On June 5–6, 2025 in Riga, we gathered more than 60 municipal representatives, researchers, and other professionals at the seminar “Planning Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience – from Local to Regional Level.” The event aimed to promote knowledge exchange on the planning and implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) – from the development of urban green infrastructure to regional climate resilience.
The impacts of climate change – increased flood risk, extreme weather events, and heatwaves – particularly affect urban environments. To ensure a sustainable and safe living environment in the future, it is crucial to develop solutions that both protect people and strengthen nature’s ability to self-regulate. This is where nature-based solutions play a key role – they utilize natural processes, such as rainwater absorption or the cooling effect of green spaces.
On the first day of the seminar, participants learned about best practice examples and approaches from theIMPETUS and LATESTadapt projects, the experiences of Riga, Valmiera, and Cēsis in developing green infrastructure, and regional-level climate change adaptation measures, including the plans of the Zemgale Planning Region.
On the second day of the seminar, a joint field trip was organized, during which we were pleased to see how many and how diverse nature-based solutions (NBS) have already been implemented in Riga, both in the private and public sectors. For example, NBS often prove to be the best choice in urban areas where, due to various conditions, it is not possible to connect to the city’s stormwater drainage system. What we observed in several neighborhoods in Riga reinforced the conviction that nature-based solutions are not just ‘green thinking’ – they are practical, sustainable, and forward-looking measures that help adapt to climate challenges while simultaneously improving quality of life.
Agenda (in Latvian) is HERE
All presentations (in Latvian):
- Event opening & introduction, Ingrīda Brēmere, Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia
- • Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and Urban Green Infrastructure Planning Approaches – Experience from the LATESTadapt project, Anda Ruskule, Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia
- Development of Riga’s Greening Plan, Liene Griķe, Riga City
- Development of Valmiera’s Greening Plan, Ramona Višņevska, Valmieras municipality un Kristīne Dreija, Grupa 93
- Development of Cēsis Greening Plan, Zane Pīpkalēja, Cēsis municipality
- Planning Climate Change Adaptation Measures at the Regional Level: IMPETUS Project Approach and Experience, Ingrīda Brēmere, Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia
- Adaptation Options to Reduce Flood Risks Caused by Snowmelt and Heavy Rainfall: IMPETUS Project Approach, Kristīna Veidemane, Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia
- Discussion: Most Effective Policy and Spatial Planning Instruments for Ensuring Climate Resilience, IMPETUS project approach, moderator Kristīna Veidemane, Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia
- IMPETUS Project’s RKB Platform for Informational Support on Climate Resilience Opportunities, Līga Stokmane-Blaua, Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia
- Consultation Forum on Nature-Based Solutions Established by the LIFE LATESTadapt Project, Luīze Eglīte, Viedās administrācijas un reģionālās attīstības ministrija
- A Decade of Implementing Sustainable Stormwater Management Solutions in Riga, Jurijs Kondratenko, Riga Technical University
- Implementation of LATESTadapt Pilot Projects on Tērbatas Street, Aija Rantiņa, Rīgas municipality
- Climate measures: results of the MENTI.COM survey..
The seminar was organised by the Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia, implementing projects:
- The IMPETUS project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the call LC-GD-1-3-2020 – Climate-resilient Innovation Packages for EU Regions.”, https://climate-impetus.eu/
- “Development and demonstration of a portfolio of nature-based and smart solutions to improve urban climate resilience in Latvia and Estonia” (LIFE21-CCA-EE-LIFE LATESTadapt, No. 101074438), co-financed by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development of Latvia, and the Estonian Ministry of Climate. https://lifelatestadapt.viimsivald.ee/lv/sakuma-lapa/