistic article, 10 March 2025 

 Back to nature: restoring ecosystems to shield cities from climate threats  

As climate threats grow, cities are turning to Nature-based Solutions to safeguard urban life. By restoring natural ecosystems, they enhance resilience while reconnecting people with nature.  

By Gioia Salvatori 

In 1992, the city centre of Sarcelles, France, was submerged under a meter and a half of water after torrential rains. The culprit? The Petit Rosne River. Cemented, buried underground, it reclaimed the urban space it once freely flowed through. Years later, in 2014, the city began an ambitious project to dismantle the road and let the river breathe again. Today, the Petit Rosne meanders naturally through Sarcelles, creating green spaces for residents and habitats for wildlife, while also acting as a flood control mechanism. “This is an example of a Nature-based Solution (NbS) in an urban environment that I like to mention because it simply involves restoring nature,” says Susanna Gionfra, Senior Officer for Nature-based Solutions at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). “Once the initial expense is addressed, there isn’t much else to do: animal and plant species reclaim the area without much effort from humans.” 

This simple yet effective approach embodies the power of Nature-based Solutions—sustainable interventions that harness nature’s power to tackle societal challenges while enhancing human well-being and biodiversity. And as cities face increasing threats from climate change, these solutions are emerging as crucial tools for safeguarding critical infrastructure and building urban resilience. According to the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), NbS are actions “to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits”. The concept first emerged in the early 2000s, promoted by IUCN and the European Union as a response to climate change and disaster risks. Today, they are being adopted worldwide to mitigate carbon emissions, improve urban liveability and prevent catastrophic events. Indeed, according to the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Nature-based Solutions could contribute to 37% of global CO2 mitigation targets by 2030.  

Yet, as cities grow and climate threats inensify, a new question arises: can they protect critical urban infrastructure—the systems essential for societies to function during and after disasters, such as water supply, healthcare, energy and telecommunications? 

To explore this potential, the European project NBSINFRA is focusing on using NbS to protect urban critical infrastructure. “During catastrophic events such as flash floods, wildfires or earthquakes, critical infrastructure is the main support for societies during and after the event,” explains Elisabete Teixeira, PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Minho in Portugal and coordinator of NBSINFRA. “It needs to be as efficient as possible, but it also suffers from such events, so they need to be protected.” 

The project is being tested in five city-laboratories across Europe—each facing unique environmental challenges. For example, in Aveiro, known as the “Venice of Portugal” for its intricate canal system, flooding is a persistent threat. “The problem is that the canals are connected to the river and the ocean, and freshwater also flows into them. We are studying NbS that can, in the event of a flash flood, retain water or minimise the velocity of the water in the river,” says Teixeira. Meanwhile, in Prague, NbS solutions are being developed to tackle both heatwaves and heavy rainfall. Part of the project involves constructing hybrid green roofs fed by greywater and rainwater. “Green roofs in average reduce rainwater runoff by 50% and contributes to mitigating heat waves through water evaporation,” explains Michal Sněhota, Associate Professor at the Czech Technical University and leader for NBSINFRA in Prague. 

The hybrid green roof located at the UCEEB research centre

While NbS offer promising solutions, their implementation is not without challenges, particularly in urban areas where space is limited, and costs are high. “In cities, they have a higher cost. What we recommend is to implement them where there is already a foundation, just like in Sarcelles, by restoring and renaturing green areas,” says Gionfra. “A key challenge remains the higher maintenance costs associated with NSB compared to conventional grey infrastructure. To address this, a cost-benefit analysis should always be conducted to quantify long-term gains in resilience, ecosystem services and social wellbeing against the initial and operational expenses” say Sněhota and Licia Felicioni, architect and PhD researcher at Czech Technical University. For example, green roofs require regular maintenance, including fertilization and weeding, which can be costly. However, these costs could be outweighed by the benefits if implemented on a large scale, with a radical shift in urban development perspective. Economic challenges are significant as well, as public funding alone may not suffice. “We see the private sector as playing an important role in the upscaling of Nature-based Solutions, together with the public sector,” adds Gionfra. Moreover, effective NbS implementation requires a paradigm shift in urban planning. “Their impact is limited if we do not change our perspective to integrate them into broader contexts of interconnected green infrastructure. Additionally, there is the potential challenge with the misuse of the NbS term: in this context IUCN has been working to support the design and verification of Nature-based Solutions and has produced a global standard for this purpose,” explains Gionfra. 

While momentum for NbS is growing, Zahra Amirzada, Consultant on Natural Sciences at the UNESCO Liaison Office to the EU, highlights ongoing challenges, including policy coherence, funding and public perception. Key priorities involve developing standardised evaluation frameworks and educating the public about the benefits of NbS. In response, UNESCO is actively promoting advocacy campaigns and capacity building programmes while supporting NBSINFRA. “Another challenge is the need for robust scientific evidence and long-term monitoring. While the body of research on NbS effectiveness is growing, policymakers often demand quantifiable impact assessments before committing large-scale investment. This is why we support standardised evaluation frameworks that provide common indicators for measuring their impact,” says Amirzada. 

Despite these challenges, NbS enhance urban resilience by mitigating risks from natural hazards while also creating vibrant green spaces that improve social life and well-being. In Aveiro, green areas with soft mobility are being studied near waterways to contain floodwaters while offering recreational areas. “The idea is to create an ecosystem that is sustainable and pleasant for people,” says Teixeira. Similarly, in Prague, the green roof not only manages rainwater but also provides a corner of beauty and an urban oasis that cools the building during heatwaves.  

Crucially, NbS contribute to an often overlooked yet powerful benefit: happiness. Studies show that access to green spaces boosts mental health and wellbeing. Nature prescription is becoming more popular, and its positive impact on mental and physical wellbeing has been proven. During the pandemic, urban residents worldwide experienced the restorative power of nature firsthand. As cities continue to grow, integrating NbS offers a unique opportunity not only to protect critical infrastructure but also to create happier, healthier urban environments.  

Contacts: 

Project coordinator: 

Elisabete Teixeira – UMINHO  

coordinator@nbsinfra.eu 

Project Management Officer: 

Alice de Ferrari – ICONS 

alice.deferrari@icons.it  

Project website: https://nbsinfra.eu/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nbsinfra/ 

NBSINFRA partners reunited in Brussels to discuss project developments and policy insights, followed by strategic planning for the months ahead. 

On February 19th, NBSINFRA partners reunited in Brussels for a Steering Committee meeting hosted by UNESCO. The meeting focused on updates about the project, risk assessment, and evaluating the current landscape while strategizing for months ahead. The discussions also explored policy developments and NBSINFRA’s role within the EU agenda, with valuable insights from Félix Combreau (Policy Officer), Lodovico Folin Calabi (UNESCO Officer in Charge), and Alina Suhetzki (NBSINFRA Project Officer). 

Holding the meeting at UNESCO’s offices, with the Sustainable Development Goals prominently displayed on the walls, added profound significance to the discussions. The project’s alignment with these goals reinforced its broader impact, highlighting the shared vision for a more resilient and sustainable future. NBSINFRA fosters innovative solutions from researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, stimulating collaboration across sectors. “Integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) into disaster risk reduction, urban planning, and infrastructure development is no longer an option but a necessity for sustainable, future-proof societies” explained Lodovico Folin-Calabi, Director of UNESCO’s Liaison Office to the European Union. 

Looking ahead, NBSINFRA remains dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration to integrate Nature-Based Solutions across Europe. By connecting research, policy, and practice, the project is helping to shape the transition to climate-resilient, sustainable urban environments. 

Contacts: 

Project coordinator: 

Elisabete Teixeira – UMINHO  

coordinator@nbsinfra.eu 

Project Management Officer: 

Alice de Ferrari – ICONS 

alice.deferrari@icons.it  

Project website: https://nbsinfra.eu/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nbsinfra/ 

Over the past two weekends, a community co-creation workshop was held in Swords, Fingal, bringing together participants to explore innovative approaches to urban planning. Using the Geodesign framework in combination with Deliberative Democracy methods, the workshop aimed to incorporate diverse perspectives and collaboratively develop a sustainable, climate-resilient strategy to address pressing urban challenges.

During the two-day event, attendees engaged in interactive discussions, reflecting on Cartspot crowdmapping results to identify community risks and values. With guidance from facilitators and experts in urban planning, mobility, and environmental fields, participants collaboratively developed targeted solutions. These solutions were then negotiated and integrated into a comprehensive final strategy for Swords with the support of  Geodesignhub.

The workshop underscored the critical role of citizen engagement in the planning process, leveraging both digital and analog methods. The outcomes will inform the process of Swords Local Area Plan drafting, ensuring that local voices and insights are at the important part of spatial developments

Heartfelt gratitude goes out to all who shared their ideas, energy, and expertise. Special thanks to the project team from UCD, Fingal County Council, and Geodesignhub for their pivotal role in the success of this initiative!

NBSINFRA partner Amirmahdi Zarghami from Universidade do Minho was one of the panelists at the Disaster Research Days 2024 in Vienna (8-10 October) representing NBSINFRA. Among the event’s highlights was the panel discussion on “Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure through Disaster Research,” which emphasized the role of innovative solutions in building safer, more resilient communities.

The panel featured professionals who shared insights on integrating resilience and Nature-based Solutions into sustainable infrastructure projects. Discussions focused on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling today’s complex challenges and developing real-world strategies for safeguarding critical systems.

Disaster Research Days 2024 brought together leading experts in disaster resilience and infrastructure protection to address the urgent need for proactive strategies and collaborative research.

A detailed overview of NBSINFRA’s General Assembly in Prague: advancing resilient urban environments through innovative strategies and successful implementations 

On September 9-10, the General Assembly of NBSINFRA took place in Prague, Czechia hosted by project partners UCEEB (Czech Technical University in Prague University Center for Energy Efficient Buildings), and ECOTEN. The first day was dedicated to presentations and discussion sessions among partners, where the latest updates and the upcoming steps were shared. It also included a tour of the UCEEB facilities to observe the implemented Nature-based Solutions. As Elisabete Teixeira – NBSINFRA coordinator- shares: “The work being done at Prague City Lab is proof of the potential of nature-based solutions to transform urban environments. By integrating green infrastructure, we are shaping a future where cities can withstand climate challenges while creating healthier and more enjoyable spaces for their communities.” 

On the second day, the consortium visited the NBS implemented at the Českobrodská school, guided by Ing. Jiří Tencar from NBSINFRA partner ECOTEN. The school has undergone renovation and revitalization, making it a prime example of a sustainable, smart, energy efficient and operational carbon-positive building that harmoniously blends technology with nature. It has already received several awards. Among the implemented NBS are a green roof and vertical greenery providing shade, as well as greywater from washbasins and showers used for flushing toilets, and rainwater used for watering greenery. The water well will supply both systems when needed. Jiří Tencar notes: “The implemented NBS interventions fulfill the goal of maximizing drinking water savings. However, the NBS are part of a broader set of interventions that ensure the overall sustainability of the school.” 

The Prague City Lab is one of five city labs across Europe set up by NBSINFRA to explore how cities can address various challenges and remain resilient. Each city lab focuses on examining how NBS can safeguard local infrastructure, preserve biodiversity, and restore ecosystems in the face of climate change challenges. Through Nature-based Solutions, Prague’s goal is to enhance urban resilience against heavy rains, floods, and summer heatwaves while providing leisure spaces.   

NBSINFRA continues to lead the way across Europe following the strategies developed in its five City Labs, shaping future environments to be sustainable, resilient and green. 

Projects to Policy Seminar helps build bridges between researchers and policy makers to enhance Europe’s Security Policies and innovations 

On June 25-26, NBSINFRA participated in the Projects to Policy seminar in Brussels, a yearly event, organized by the European Research Agency (REA) and the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME).  

The seminar gathered all projects funded under the CL3 Secure Societies Call 2022, including NBSINFRA, with the aim to establish a two-way dialogue between the projects and the European Commission services. Participants had the chance to discover insights on how the projects can shape and support policy implementations. 

The seminar also included breakout sessions divided into four thematic areas: 

• Fighting Crime and Terrorism & Critical Infrastructure (FCT/INFRA) 

• Strengthened Security Research and Innovation (SSRI) 

• Disaster-Resilient Societies (DRS) 

• Border Management (BM) 

NBSINFRA was part of the ‘Fighting Crime and Terrorism & Critical Infrastructure (FCT/INFRA)’ breakout session. During this session, Elisabete Teixeira from UMINHO, the project coordinator, presented the project’s objectives, challenges, achievements, and next steps: “Participating in the Projects to Policy Seminar was incredibly valuable for NBSINFRA. It provided us with a unique platform to showcase our project’s progress and achievements, and to engage with policymakers and experts. The breakout sessions were fundamental to highlighting common challenges and fostering collaborations. The seminar underscored the importance of resilient societies and the role of Nature-based Solutions in enhancing Europe’s security policies and innovations. This event helped us establish future synergies that will contribute to a safer, more resilient Europe.” 

Oyku Dogan, from ICONS Foundation, presented their approach to dissemination and communication activities and upcoming steps regarding NBSINFRA. “When communicating the project, we need to consider all stakeholders and target audiences, including the citizens. That’s why we planned upcoming social media campaigns such as ‘Glossary’ to explain the project’s technical terms to the general public. While it is a way to simplify updates for them, it’s also effective in raising awareness. This is, of course, one of many activities planned.” 

For NBSINFRA, creating synergies with other high-risk themed projects was an essential outcome. The discussions provided an excellent opportunity for project coordinators and communicators to come together, identify common issues, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations. It was also a great occasion to learn more about the European Commission’s services that support the project results and communication and dissemination, while offering guidance regarding the policy-related outputs the policy Directorates-General are interested in. 

NBSINFRA partner Licia Felicioni, representing the Czech Technical University in Prague, delivered a literature review presentation on the utilization of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) to counter man-made hazards. Her presentation took place at the PLEA – Sustainable Architecture and Urban Design 2024 International Conference in Wrocław, Poland. 

The 2024 PLEA edition highlighted the urgent need to rethink urban spaces and built environments considering resilience and climate change, with a particular focus on heat stress. Felicioni et al.’s paper, titled “Nature-based solutions performance versus man-made hazards: a literature review for enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure,” investigates the effectiveness of NBS in safeguarding critical infrastructure against specific hazards. 

The study conducted a comprehensive literature review using various search engines to gather data and best practices on NBS and their impact on infrastructure resilience. The findings revealed that NBS can mitigate threats like terrorism and cyber-attacks, but they are also vulnerable to such hazards if not properly designed. This underscores the importance of thoughtful landscape design in addressing these needs. 

The research aligns with the NBSINFRA project which aims to bolster urban infrastructure resilience through NBS. The study provides robust foundation for exploring hazard mitigation strategies within Prague’s CityLab. 

The full paper is available in the published conference proceedings here.