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First Annual Meeting of the NbS Italy Hub

From November 19 to 21, 2024, Palermo hosted the First Annual Meeting of the NbS Italy Hub, bringing together experts, academics, institutions, and professionals in the field of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). The event provided an opportunity to discuss the progress, challenges, and potential of NbS for biodiversity, natural ecosystem management, and urban regeneration in Italy. Participants included the European Commission, the Ministry of Environment and Economic Development, the Region of Sicily, the Municipality of Genoa, IUCN, EFI, EFB, AIPIN, the Nature Positive Network, and the Monte Pellegrino Nature Reserve. The Hub’s partners, including CNR-IRET and the Universities of Bologna, Florence, Padua, Tuscia, and the Polytechnic University of Milan, contributed to the dialogue and shared innovative projects. The Municipality of Palermo and the University of Palermo discussed local policies and the integration of NbS in urban planning, focusing on benefits for the Sicilian territory.

The event occurred in significant venues such as the Modern Art Gallery, the Botanical Garden, Villa Niscemi, the Favorita Park, and the Verdura Theatre, offering an ideal setting combining culture, science, and nature. The program, divided into three days, included interactive activities and plenary sessions on topics such as territorial regeneration and education on NbS. The third day included an urban excursion to explore points of interest. The meeting represented an important step in promoting NbS in Italy. It aimed to engage local and international stakeholders in adopting sustainable practices to tackle global environmental challenges. There was a clear intention to strengthen collaborations between the scientific, political, and business sectors for a more resilient future in the face of climate change.

The event was supported by the Municipality of Palermo, the National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), and the patronage of the University of Palermo, in collaboration with CNR-IRET and the University of Tuscia. The University of Tuscia was represented by Professor Chiara Baldacchini from the Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Vice-Coordinator of the Hub.

For more information: www.nbsitalyhub.it

Check here the full press release