Ruling in nature-based solutions: What's law got to do with it?

Nature-based Solutions (NBS) play a pivotal role in addressing pressing environmental and societal challenges, offering the unique advantage of simultaneously improving human health and ecological resilience. However, the successful design, implementation, and monitoring of NBS interventions rely on robust legal frameworks to ensure their long-term sustainability. Recognizing this, we are hosting a dedicated NBS & Law Day in the heart of Utrecht.

The Urban NBS Day 2025 brings together scholars, practitioners, and students to explore the critical intersection of law and NBS. Together, we will examine how legal frameworks can either enable or hinder the integration of NBS in urban settings, addressing a wide range of issues from climate adaptation obligation to environmental liability. It fosters cross-disciplinary exchange and strengthens connections between legal scholarship, policy makers, and the practical applications of NBS.

The Poster Dialogues in the afternoon session aim to foster dynamic cross-disciplinary exchange. We invite early-career scholars and researchers from all disciplines to share their work, contributing to a rich tapestry of knowledge and collaborative potential. Submissions are welcome on all aspects of NBS, including legal and policy frameworks, scientific innovations, practical applications, and interdisciplinary approaches.

Program

Prof.dr. An Cliquet

An Cliquet is a professor of international and European environmental and biodiversity law at Ghent University (Belgium). Her research covers ecological restoration law, and topics such as EU protected area law and the relationship between climate change and biodiversity. She is a member of the European Environmental Law Forum (EELF) and of the IUCN World Commission on environmental law. She is chair of the Legal Working Group on Restoration from the Society of Ecological Restoration Europe (SERE).

Edward Brans

Since 2002 Edward Brans is an attorney at Pels Rijcken. As of 1 November 2020, he is professor by special appointment of Sustainability and Environmental Liability at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance at Utrecht University. He focuses on climate change liability, environmental liability under private and administrative law, including enforcement in case of environmental incidents and liability for inadequate supervision and enforcement. In addition, he supports governments in addressing climate change and energy transition, such as projects aimed at the use of geothermal energy (aquifer thermal energy storage and geothermal heat), carbon capture and storage (CCS) and the realisation of designated flooding areas. In the field of environmental law, Edward has extensive experience with cases involving (soil) pollution, pollution by ships, asbestos, air quality, waste products and circular economy.

Elena Petsani

Elena oversees ICLEI’s involvement in a number of projects, including Commit2Green, CARDIMED, MULTISOURCE, RECREATE, and UP2030. Her work is focused on advancing climate resilience (urban and water) across Europe. This is achieved by mapping urban and regional vulnerabilities, engaging diverse stakeholders, and supporting cities and regions in achieving their climate adaptation goals. Elena also focuses on scaling up climate action through strategic urban planning and developing frameworks to replicate and enhance nature-based solutions and water resilience. 
Previously, Elena has developed curriculum and capacity-building activities for climate-resilient urban development, created strategic policies for disaster risk management and sustainable urban growth, and advanced climate adaptation through innovative solutions and collaborative approaches. Her career reflects a committed approach to delivering results that build resilience and enhance community capacity.