Glasgow welcomes the world to explore the latest innovations in nature-based solutions

From 23-25 March, greenspace scotland and Glasgow City Council will be hosting the first Connecting Nature Innovation Summit. Glasgow will be [virtually] welcoming an international audience with speakers from across Europe.

Julie Procter, Chief Executive of greenspace scotland said:

“The Summit is bringing together an international audience to explore how we can shift to sustainable, greener cities that deliver for their citizens using nature-based solutions. It will share learning from the community of cities involved in Connecting Nature and introduce the innovative tools and methods being developed through the project.”

Nature-based solutions can be described as actions which help to tackle social, economic and environmental challenges such as health, climate change, water pollution and biodiversity loss by using natural or green infrastructure or methods, and in the process delivering wellbeing and biodiversity benefits. Examples of nature-based solutions range from the planting of trees and woodland to developing green urban areas, rain gardens and SUDS ponds.

Aileen Campbell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Communities will be delivering the Opening Address, she will say:

“The pandemic and the desire for a green recovery has prompted us to rethink our neighbourhoods, our towns, our cities and rural communities. To rethink how we live and to re-assess what is important to us. It is clear that nature-based solutions can offer us a different way of doing things that are sustainable, good for the soul and good for our wellbeing. 

“There is a chance now to start to do things differently, to embrace the positive change that we have seen and to build forward with activity to rebalance our economy and refocus on what matters - with people and good quality green places at its heart. We should seek to ensure our recovery is green.”

Each of the days of the summit has a different theme:

• On 23^rd March, the theme is Reducing The Risks, looking at nature-based solutions for biodiversity, climate change mitigation and adaptation, water management and extreme weather events
• On 24^th March, the theme is Healing Sick Cities, exploring nature-based solutions for health, wellbeing, place-based planning, human scale, food growing and food provision
• On 25^th March, the theme is Routes To Recovery, looking at nature-based solutions for a green recovery from the economic recession following Covid-19, nature-based skills, employability, enterprise and innovative finance

Dr Marcus Collier, Assistant Professor / Director of Research in the School of Natural Sciences at Trinity College, Dublin and Coordinator of Connecting Nature said:

“Connecting Nature is a five-year, €11.7m project funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 programme. We are bringing together cities, businesses and scientists to devise new ways to bring nature-based solutions into mainstream planning, design, management, and governance of cities. There are 31 partners in our project, from 18 different countries and there are four global hubs in Brazil, China, Korea and The Caucasus, with two more in development.

Over the last four years, our project team have devised and tested new methods and processes to realise the many co-benefits of nature in cities, and in doing so derive new innovations. We are part of a large family of EU-funded nature-based solutions projects and we are delighted to play a part in the growing acceptance of the nature-based solution approach globally.”

The Summit programme includes panel discussions, presentations, workshops and opportunities to connect with other delegates. Attendance is free and delegates can ‘pick-n-mix’ from a wide range of sessions to develop their own tailored and bespoke Summit programme.

Find more detail on the Connecting Nature Innovation Summit and check out late booking opportunities at: https://connectingnature.eu/connecting-nature-summit-series-innovation-summit