Nature-based Solutions for climate resilience
Denver (Colorado, USA), June 20, 2025. During the Watershed Summit, an international benchmark event for sustainable water resource management, ARCADIA was presented through the talk titled “Multipurpose Watershed Management with Nature-based Solutions: the Arcadia Project and in the field experiences”, which promotes the adoption of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation and integrated watershed management.
After exploring local Nature-Based solutions for water treatment and harvesting, the Irrigation Consortium for the Emilia Romagna Canal (CER), illustrated the initiatives carried out in the project, including the co-innovation Lab 3, located in Emilia-Romagna (ITA) and the co-innovation Lab 2 in Helsingborg (SW).
The former area is characterized by hydrogeological instability and the capabilities and benefits of Nature-based solutions such as Forested-Infiltration Areas are being tested. These interventions integrate reforestation, aquifer recharge, slope stabilization, and biomass valorization, contributing to improved water quality and quantity.
The presentation also featured complementary experiences, such as that of Helsingborg, Sweden, where for over thirty years green and blue infrastructures have been implemented, including two-stage ditches, which enhance water retention, increase agricultural resilience, and support high-biodiversity habitats.
These interventions are part of ARCADIA’s transnational laboratory “Blue-Green Network for Climate Adaptation and Biodiversity”, running from 2025 to 2026.