LIFE projects showcase how nature-based solutions strengthen climate resilience

The Adaptation & Nature Forum, held on 7-8 July 2026 in Rennes, France, brought together more than 450 policymakers, researchers, local authorities, practitioners, and LIFE beneficiaries to exchange practical solutions to scale up nature-based solutions (NbS). Organised by the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) as part of the LIFE ARTISAN project, the forum highlighted how healthy ecosystems help communities adapt to climate change and become more resilient to extreme weather.  

One of the strongest messages from the event was that Europe must move beyond individual demonstration projects and accelerate the deployment of NbS. Participants also highlighted the importance of strengthening the evidence base for adopting NbS while sharing knowledge and practical experience to support wider implementation.'The devastating heatwaves sweeping across Europe this summer are yet another urgent reminder of how little time we have left. We must accelerate the deployment of NbS – in cities, rural areas, corporate sites, and beyond. Climate risks are escalating, and delay is not an option,' says Eva Radek from LIFE ARTISAN, the organiser of the event. 

Nature restoration in practice 

Several LIFE projects showcased how NbS are already helping deliver Europe's climate adaptation and biodiversity objectives. 

LIFE BiospherAdapt presented ecosystem-based adaptation strategies developed with UNESCO Biosphere Reserves to help territories prepare for climate change. NL-NASCCELERATE showed how integrated projects can accelerate the implementation of climate adaptation policies at the national and regional levels. Meanwhile, LIFE4ZOO demonstrated how constructed wetlands can improve circular water management, increase drought resilience and reduce pressure on freshwater resources 

Scaling up nature-based solutions 

The LIFE Programme was also represented through a dedicated exhibition stand, where visitors received information about the 2026 calls for proposals, proposal preparation and examples of successful projects from across the EU. Representatives from the French LIFE Programme National Contact Point, together with representatives from LIFE4ZOO and LIFE BiospherAdapt, explained how the LIFE Programme ecosystem works and shared their experiences of how LIFE funding can accelerate the NbS deployment. The project delegates also outlined how they plan to scale up their results beyond the lifetimes of their projects.  

After the event, participants also went on a field visit to a LIFE ARTISAN’s demonstration project on the Néal River that was restoring aquatic and wetland ecosystems, which will help nearby communities adapt to increasingly frequent extreme rainfall. Participants also stressed that successful NbS like these depend on active collaboration with landowners, farmers, local authorities, and citizens, and that widespread roll-out relies on delivering social and economic benefits alongside environmental outcomes.  

Supporting Europe's climate adaptation goals 

Nature-based solutions play an increasingly important role in helping Europe adapt to climate change while restoring biodiversity and improving water resilience. 'By showcasing successful projects, LIFE triggers a snowball effect – inspiring new tools, partnerships, and policies. It doesn’t just fund; it builds a network by connecting organisations and sharing knowledge,' says Radek.  

The projects presented at the Adaptation & Nature Forum demonstrated how the LIFE Programme contributes to key EU policies, including the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, the European Climate Law, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the Nature Restoration Regulation and the Water Framework Directive. By bringing together policymakers, practitioners and LIFE projects, the forum helped strengthen the partnerships, knowledge exchange and practical experience needed to accelerate the uptake of NbS across Europe.