SHIFT Climate Papers: Nature-Based Solutions and SuDS for Water Management

Nature-Based Solutions are no longer experimental; they are proven strategies for making cities and landscapes more resilient.

As an active contributor to SHIFT, Italy’s multi-stakeholder platform bringing together utilities, businesses, research institutions and public authorities to advance the climate transition, LAND Italia contributed to the first Dossier of the SHIFT Climate Papers.  Building on a dedicated workshop that brought together policymakers, experts and members of the SHIFT Working Group, the publication explores how NbS and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) can move from successful pilot projects to become the new standard for water-sensitive urban planning.

Combining the latest European and Italian policy frameworks with best-practice case studies, including LAND’s Parco Gavoglio in Genoa, the publication examines environmental impacts, cost-benefit considerations, governance challenges and financing mechanisms.

The paper concludes with policy recommendations to accelerate the large-scale implementation of Nature-based approaches for water management, climate adaptation and resilient territorial development.