Italiano
3/12/2024
On November 19th, 20th, and 21st, 2024, the city of Palermo hosted the First Annual Meeting of the NbS Italy Hub, an event that brought together experts, academics, institutional representatives, and professionals in the field of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the progress, future challenges, and potential of NbS for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and urban regeneration in Italy.
Participants included, among others, the European Commission, the Ministry of Environment and Economic Development, the Region of Sicily, the Municipality of Genoa, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the European Forest Institute (EFI), the European Federation of Green Roof and Green Wall Associations (EFB), the Italian Association for Parks and Nature (AIPIN), the Nature Positive Network, and the Monte Pellegrino Nature Reserve. The attending guests engaged in dialogue with the Hub’s partners from the coordinating body, the National Research Council – Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems (CNR-IRET), the Universities of Bologna, Florence, Padua, and Tuscia, the Politecnico di Milano, as well as the Po River District Basin Authority, the Municipalities of Palermo and Turin, and the Metropolitan City of Milan.
Representatives of the Municipality of Palermo, together with the University of Palermo, also shared insights on local policies and the integration of NbS into urban planning, highlighting the tangible benefits for the Sicilian territory.
The event venues, including the Modern Art Gallery, the Botanical Garden, Villa Niscemi, Parco della Favorita, and the Teatro della Verdura, provided an ideal setting to merge culture, science, and nature.
The program, structured over three days, included interactive activities and presentations of innovative projects, fostering discussion on NbS topics.
The first day was dedicated to the Meeting of NbS Italy Hub partners, promoting collaboration among key stakeholders in the sector.
The second day featured two plenary sessions: the first, titled “Rebirth and Renewal with Nature,” explored the opportunities of NbS for territorial regeneration, with two panel discussions on NbS policies in Italy and education and training in this field. The second session, “Natura naturans and Palermo’s ‘urban nature’: Possible Routes and Reconnections,” examined the connection between nature and Palermo’s structure, addressing topics such as green infrastructure, biodiversity, and the enhancement of the city’s natural heritage.
The third day included an urban excursion, allowing participants to explore key locations such as Villa Niscemi, the Teatro della Verdura, and Parco della Favorita.
The First Annual Meeting of the NbS Italy Hub marked a significant step in promoting NbS in Italy, aiming to raise awareness and engage local and international stakeholders in adopting sustainable practices to tackle global environmental challenges. The event underscored the commitment to strengthening collaborations among scientific, political, and business sectors for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
For more information about the event, or to download shared materials, please visit the official NbS Italy Hub website.
The event was made possible thanks to the contribution of the Municipality of Palermo and the National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), with the patronage of the University of Palermo. The organization was supported by CNR-IRET and the University of Tuscia.
Further event details