open access publication

Article, 2024

Innovating Nature-based Solutions: learnings from the EU Horizon 2020 RECONECT project

Blue-Green Systems, ISSN 2617-4782, Volume 6, 1, Pages 114-130, 10.2166/bgs.2024.048

Contributors

Penny, Jessica Sarah 0000-0001-8748-472X (Corresponding author) [1] Dlugoborskyte, Vytaute 0000-0001-7375-1487 [2] Draper, Kate [3] Fonseca, Alvaro [3] Baker, Kate [1] Chen, Shiuan-Hung 0000-0003-3708-3332 [1] Manojlovic, Natasa [2] Vojinovic, Zoran [4]

Affiliations

  1. [1] University of Exeter
    2. [NORA names: United Kingdom; Europe, Non-EU; OECD];
  2. [2] Hamburg University of Technology
    3. [NORA names: Germany; Europe, EU; OECD];
  3. [3] Ramboll (Denmark)
    4. [NORA names: Ramboll Group; Private Research; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
  4. [4] IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
    5. [NORA names: Netherlands; Europe, EU; OECD]

Abstract

Abstract This paper proposes a specialised framework that integrates the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and the Commercial Readiness Index (CRI) to assess learnings from a Horizon 2020 (H2020) project on innovation development via the selection and enhancement of supporting tools and technologies for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) implementation and evaluation. We developed and applied the methodology to scout NbS-related innovations that are at a certain TRL and had the potential for commercial exploitation, and then included tailored activities to help these solutions to reach at least CRI-1 (i.e. have the business model outlined, initial market research done, business case formulated). The tools and technologies were assessed through a lens of innovation, explication, and upscaling. As a result, novel guidelines tailored for NbS innovations were established to introduce a participatory approach in TRL and CRI evaluations to support commercial exploitation for upscaling NbS into mainstream society through market uptake of H2020 frameworks.

Keywords

EU Horizon, H2020, H2020 framework, NBS, RECONECT project, Readiness Index, activity, approach, assess learning, commercial exploitation, commercialization, cry 1, development, enhancement, evaluation, explication, exploitation, framework, guidelines, horizon, implementation, index, innovation, innovative development, learning, lens, lens of innovation, levels, mainstream society, market, market uptake, methodology, nature-based solutions, participatory approach, potential, project, readiness level, results, selection, society, solution, tailored activities, technology, technology readiness level, tools, upscaling

Funders

  • European Commission

Data Provider: Digital Science

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