Accounting for the ecosystem services generated by Nature-based Solutions to measure urban resilience : a methodological proposal

An ecosystem services-based approach can constitute the analytical basis to develop a multipurpose framework able to identify and assess the multi-benefits generated by nature-based solutions (NBS). An ecosystem services analytical framework goes beyond individual sustainability- related issues and beyond the traditional mono-sectoral view, such as: water and waste management, urban regeneration, transport, energy efficiency in buildings, resilience and climate change in a separate way. All these issues have in fact ecosystem services as a common denominator, but it is not currently possible to synoptically consider the results across different sectoral themes.

This paper shows how an ecosystem services framework can link all these sectoral issues and how an accounting frame for ecosystem services can be built. First an ecosystem services classification specifically for the NBS at the local scale for the urban contexts is tailored. Second, an attempt is made to build ecosystem services accounts within the official accounting frames currently developed. Finally, an illustrative example is presented to show how the whole accounting frame work to assess resilience, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and risk management based on the presence (absence) of NBS. [Publisher's Text]