WASHINGTON, D.C. – Leaders from public, private and governmental organizations met at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine on February 7-8, 2024 to discuss policy and development of nature-based solutions (NbS). The first National Policy Forum was held to provide opportunities for policymakers, regulatory bodies, and practitioners to discuss the necessary policy reforms and institutional changes required to mainstream the use of NbS.
Over the course of the two-day forum, participants worked through sessions with four main focus areas related to advancing NbS including 1) financing NbS; 2) innovations in permitting with considerations for comprehensive benefit-cost analysis; 3) the importance of equity and justice; and 4) international case studies and partnerships. Attendees spoke highly of NbS concepts throughout the Forum, highlighting cost-efficiency, collaboration across sectors, business acumen and environmental co-benefits.
Along with 200 in-person attendees, the event garnered over 1600 online views across the two days, and nearly 400 people engaged with speakers by asking questions via Slido. The breakdown of registrants was diverse: 24% government, 24% nonprofit, 19% industry, 13% state and local government, 5% other fields and 3% students.
We are thrilled by the success of this event and look forward to continuing the discussions that came out of each session. The event was co-hosted by the N-EWN and the National Academy of Sciences’ Gulf Research Program. Recordings of both days can be accessed here, courtesy of the National Academies.
The organizing committee has already begun discussing next steps, future meetings and how to further the momentum from this exciting event. Check back in on the Event Page for updates, and read more from Engineering With Nature (EWN) here.
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