Contributing to European policy processes
The general aim of OpenNESS is to identify options and to address obstacles and knowledge gaps related to mainstreaming the concepts of ecosystem services and natural capital into EU policy making. The work package on regulatory frameworks and drivers of change addresses this by examining how existing and forthcoming EU regulatory frameworks can enhance or restore the benefits derived from ecosystem services and natural capital using multi-scale scenario approaches.
On this webpage you find policy-related events, documents and news published or organized within the framework of OpenNESS.
Policy day "Innovating with nature"
On 1 March 2016, OpenNESS together with the OPERAs project and the European Commission DG Research & Innovation, organised a policy day on natural capital and ecosystem services for sustainable EU policies. This policy day was organised under the auspices of EU Presidency and with contribution from the European Parliament Intergroup on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development. Watch the summary video:
OpenNESS policy briefs
- Brief no. 01 - Benefiting from ecosystem services: towards a shared understanding
- Brief no. 02 - Towards sustainable nature-based solutions: research to enhance the systemic transition (or pdf version)
- Brief no. 03 - Integrating nature-based solutions in urban planning (or pdf version)
- Brief no. 04 - EU bioenergy policies at the crossroad
See also the OPERAs policy briefs
Articles
- The journey of a data point
This article describes the journey from data to decision making and is based on experiences and observations in dealing with the complex political European framework. It gives some insights in how science can influence policymaking. - Paper on the policy analysis (download the annexes)
This OpenNESS deliverable assesses how existing EU regulatory frameworks (= policy) addresses ecosystem services explicitly or implicitly. - Nature-Based Solutions for Europe's Sustainable Development
This paper by OpenNESS partners Joachim Maes and Sander Jacobs outlines the basics of a nature-based scenario for Europe, and proposes criteria to focus, guide, and evaluate the implementation of nature-based solutions, geared at production of wide socioeconomic benefits, provision of jobs, and low-carbon technology innovations.
Latest news items
- Oppla all set to serve European projects
- Research to support innovating with nature
- Integrating nature into circular economy »
- Ecosystem services for nature, people and prosperity »
- Putting nature into business, bank and government equations »
- Writing effective policy briefs »
Oppla: Collaborate • Innovate • Communicate
Oppla is a new virtual hub where the latest thinking on nature-based solutions is brought together from across Europe. It is the final product of and a joint activity between OpenNESS and the OPERAs project and will be fully launched in 2017.
Download the Oppla policy brief 'Enabling decision-making on services offered by nature' »
Oppla will provide access to a wide range of resources, drawn from the most innovative communities of science, policy and practice. It has ambition to grow into Europe’s foremost platform for sharing environmental knowledge, where the outputs of research can achieve greater impact. It will feature a marketplace for promoting products, services and finding new customers. It will also feature a range of networking services, helping members to collaborate and work together in developing good practice.
European ecosystem services conference
During the final OpenNESS conference 'Helping nature to help us' more than 600 participants from all over the world made their way to the University of Antwerp to debate and learn more about how nature contributes to human well-being and vice versa. The conference took place in Antwerp, Belgium, from 19-23 September 2016, and was jointly organised by OpenNESS, OPERAs, ECOPLAN and the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP). It resulted in the Antwerp Declaration, a call to integrate ecosystem services into policy and business operation.
Go to the conference website »