ETC BE 2026/2: Review of Marine Nature-Based Solutions

05 May 2026

Emanuele Bigagli, Samuli Korpinen

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are emerging as a key tool for supporting the conservation of the marine environment, restoring degraded habitats, and creating or enhancing ecosystems to increase the provision of essential ecosystem services and associated benefits to society.

This report presents the results of a review of 21 existing marine NbS, divided into five categories depending on their aim: (1) sustainable use and protection of natural marine ecosystems; (2) improved multifunctionality of managed marine ecosystems; (3) novel, restored or deliberately designed artificial marine ecosystems; (4) nature-inspired designs which reduce environmental pressures; and (5) geo-engineering techniques. Detailed information is provided on their spatial and temporal scales of implementation, economic costs and maintenance requirements, as well as on their environmental, social, and economic benefits and trade-offs. This report also examines the strategies for stakeholder engagement and evaluates the potential of these solutions to support the implementation of the MSFD, Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) and other major EU and global policy frameworks.

A wide range of marine NbS have already been tested or actively used, demonstrating strong potential to address key challenges to the marine environment, including biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, and climate change, while simultaneously delivering important social-economic benefits to local communities. However, their success depends on a thorough understanding of their applicability, strengths and limitations, as well as their associated benefits and trade-offs, in relation to specific local contexts, challenges and management objectives.

The findings of this report can support Member States in selecting the most appropriate measures for implementing EU policies, including the NRR and the MSFD, while also contributing to broader global policy goals.

Prepared by:

Author(s): Emanuele Bigagli (BriS), Samuli Korpinen (SYKE)
EEA project manager: Eirini Glyki
Coordination: Claudia Neitzel (NIVA)
Language Check: Shane Hume (LESP)
Layout: Oda Ellingsen (NIVA)