ECO-SMART Market of Ecosystem services for an Advanced NATURA2K Area Protection Policy

By project IRENES

Published on 25 July 2022

Italy

Veneto

About this good practice

The ECO-SMART project addresses the challenge of improved capacity of monitoring climate change and planning appropriate adaptation measures to avoid negative effects undermining the quality of biodiversity in the areas NATURA2K.
The project mainly focuses on ecosystem services. It was thought to identify some actions to tackle climate change and establish adaptation measures require significant financial and technical resources.
1) A framework to assess the vulnerability to climate change of the involved NATURA2K areas,
2) Sustainable adaptation plans through PES models in 3 pilot application at NATURA2K network sites (2 in Italy and 1 in Slovenia);
3) A wide dissemination of harmonized procedures for the application of Ecosystem Services (ESS) approaches, and PES methods for the design of conservation of biodiversity in NATURA2K areas

The project led to a joint model of operational plans and a feasibility study of measures for adaptation to climate change.
This joint model analyses the feasibility of operational plans for climate change adaptation measures in particular highlights cooperation with local stakeholders and the feasibility analysis based on several criteria, covering both economic efficiency and the socio-environmental impact of these measures, including all benefits gained by local communities in case of implementation of the proposed measures.

Resources needed

The project was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund Interreg Italia-Slovenja
Total budget: € 858.546,61
ERDF Budget: € 729.764,59

Evidence of success

1) a database of ESS and of climate change effects;
2) an analysis of the most effective PES to finance measures to adapt to climate change in the NATURA2k areas;
3) ESS / PES / adaptation procedures applicable to other NATURA 2000k areas;
4) a harmonized system between ITA / SLO to address the effects of climate change on ecosystems;
5) 3 pilot applications of PES to facilitate the implementation of adaptation measures;
6) start-up of 3 adaptation plans for the protection of NATURA2K areas.

Potential for learning or transfer

The project explores the potential of PES models in the various pilot nature conservation areas, where additional financial resources from PES could be directed towards increased protection and improved educational content.