Publications (FIS)

Revealing and assessing the costs and benefits of nature-based solutions within a real-world laboratory in Costa Rica

authored by: Veronica Alejandra Neumann, Jochen Hack
Abstract: Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) are emerging solutions inspired and supported by nature to address societal challenges, such as climate change and rapid urbanization. Among others, these solutions have the potential to meet storm and waste water management goals, while providing co-benefits for society and economy in urban areas. However, as NBS are considered as an emerging technology, few has been researched on how civil society actors perceive the costs and benefits of NBS, and to what extent the knowledge of these actors affects the economic valuation of these solutions. Understanding these aspects is relevant for the ongoing debate concerning the value of nature for society and its integration into valuation methods. Therefore, to contribute to this debate, this paper aims to reveal and assess the cost and benefits of NBS perceived by society within a Real-World Laboratory (RWL). To do this, this paper applies the Triple Bottom Line- Cost Benefit Analysis (TBL-CBA) to the structural processes of a RWL related to NBS in Costa Rica. In this regard, this RWL follows a structural process to identify, promote, co-design, and to co-produce knowledge between scientific and civil society actors for the implementation of NBS. During these four processes a series of qualitative research methods for knowledge production and exchange such as workshops, interviews, and bilateral meetings, with relevant stakeholders took place. As a result, the structural processes of this RWL signified an opportunity to gain a more in-depth understanding of the local, legal and economic context for the implementation of a selected NBS. And with this, to reveal most of the representative costs and benefits of NBS perceived by the majority of local actors. The integration of the outcomes of this RWL into the TBL-CBA also contributed to an economic assessment of NBS that is more socially comprehensive and acceptable.
External Organisation(s): Technische Universität Darmstadt
Type: Article
Journal: Environmental Impact Assessment Review
Volume: 93
ISSN: 0195-9255
Publication date: 03.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Geography, Planning and Development, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law, Ecology
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 - Climate Action
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2022.106737 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{d54d3f695da54853a093b32a3802bbc1,
title = "Revealing and assessing the costs and benefits of nature-based solutions within a real-world laboratory in Costa Rica",
abstract = "Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) are emerging solutions inspired and supported by nature to address societal challenges, such as climate change and rapid urbanization. Among others, these solutions have the potential to meet storm and waste water management goals, while providing co-benefits for society and economy in urban areas. However, as NBS are considered as an emerging technology, few has been researched on how civil society actors perceive the costs and benefits of NBS, and to what extent the knowledge of these actors affects the economic valuation of these solutions. Understanding these aspects is relevant for the ongoing debate concerning the value of nature for society and its integration into valuation methods. Therefore, to contribute to this debate, this paper aims to reveal and assess the cost and benefits of NBS perceived by society within a Real-World Laboratory (RWL). To do this, this paper applies the Triple Bottom Line- Cost Benefit Analysis (TBL-CBA) to the structural processes of a RWL related to NBS in Costa Rica. In this regard, this RWL follows a structural process to identify, promote, co-design, and to co-produce knowledge between scientific and civil society actors for the implementation of NBS. During these four processes a series of qualitative research methods for knowledge production and exchange such as workshops, interviews, and bilateral meetings, with relevant stakeholders took place. As a result, the structural processes of this RWL signified an opportunity to gain a more in-depth understanding of the local, legal and economic context for the implementation of a selected NBS. And with this, to reveal most of the representative costs and benefits of NBS perceived by the majority of local actors. The integration of the outcomes of this RWL into the TBL-CBA also contributed to an economic assessment of NBS that is more socially comprehensive and acceptable.",
keywords = "Nature-based Solutions, Real-world lab, Green Infrastructure, Costa Rica, cost-benefit analysis, Triple bottom line- cost benefit analysis, Nature-based solutions, Real-world laboratory",
author = "Neumann, {Veronica Alejandra} and Jochen Hack",
note = "Funding Information: We acknowledge support from the German Research Foundation and the Open Access Publishing Fund of Technische Universit{\"a}t Darmstadt . Funding Information: This work was supported by The Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany. The funding covered trips to Costa Rica, which was performed by the SEE-URBAN-WATER junior research group (see, https://www.tu-darmstadt.de/see-urban-water ). Funding Information: This work was supported by The Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany. The funding covered trips to Costa Rica, which was performed by the SEE-URBAN-WATER junior research group (see, https://www.tu-darmstadt.de/see-urban-water).We acknowledge support from the German Research Foundation and the Open Access Publishing Fund of Technische Universit?t Darmstadt.",
year = "2022",
month = mar,
doi = "10.1016/j.eiar.2022.106737",
language = "English",
volume = "93",
journal = "Environmental Impact Assessment Review",
issn = "0195-9255",
publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",
}