The climate crisis threatens our future through rising temperatures, extreme weather events and the loss of biodiversity. Cities are at the forefront of this worldwide. As cities are major contributors to carbon emissions, they not only fuel climate change but also bear the brunt of its dangerous consequences.

In the fight against climate change, the EU has identified new assessment patterns for action that give Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) a crucial role in mitigating negative climate impacts and promoting a more sustainable future.

NBS harness the power of nature to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect ecosystems and create resilient habitats. URBREATH’s innovative approach combines the nature-oriented redesign of urban life based on NBS with the use of local digital twins and the application of AI technologies.

The aim of URBREATH is to investigate and utilize the full potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) in different climate zones. In the pilot phase, four pioneering cities represent different European climatic zones:

• Madrid, Spain (Mediterranean climate)
• Leuven, Belgium (Atlantic climate)
• Tallin, Estonia (Boreal climate)
• Cluj-Napoca, Romania (Continental climate)

Based on the activities tested in the pilot cities, systematic, co-creation-based instruments for the implementation of NBS for climate change adaptation and mitigation will be developed. Other cooperating European cities, such as Parma, Athens, Aarhus, Kajaani and Pilsen, will follow in the further project phases.

On the occasion of the kick-off event in Leuven, Dr. Francesco Mureddu, Senior Director at the Lisbon Council and project coordinator, describes NBS and the project objective of URBREATH:

“NBS are actions that protect, manage, or restore natural or modified ecosystems to address societal challenges and benefit both people and nature. The project will provide key knowledge and tools for the design and implementation of NBS that can close urban water loops, mitigate pollution and runoff, and enhance urban biodiversity and well-being.”

In addition, the project also aims to promote community engagement and ensure knowledge sharing. NBS should not only have an impact on the climate, but also be socially inclusive and culturally relevant.

URBREATH is co-funded by the EU program “Horizon Europe” for research and innovation. Grant ID: 101139711