Science Policy Brief 1 Nature-based Solutions for Urban and Regional Water Resilience: What to do with too much (dirty) water

In February 2025, 33 researchers, policymakers, and practitioners came together to discuss the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) in enhancing urban and regional water resilience.The discussion was framed by two key policy developments: the forthcoming Water Resilience Strategy, a comprehensive, multi-annual, cross-sectoral roadmap with milestones through 2040, and the recast of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which aims to protect the environment and human health by ensuring proper collection, treatment, and discharge of urban wastewater and specific industrial discharges across the EU.To support discussions and spark ideas, experts from the CARDIMED, NICE, NBRACER, and MULISOURCE projects shared their firsthand experiences and successful pilot projects. These examples highlighted not only the effectiveness of NbS in supporting water-related goals, but also their inherent beauty and multifunctionality.