A Framework for the Integration of Nature-Based Solutions into Environmental Risk Management Strategies

Cristian Accastello, Simone Blanc and Filippo Brun
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Cristian Accastello: Department of Agriculture, Forest and Food Science (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
Simone Blanc: Department of Agriculture, Forest and Food Science (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
Filippo Brun: Department of Agriculture, Forest and Food Science (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: Mountainous areas are expected to face increasing societal pressure due to mass tourism and the rising intensity and frequency of natural hazards triggered by climate change. Therefore, the development of proper strategies for the management of environmental risks will be crucial to ensure their liveability. Against this backdrop, concepts such as territorial resilience and Social–Ecological Systems (SES) can support the prioritisation of protective efforts. This paper presents a conceptual framework to be applied to areas subject to natural hazards. Its aim is to support the integration of different measures, with a special focus on protection forests and other Nature-based Solutions, into current risk management strategies. The framework considers (i) the definition of SES boundaries; (ii) the identification of the main goals to be achieved; (iii) the quantification of the supply and demand of the ecosystem protection service; and (iv) the development of risk management strategies able to include the management of protection forests among the adopted solutions. This framework is intended as a tool to be adopted by local and regional decision-makers as a tool to identify the areas at risk, to recognise the potential role of protection forests, and to operationalise the concept of resilience through the deployment of “grey-green” strategies.

Keywords: nature-based solutions; protection forest; resilience; risk mitigation; social–ecological system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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