Presentation by Mr. Marco Beroš, Lead Engineer, Water Management Division, EIB

1. Mainstreaming nature-based solutions
in the financing of water projects
Marco Beroš
Lead Engineer, Water Division
Projects Directorate
28.06.2023
2023 EU4Environment Water & Data Workshop on Financing
Water and Environment in EaP Countries
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2. Content
1. EIB’s Support to EU’s Biodiversity strategy
2. Nature-based solutions (NbS)
3. Project examples with NbS
4. Issue for discussion: rebuilding Kakhovka dam?
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3. 1. EIB’s Support to EU’s Biodiversity Strategy
1.1 EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 as part of the EU Green Deal
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Most relevant targets for the water sector:
• protect at least 30% of land and sea areas,
• 50% decrease of chemical pesticide use,
• restoration of at least 25,000 km of rivers into free-flowing rivers*,
• 20% reduction of fertiliser use,
• restoration of marine ecosystems to a good environmental status,
• improving water quality by reducing waste, plastic litter at sea by 50%,
• Reduction of microplastics released into the environment by 30%;
*EIB sponsors the
DAM REMOVAL EUROPE AWARD

4. 2. Nature-based Solutions
2.1 Why do our clients implement Nature-based Solutions (NbS)?
• Better acceptance than classical “grey infrastructure”;
• Prevent loss of biodiversity;
• Often cheaper to build than “grey infrastructure”;
• Less maintenance cost;
However, NbS attract only 3% of global climate funding.
(Source: New handbook: nature-based solutions for water security (europa.eu)
But what actually are nature-based solutions?
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5. 2. Nature-based Solutions
2.2 Some definitions
• European Commission: “Solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which
are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic
benefits and help build resilience; such solutions bring more, and more diverse,
nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes,
through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions.” “Nature-
based solutions must benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of
ecosystem services.” Nature-based solutions (europa.eu)
• IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature): “Actions to protect,
sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, in ways that
address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing
human well-being and biodiversity benefits”. (2018) IUCN Global Standard for
Nature-based Solutions : first edition - resource | IUCN
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6. 2. Nature-based Solutions
2.3 IUCN’s eight criteria for Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
1) NbS effectively address one or more societal challenges (e.g. disaster risk reduction, food security,
water security, health);
2) Design of NbS is informed by scale (e.g. the minimum size of an ecosystem for it to function,
reasoning on river basin level);
3) NbS result in a net gain to biodiversity and ecosystem integrity (e.g. no monoculture!);
4) NbS are economically viable;
5) NbS are based on inclusive, transparent and empowering governance processes (taking into
consideration all stakeholders);
6) NbS equitably balance trade-offs between achievement of their primary goal(s) (e.g. conservation
of a species) and the continued provision of multiple benefits (e.g. tourism, agriculture);
7) NbS are managed adaptively, based on evidence;
8) NbS are sustainable and mainstreamed within an appropriate jurisdictional context (with reference
to the SDGs and to framework documents, such national or regional plans);
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7. 3. Project Examples with NbS
Case study 1: The Emscher project (Germany), Europe’s largest river restoration (EUR 5.2 Bn, of
which EUR 1.85 Bn financed by the EIB)
The Emscher and its tributaries had been turned into open sewers during Industrialisation in the
19th century. Political decision for clean-up in 1991.
Concept:
• 4 main WWTP (total capacity: 4.95
M P.E.)
• 3 main pumping stations + 127
smaller PS
• 1 tunnel collector + 370 km of other
collectors
• 345 km of restored rivers and creeks
Global cost breakdown:
• 80% Wastewater collection & treatment,
• 15% restoration works
• 5% flood prevention
Source: EG
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8. 3. Project Examples with NbS
Case study 1 (cont.): The Emscher project’s impact on biodiversity
Increase in overall number of
species of invertebrates: +280
(170 in 1990; 450 in 2020)
Emschergroppe
(local variant of
Cottus rhenanus)
remained only in
Boye creek;
successfully re-
introduced in other
locations
Kingfisher is back!
Increase in aquatic
species 2006-2019
Source: EG
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9. 3. Project Examples with NbS
Before
After
Lessons learned after 30 years of river restoration of the Emscher and its tributaries:
• Nature (based solution) takes time: 10 years or more,
• Emscher will never be a natural river (treated effluent content, persistent soil pollution, no full
continuity due to infrastructure),
• Extensive stakeholder consultation pays off: not a single NGO complaint in 30 years.
“Step stone approach” Ecological
focus areas
Protected
areas
Source: EG
Case study 1 (cont.): Limits of Nature-based or Hybrid Solutions
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10. 3. Project Examples with NbS
Case study 1 (cont.): Flood protection components
Before
After
Source: EG
Flood polder in Dortmund Mengede: first test in 2021
Main technical data:
• 30 Flood retention basins (3.8 million m³)
• 47 rain water storage basins (450,000 m³)
• 1,800 ha disconnected from storm water collection systems so far
After:Phoenix Lake
Before:Steelworks
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11. 3. Project Examples with NbS
Case study 2: EAU DE PARIS BIODIVERSITY- NCFF (France)
Before
After
Project cost: EUR 5 m
Loan Amount: EUR 3.75 m
Project: The Project is comprised of schemes responding to the Biodiversity Strategy of Eau de
Paris being implemented as part of its multiannual investment programme for the period 2021 to
2025. It includes restoring river connectivity around hydraulic structures and various schemes for
enhancing biodiversity on areas under EDP influence or ownership.
Contribution to strategic objectives:
• Climate Action and Environmental
Sustainability: 100%
• Environmental Sustainability: 100%
• Climate Action: 50%
NBS measures used to enhance water security:
• Protection or restoration of wetlands used for
water abstraction,
• Restoration of creeks and small rivers previously
modified (deepened) to drain surrounding areas,
• Creation of buffer zones along fields to absorb
excess nitrate. Well field in a Natura 2000 area in
Montreuil (Eure-et-Loir Dépt.)
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12. 4. Issue for discussion: rebuilding Kakhovka dam?
On June 6, 2023 the Kakhovka Dam on Dnipro River was destroyed. Is it
meaningful to rebuild it?
Before
After
Purpose:
• Irrigation
• Inland navigation
• Energy: hydropower and cooling
• Flood control
• Water supply
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13. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
For more information please contact :
Marco Beroš (m.beros@eib.org),
phone +352 43 79 827 48
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
http://www.eib.org/