Nature-Based Solutions FOR PORTS An Overview of NBS Implementation in Practice – Opportunities and Challenges 2025 © 2025 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of EcoShape, the staff of The World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) with external contributions. The findings, analysis and conclusions expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the views of any individual partner organization of The World Bank, its Board of Directors, or the governments they represent. Although the World Bank and GFDRR make reasonable efforts to ensure all the information presented in this document is correct, its accuracy and integrity cannot be guaranteed. 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Any queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org. Suggested citation: World Bank. 2025. Nature-Based Solutions for Ports: An Overview of NBS Implementation in Practice - Op- portunities and Challenges. World Bank, Washington, DC. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO World Bank Group and EcoShape This guideline is the result of a partnership between the World Bank Group and EcoShape to advance guidance on nature-based solutions (NBS) to contribute to resilient infrastructure projects and sustainable development. This partnership combines experience in pilot projects, research, and consultations with ports and organizations from the maritime sector to identify opportunities for NBS in ports. Authors EcoShape World Bank Group Petra Dankers EcoShape Brenden Jongman Gosse de Boer Haskoning Irina Likhachova Marc Horstman Haskoning Beatrice Georgina Louise Phillips Niels van Kouwen Haskoning Borja Gonzalez Reguero Leonie Koenders Arcadis Jeroen Klooster Arcadis Emma Rendle Mark van Geest Boskalis Boris van Zanten Daan Rijks Boskalis Wiebe de Boer Deltares Natalia Strigin Deltares Matthijs Benit HKV Esmée te Velde van Oord Lot Locher One Architecture Emiel Swinnen One Architecture Arjan de Heer (reviewer) Witteveen + Bos Menno Onrust (reviewer) Witteveen + Bos iii Table of Contents Chapter 1: Nature-Based Solutions in Ports 1 The Case for Nature-Based Solutions in Ports 2 What are Nature-Based Solutions? 5 Enablers for Successful NBS Implementation 7 Reader’s Guide 9 Chapter 2: The Value Proposition of NBS in Ports 10 NBS as Tool to Overcome Port Challenges 11 Categorization of NBS in the Port Sector 13 Chapter 3: NBS in Ports: Presentation by Family 17 Introduction 18 NBS Family: Working with Coastal Systems 19 NBS Family: Wave and Coastal Dynamics Attenuation 25 NBS Family: Beneficial Reuse of Dredged Sediments 31 NBS Family: Enhancing Hard Structures 37 Chapter 4: NBS in Ports: Case Studies 43 Introduction 44 Sandbar Outer Breakwater at the Port of Lekki, Nigeria 45 Mangroves Against Wave Overtopping at Breakwaters and Revetments in Jakarta Fishing Port 47 Horseshoe Bend Island in the Lower Atchafalaya River 49 Improving Habitat Conditions on Quay Walls in Spain 51 Examples of Other NBS in Ports Projects 53 Select Bibliography for the Case Studies 55 Chapter 5: Enablers for NBS in Ports 57 Introduction 58 Enabler 1: Technology and System Knowledge 59 Enabler 2: Management, Monitoring and Maintenance 60 Enabler 3: Business Case 61 Enabler 4: Institutional Embedding 62 Enabler 5: Multistakeholder Approach 63 Enabler 6: Capacity Strengthening 64 Chapter 6: Experiences with NBS in Ports in Implementation 65 Introduction 66 Enabler 1: Technology and System Knowledge 67 Enabler 2: Management, Monitoring and Maintenance 67 Enabler 3: Business Case 68 Enabler 4: Institutional Embedding 68 Enabler 5: Multistakeholder Approach 69 Enabler 6: Capacity Strengthening 69 Recommendations Summary from Practice 70 Chapter 7: Financing NBS in Ports 71 Chapter 8: Select Bibliography 75 iv Abbreviations and Acronyms ALW average low water CAPEX capital expenditure CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CEDA Central Dredging Association DTU Technical University of Denmark ESPO European Sea Ports Organisation EWN Engineering With Nature GHG greenhouse gas ha hectare IAPH International Association of Ports and Harbours ISO International Organisation for Standardization IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature IWT inland waterway transport JFP Jakarta Fishing Port NBS Nature-Based Solutions NDC nationally determined contributions NGO nongovernmental organization OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OPEX operating expenses PIANC World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure PPP Public-private partnership SDG Sustainable Development Goals STOWA Foundation for Applied Water Research (Netherlands) TIPSP Industrial Terminal of the Port of San Pedro USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers v Executive Summary About the Report and Its Objectives This report provides an overview of the potential role that nature-based solutions (NBS) can play in ports. It aims to illustrate how NBS can be effectively integrated into port planning, design, and operations to address various port challenges, while offering opportunities to leverage climate resilience benefits and other cobenefits. The report outlines the types of NBS that could be most applicable to ports, examines their alignment with global policy frameworks (such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement), and highlights both the opportunities and implementation challenges associated with their use. NBS are receiving attention globally and in various sectors, with several NBS approaches demonstrating technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness. However, many of the practices they encompass are not completely new to the port sector. Ports have long interacted with coastal landscapes and ecosystems. Recent innovations—such as ecological breakwaters and strategic sediment management—build on previous experiences and port management foundations, combining traditional practices with advances in nature-based engineering and access to emerging green financing mechanisms. This report can serve as a guideline for the initial stages in the NBS project development cycle. It helps assess how NBS align with port challenges and interests, by identifying NBS opportunities within ports and supporting the evaluation of their potential benefits. Subsequent steps in an NBS project cycle are to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility, secure financing, and develop designs and implementation plans. Ultimately, monitoring and evaluation of the NBS project is key to its sustained success. This guide can help provide critical information for these project phases. The Opportunity of Applying NBS in Ports NBS present practical solutions to address common challenges in port development and operations, such as shoreline stabilization, flood risk reduction, sediment management, and infrastructure resilience. By harnessing natural processes, NBS can enhance the functionality, adaptability, and long-term performance of port infrastructure. In addition to these direct benefits, NBS contribute to the broader environmental, social, and economic objectives of ports. Some of these cobenefits include carbon sequestration, habitat restoration, increased biodiversity, recreational and tourism opportunities, and strengthened community engagement. Together, these outcomes position NBS as a valuable approach for ports aiming to improve climate resilience, work on sustainability agendas, and respond to evolving stakeholder expectations such as the relations between ports and cities. Scope and Target Audience This report is intended for port authorities, planners, policymakers, infrastructure professionals and financiers. The guide classifies NBS into four key strategic families, which are linked to specific port-related challenges, each offering practical opportunities. Insights are provided into how these solutions can be incorporated into planning, design, and investment processes. The report also addresses key barriers to adoption, such as technical uncertainties, regulatory hurdles, and financing limitations, and outlines strategies to overcome them, such as leveraging existing institutional experience, aligning with sustainability frameworks, and leveraging innovative funding mechanisms (figures ES.1 and ES.2). Overall, the report supports informed decision-making and provides critical information to advance broader adoption of NBS as part of sustainable and resilient port governance and management. Figure ES.1: Structure and Objectives of the Guideline Identifying Opportunities Application and Objectives and Scope Financing NBS and Examples Experience Base Goals: Outline principles, Four types of projects Enabling conditions and Information on bankability opportunities, and examples of (NBS families) considerations from experience of NBS: Insight for structuring NBS in the sector • How do they work projects and making them Interviews with maritime Audience: Port authorities • Technology and system eligible for private capital organizations and port and operators, governments, considerations authorities Revenue models: Tax-based, investors, professionals • Management, monitoring, user fees and/or value capture and maintenance Common challenges in ports Scope: Types of NBS oppor- • Costs and benefits provide entry points for NBS Recommendations: hHow tunities, costs, benefits, risks, • Stakeholder and to support and enable the challenges, and financing Solutions: System perspective, institutional alignment bankability of NBS at system, streams adaptive maintenance, multiple market and project levels Description of real case studies benefits, license to operate Chapter 1: Nature-Based Chapter 3: NBS in Ports: Chapter 5: Key Enablers Solutions in Ports Presentation by Family for Success Chapter 7: Financing NBS in Ports Chapter 2: The Value Chapter 4: Examples and Chapter 6: Experiences Proposition of NBS in Ports Case Studies with NBS in Ports vi Executive Summary Figure ES.2: Four Main Strategies for NBS in Ports © Rijksoverheid © ECOncrete Working with Coastal Wave and Coastal Beneficial Reuse of Enhanced Hard Systems Dynamics Attenuation Dredged Sediment Structures NBS measures within this NBS measures within this NBS measures within this NBS measures within this NBS family: NBS family: NBS family: NBS family: Port siting and layout Sandy foreshores Foreshore and land Enhanced quay walls reclamation from dredged Restoring riverine Ecological breakwaters Hanging and floating ecosystems sediments Mangroves structures Sustainable sediment Construction material Salt Marshes Habitat creation units management Creation of habitats Reefs General General General General scale of scale of scale of scale of family: family: family: family: System Port Port Local scale scale scale scale Example: Example: Example: Example: Sandbar Breakwaters of Mangroves Against Wave Horseshoe Bend Island in the Adding Complexity for Life on Lekki Port, Nigeria and Overtopping on Breakwaters Channel of Lower Atchafalaya Hard Quay Wall Structures, Lome Port, Togo in Jakarta Fishing Port River, United States in Vigo Port, Spain vii Enablers for Successful Implementation Experience in planning and implementing NBS has led to the recognition of six “enablers” that can help improve understanding of key considerations for successfully executing NBS projects. These considerations are recommended to be incorporated into standard project operations and maintenance procedures, ensuring that NBS principles become part of port governance and development processes. While the importance of each enabler may vary depending on the project, all six considerations have proven relevant in past experiences with NBS for achieving successful outcomes. This document specifically discusses the enabling principles for NBS in the context of ports, grounded in examples and lessons learned. The colors of the enablers indicate their environmental, operational, financial, or social and governance nature, although all the enablers have environmental, operational, financial, and social elements. The six enablers are: Enabler 1: Enabler 2: Technology and System Knowledge Management, Monitoring, and Maintenance Incorporating technology and system knowledge for Ensuring continuous management, monitoring, and the design of NBS and the interaction with the “larger” maintenance of NBS as they are flexible and responsive physical environment. to the environment. NBS should also be integrated into project operations and maintenance. Enabler 3: Enabler 4: Business Case Institutional Embedding Constructing a suitable business case to make NBS Aligning NBS with governance structures for the initial financially feasible. NBS can be an integral part of project stages (design and construction) and long-term public-private partnerships (PPP) and contribute to (maintenance and operation) success. project structuring and feasibility. Enabler 5: Enabler 6: Multistakeholder Approach Capacity Strengthening Using a multistakeholder approach to engage and Emphasizing capacity strengthening in the value involve stakeholders during the entire project lifetime. proposition of local communities, institutions, and developers is essential. Challenges for the Implementation of NBS in Ports This report also summarizes key challenges identified by the port sector for implementing NBS, based on interviews with stakeholders and industry representatives. These consultations highlighted two main areas of challenges: • Uncertainty across multiple dimensions: The sector recognizes uncertainty surrounding the application of NBS from technical, economic, and operational standpoints. This is compounded by the inherently site-specific nature of NBS, which often necessitates bespoke, multidisciplinary approaches tailored to individual project contexts. • Inadequate institutional and regulatory support: Existing regulatory frameworks, institutional structures, and collaboration mechanisms are not yet fully equipped to support the effective implementation of NBS. A long-term transition will require a shift toward integrated, cross-sectoral planning and governance models that embed NBS into the core of port development and operational strategies. To support the sector in overcoming these challenges, this report presents a range of practical examples, case studies, and potential applications of NBS within port environments. These insights can help enhance understanding, reduce perceived risks, and increase the feasibility of NBS adoption by port authorities, operators, and planners. Together, the examples and framework provide actionable guidance to help the sector advance towards more sustainable, resilient, comprehensive, and nature-positive solutions in the port sector and their surrounding settings. viii Executive Summary Financing of NBS in Ports The economic case for NBS lies in the potential for delivering environmental and societal benefits, such as biodiversity enhancement, flood and erosion risk reduction, improved water quality, and carbon sequestration, among other services. While financing remains a challenge for NBS projects (especially in early stages), strategic structuring and targeted financial approaches can help with their “bankability” and financial viability. To improve bankability, projects must generate predictable cash flows or be bundled with commercially viable components. Demonstrating viability can start with a business case that integrates NBS into broader, revenue-generating projects. Financial assessments should highlight cost savings and operational efficiencies, while economic assessments can capture wider societal benefits of NBS. Some revenue models for NBS can include tax incentives, environmentally structured user fees, and value capture mechanisms like carbon credits and habitat banking. Insurance can also help mitigate risks, while creating scale through pooling of (NBS) projects can increase investors’ interest. Building capacity among stakeholders, raising awareness, and showcasing successful NBS projects can also increase investor confidence and help ports access public and private financing. At a system-wide level, mainstreaming NBS into policies, performance standards, sustainability reporting, and relationships with stakeholders can become critical for uptake and improve ports’ “licenses to operate”. At the market level, increasing the supply of bankable projects, improving data availability, and leveraging various financing mechanisms can enhance investment readiness. At the project level, early collaboration with financiers can provide clear understanding of risk-return profiles. Overall, adaptive management practices can also help long-term success. Ultimately, a coordinated approach across system, market, and project levels can unlock financing and scale up NBS in ports, contributing to long-term environmental, social, and economic value. Checklist for Screening NBS Opportunities in Ports Identify NBS opportunities from the families: • Within the spatial scope of the port and the hinterland • Addressing the port’s challenges in port governance and development • With port stakeholders, strengthening the license to operate, and PPPs Leverage examples and case studies in similar settings. Conceptualize project and value proposition. Explore the six enablers for successful implementation and increase value proposition: Enabler 1: Enabler 2: Enabler 3: Enabler 4: Enabler 5: Enabler 6: Incorporate Ensure Build the business Suitable Multistakeholder Strengthening technology and a continuous case. NBS can institutional approach capacity in local system-centered monitoring and be an integral embedding improves the communities, approach to the integrate NBS part of PPPs and can help NBS business case governments, design of NBS. into project contribute to feasibility. of NBS and a and developers operations and project structuring port’s license to is essential and maintenance. and feasibility. operate. builds the value proposition. Evaluate NBS full offer of benefits for port and stakeholders. Benefits can include infrastructure services as well as cobenefits such as recreation, biodiversity, flood risk reduction, and carbon sequestration. Evaluate financing and bankability. This document aims to provide guidance on incorporating NBS in port development and governance, focusing on practical strategies and key enablers to address industry challenges. By considering real-world examples and structured approaches, readers will gain useful insights into the first stages of implementing NBS projects. Please continue reading for the latest thinking on how to gain benefits from nature and its processes, from the understanding of systems, to building skills and awareness, to understanding the business case for investment. ix 1 NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS IN PORTS - Chapter 1 - The Case for Nature-Based Solutions in Ports Introduction Ports are of crucial importance to global trade and economic activity, serving as critical gateways for goods and services. According to the International Chamber of Shipping, approximately 11 billion tons of goods are transported by ship annually, including essential commodities such as grain, agricultural products, and processed foods. Ports are especially vital to the economies of low and middle-income countries and small island states, which often rely heavily on imports. The 2024 United Nations (UN) Trade and Development Maritime Transport Review concluded that consumers in these countries are particularly affected by rising shipping rates, exacerbated by disruptions in key trade routes such as the Red Sea and the Panama Canal, due to their geographic isolation, limited shipping options, and smaller economies of scale. Ports face challenges in balancing operational and commercial efficiency with climate risks and mitigation goals, adapting to changing environments, and advancing towards sustainability goals. The natural, social, and economic environments are constantly changing while demands for improved efficiency and sustainability grow. This mission toward sustainability also meets the evolving expectations of society and the global economy regarding climate resilience, while ensuring that ports remain competitive and responsible stewards of the environment and coastal communities. Nature-based solutions (NBS) offer a multifaceted strategy for integrating natural processes into port investments and operations. NBS can offer ports an additional strategy to enhance their resilience to climate risks, leverage sustainable solutions with multiple benefits, contribute to more integrally managing the coastal system that is shared with other stakeholders, advance their climate mitigation and adaptation goals, and further support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their operations. Yet, NBS are not a totally new concept to ports, which have interacted with and influenced the coastal landscape and ecosystems for centuries. Consideration of coastal processes is inherent to port planning, design, and operations and some of the now-recognized NBS concepts have been demonstrated to be technically sound and cost effective in natural systems. Newer and more innovative approaches such as ecological breakwaters, enhanced hard structures, and strategic uses of sediment are, therefore, building from an ample evidence base of the role of ecosystems in coastal dynamics and services. Therefore, NBS may not require totally new and in-depth foundational institutional work; rather, it can leverage the existing approaches and experience base in ports to provide more comprehensive solutions to their sustainability, use of new technologies, and their interaction with the coastal system. NBS may represent an opportunity to improve existing practices for more comprehensive and sustainable outcomes. NBS for Ports Nature-based solutions (NBS) leverage natural processes and ecosystems to address environmental, social, and economic challenges. In ports, NBS include actions like restoring wetlands or mangroves, optimizing port and channel layouts that leverage natural flows, and enhancing ecosystems to improve coastal resilience, climate mitigation and port efficiency but also for delivery of multiple benefits and environmental outcomes. The capacity to leverage multibenefit solutions can be particularly strategic, since ports keep a close interrelationship with their environments and stakeholders. Therefore, it is important to combine port development with acceptance and support, often known as a license to operate. While helping to offset negative social and environmental impacts, NBS can also be leveraged to create social, environmental and economic benefits and strengthen a port’s license to operate. With NBS helping to meet multiple objectives, ports can use them as multifaceted tool. By working with nature, ports can contribute to the SDGs, as well as climate and sustainability agendas, while tackling port-specific challengess such as mitigating hazards and dredging needs. Scope and Audience The goal of this document is to outline principles, opportunities and examples to inform the port sector about NBS applications and opportunities to use in operations and planning. It aims to provide insight to port managers, governments, decision-makers, investors, and professionals about the potential uses and benefits of NBS within the sector. The goal is to offer an overview of the potential opportunities of NBS in port development and operations, highlighting both the costs, benefits, potential risks, and challenges. This guide is aligned with initial identification of NBS opportunities, which can be studied further for their feasibility and cost-effectiveness in local settings. Further, it complements and builds from other supporting tools, such as the Nature-Based Solution Opportunity Scan, which was designed to provide the World Bank Group (hereafter called “The World Bank”) operations with investment opportunities in NBS to reduce disaster risk and to build climate resilience (GFDRR 2025), other guidelines for project developers, and the valuation of benefits and costs of NBS (GFDRR 2023). The document also provides case studies and examples of the increasing global experience base with NBS. It seeks to offer insight into the consideration and use of NBS by outlining enabling principles and addressing perceived barriers, such as technical uncertainties, efficiency and maintenance, societal and stakeholder expectations, and the business case, often associated with these innovative solutions. By collecting evidence, examples, and recommendations from industry experts, this guide aims to help show how to address such challenges. Advancing the use of NBS in the sector offers the potential to align climate resilience and environmental agendas in ports, contribute to efficient operations and investments, and improve relationships with their hinterland. This guide is a first step to initiating and advancing a dialogue with ports to uptake NBS opportunities in the sector. 2 Limitations and Integration Beyond the Port Boundaries Ports are often situated closed to populations and coastal development that have evolved over the past decades, which often exert societal (and environmental) pressure on their surroundings (see photos 1.1 to 1.4). Therefore, ports and community relations are essential for their license to operate, management of pressures, and economic activity. Some NBS strategies can be large-scale and affect systems beyond the port boundaries. The guidance provided in this document focuses on NBS that can be applied to key maritime and navigation infrastructure in and around ports, which are within their sphere of influence. However, other additional fields to explore when pursuing sustainable port development may include noninfrastructural elements, such as integration in coastal management agendas, in and around the port, which are not elaborated upon in this document. NBS actions by ports can also influence their relation to the local community and wider coastal management strategies. While important, the social protection of local communities in relation to port developments fall outside the scope of this report. Further, this document does not cover NBS that fall outside of the port’s influence, such as solutions for river discharge management and shipping activities outside the port. However, NBS outside the port’s ownership may also influence their business operations and management. Therefore, this guideline may help ports inform other engagement and discussion with coastal stakeholders on the potential alignment of other NBS strategies related to the ports’ interactions with the wider coastal system and activities. This guideline aims to provide an overview of potential approaches and opportunities; However, not all projects and contexts will be suitable for NBS in local contexts. This guidance aims to point out opportunities that could be considered in the development of port infrastructure or port management practices, while acknowledging that NBS can range from small-scale interventions to larger system scales, and with various levels of complexity that would require further studies. IT is meant to inspire and encourage ports to address societal and environmental challenges through NBS. Nonetheless, experts should be consulted prior to any project implementation, as every challenge requires a tailor-made solution. Photo 1.1: Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands Photo 1.2: Port of IJmuiden, Netherlands Port interactions with the coast must be carefully managed. Ports can Ports often serve as transit points, shifting cargo to their respective have a significant influence on the shape of the coastline and are often corridors. Local connectivity is vital to national or regional supply chains. situated in river mouths. This has a significant effect on the coastal and A port’s connectivity to wider transport networks is often dependent on riverine dynamics, which in turn affects port operations. water levels, storms, and rainfall impacting rivers Photo 1.3: Port of Shanghai, China Photo 1.4: Port Louis, Mauritius Ports are typically situated in the cities they have helped form and grow Ports act as crucial gateways for expansive regions, especially for over decades or centuries. However, rapid port growth can outpace the island nations like Mauritius. Consequently, port areas must be local area. For ports to maintain their license to operate, good community developed to meet the substantial socioeconomic demands while relations are essential to alleviate conflicts related to environmental simultaneously minimizing and mitigating impacts on local beaches, pollutants or job availability, for example. NBS can help to alleviate port- reefs, rivers, forests, and coasts, which also hold significant societal community friction while enhancing the port’s license to operate. value. This necessitates careful planning and implementation. 3 - Chapter 1 - 4 What are Nature-Based Solutions? NBS leverage natural processes and features, including Through this step-based process, planners and engineers can ecosystem-based management approaches to address embrace natural processes like water and sediment flows; societal challenges and to provide engineering, economic, and and natural materials such as vegetation, sand, and mud environmental benefits (IUCN 2020). Specifically in the context in the design of infrastructure to meet more comprehensive of the port sector, NBS can involve measures that leverage outcomes. NBS can also make ports more adaptable to natural systems and processes to enhance resilience, optimize changing conditions such as rising sea levels and deliver infrastructure, and/or protect against environmental hazards, multiple benefits, including carbon mitigation, environmental and serve as carbon sink that help advance a country’s Paris outcomes, job opportunities, and coastal integration. Agreement Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). For example, ecosystems such as mangroves and other wetlands Based on the growing experience about NBS, six essential can mitigate flooding, reefs can reduce the impact of waves enablers have been identified as important considerations in and coastal erosion, and sediment management solutions or their conceptualization, identification, design, implementation, restoration of riverbanks and channels can influence dredging and upscaling. Refer to: Enablers for successful NBS needs and/or cycles (CEDA 2019). NBS approaches can also implementation and Chapter 5 for more information on be combined with traditional engineering solutions in the form the enablers. These enablers provide a structure for the of hybrid strategies. By integrating nature into port planning implementation of NBS. and management, ports can support sustainable development, with benefits to the business, the people, and the environment. Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement Guiding Philosophy SDGs underline the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, The guiding principle of NBS is to work with nature, not against adopted by the UN in 2015. The 17 SDGs aim to reduce it. This requires a system understanding and the inclusion poverty, improve health and education, reduce inequality, of natural processes at the core of the solutions to different and spur economic growth, while tackling climate change and problems. Also, interaction with relevant stakeholders, including conserving oceans and forests. Ports are also expected to local communities, is key for a successful implementation. work on the SDGs, for example, by monitoring, reporting, and Further, NBS are context-specific, multi-functional, innovative, decreasing emissions and environmental impacts. and dynamic, and are based on a system perspective. Following this guiding principle requires a sequential approach to design NBS can be directly linked to seven SDGs—including climate and attention to key enablers that could maximize success. action, life below water, sustainable cities, and ending extreme poverty—as they can help address challenges in many coastal Design of NBS regions where people’s livelihoods often depend on their Successful implementation of an NBS can best be achieved natural environment (Figure 1.2). through the following five-step approach (Figure 1.1): 1. Understand the natural, social, and economic system. NBS also contribute to the Paris Agreement goals in reducing 2. Identify alternatives that provide multiple benefits. emissions and building adaptation to climate change impact. 3. Evaluate different alternatives. They enhance the resilience of both ecosystems and human 4. Evaluate costs and benefits, accounting for cobenefits. communities to climate risks, fostering economic, social, and 5. Refine the selected solution. environmental synergies. 6. Prepare the implementation. Figure 1.1: Five-step Approach for Nature-Based Solutions Design Figure 1.2: Contribution of Nature-Based Solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals Source: EcoShape, n.d., “What is building with Nature?” Link Source: van Eekelen and Bouw 2020 5 - Chapter 1 - A Growing Experience Base Today implementation of NBS is, on a much smaller scale comparatively to other, traditional infrastructure. However, the lessons from an increasing number of successful examples of NBS are building the knowledge base and consequently accelerating uptake. Key ways to approach the implementation of NBS is are through pilot projects to demonstrate and test NBS in practice and by supporting initiators of NBS projects with knowledge and capacity for implementation. This document presents several examples where NBS have been implemented into port developments, including innovative cases for sediment management, overtopping mitigation, and habitat creation in hard infrastructure (see photos 1.5 to 1.8). These examples are detailed in Chapter 4: Case studies. Sandbar Breakwaters of Lekki Port, Nigeria and Lome Port, Togo The breakwater traps the sediment from the longshore drift at the site, enhancing the breakwater design, while downdraft impact is mitigated by a sand engine. The NBS here is the act of harnessing the natural flow of sand to widen the breakwater and attenuate Photo 1.5: Sandbar breakwater, Lekki Port wave energy over a low gradient slope. © CDR International B.V. , Link Mangroves Against Wave Overtopping at Breakwaters in Jakarta Fishing Port, Indonesia Reforestation of mangroves provides an additional buffer to the port. Here the NBS utilizes the complexity and density of root, branch, and leaf coverage to provide significant shelter Photo 1.6: Mangrove breakwater, Indonesia © OC Global, Link from wind and waves. Horseshoe Bend in the Lower Atchafalaya River, United States Dredged sediments are used to reclaim a wetland island for nature that improves the navigability of an important maritime corridor. The NBS is a constructed and planted barrier, which directs and controls flows. Photo 1.7: Horseshoe Bend Island, United States © USACE, Link Habitat Creation in Concrete Units in Vigo Port, Spain Hard port structures such as breakwaters and quay walls are retrofitted or designed using specialized concrete units with surface complexity that encourages marine life to populate walls. Photo 1.8: Quay wall construction in Malaga, Spain © Econcrete, Link 6 Enablers for Successful NBS Implementation The dynamic, multi-functional, innovative and context-specific character of NBS requires an integral approach, incorporating a broad spectrum of technical, environmental, and financial and economic considerations, which involve multiple stakeholders. The NBS presented are engineering approaches, but they work with rather than against physical and ecological processes. The NBS approach represents a paradigm shift compared to traditional engineering, placing natural processes and systems understanding at the center. Enabler 1: Technology and System Knowledge The design of NBS requires specific knowledge and technology that often extend beyond one discipline. This understanding is not only required for experts and engineers, but to a certain extent, for all stakeholders involved. It is essential to take a “larger” physical, ecological, and social system perspective. This system-based approach ensures NBS adds value by using natural processes and addressing climate change pressures. Multifunctionality, stakeholder engagement, and pilot projects support successful NBS that can benefit both the port and the wider economy. Key aspects to consider are: • The key functioning and interrelations of the physical, ecological and societal system; • The functioning of the NBS technology and their contribution to managing climate risks; and • How the NBS functions in and interacts with the specifics of the system and landscape. Examples of important considerations for NBS in ports associated with this enabler: Evaluate economic, socie- Consider hydro- and Map ecosystems in and tal and ecological impacts morphodynamic patterns. around the wider port area. from port activities. Enabler 3: Business Case A sound business case is important for financing NBS. NBS can help to avoid costs and may offer important additional cobenefits compared to (traditional) alternatives like boosting biodiversity, mitigating coastal erosion and floods, improving aquaculture, raw materials, tourism, water quality, and carbon sequestration. While cobenefits of NBS are often public values rather than private goods, NBS services can also enhance returns to the government and private sector. For example, benefits associated to NBS can also be used to tap into carbon credits. Embedding NBS into projects structuring rather than consider them standalone measures can also help improve the business case. Key aspects to consider are: • Defining a business model by combining financial knowledge with engineering and nature conservation expertise; • Providing quantified estimates of maintenance costs, services and cobenefits; and • Creating financial mechanisms with bankable value creation that reflect the identified costs and benefits of NBS. Examples of important considerations for NBS in ports associated with this enabler: Quantify costs, services, Identify NBS project Tap into “labeled financing” and (societal) benefits of revenues to improve e.g. green, and blue linked NBS. bankability. debt bonds and loans. Enabler 5: Multistakeholder Approach NBS can rarely be implemented by a single party. Successful projects require stakeholder engagement from the start and through the codesign, implementation, operation and maintenance phases. Effective stakeholder analysis involves identifying, assessing, and engaging stakeholders early in the project. This approach requires multidisciplinary teams and financial resources but ensures tailored, effective solutions. Key aspects to consider are: • Cooperation between stakeholders through an integral and multifunctional approach can help with local buy-in and support of multibenefit solutions; • Cocreation and public participation for shared visions and objectives; and • Stakeholder assessment and engagement. Examples of important considerations for NBS in ports associated with this enabler: Engage a multitude of Engage with local Establish a monitoring com- expertise at the local and communities and the mittee with representatives international levels. port community. from multiple organizations. 7 - Chapter 1 - As mentioned in the previous section, six enablers are instrumental to address the unique characteristics of implementing NBS (EcoShape, “Enablers”; IUCN 2021; Albert et al. 2021). These enablers are based on the experiences of over a decade of learning-by-doing, intersectoral collaboration, and multidisciplinary fundamental and applied research. The enablers help identify the key considerations at the start of any project and make the development process practicable. The specific context will determine the importance of each enabler in the project or initiative, although all projects can benefit from considering all enablers. Throughout this guide, the six enablers will be used as frameworks to describe and elaborate on NBS in ports. The colors of the enablers indicate their environmental, operational, financial, or social and governance nature, although, to a certain extent, all the enablers have environmental, operational, financial and social elements. More theory on the six enablers is presented in Chapter 5. Enabler 2: Management, Monitoring, and Maintenance NBS can offer adaptivity and dynamic solutions to address climate change and related uncertainties. Unlike traditional gray infrastructure, NBS can evolve with environmental changes, contributing to adaptive management. Effective NBS design would evaluate ecosystem services and performance throughout its lifespan. Mature NBS may need less maintenance but should incorporate flexible approaches and diversification to balance long-term costs and risks. NBS should also be integrated as part of ongoing project operations and maintenance. Key aspects to consider are: • Balancing initial efforts and investments (overdimensioning) against adaptivity and resilience; • Making maintenance strategies an integral part of the development process; and • Organization and techniques for adaptive management and monitoring in various time and spatial scales. Examples of important considerations for NBS in ports associated with this enabler: Use adaptive manage- NBS increase port climate Monitor NBS ment to anticipate chang- resilience as they evolve to throughout its lifetime. ing user requirements. future (climatic) challenges. Enabler 4: Institutional Embedding NBS emphasize dynamic, multi-functional solutions that may challenge traditional practices. Aligning NBS with institutional frameworks involves the understanding of regulations early in the design process and implementation processes. Overall, changes in regulatory engagement and contracting can enhance NBS integration and promote sustainable infrastructure development. Further, NBS can also be part of Paris Agreement contributions and national adaptation plans as well as part of PPPs. By combining public resources with private expertise and capital, PPPs can unlock NBS potential to mitigate climate risks, enhance ecosystems, and improve human well-being. Key aspects to consider are: • Fitting NBS in the existing context, norms, and regulations, and creating an enabling policy environment; • Land tenure, concession management, and permitting may consider favorable conditions for NBS; and • Aligning investments with international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, Ramsar sites, and the SDGs. Examples of important considerations for NBS in ports associated with this enabler: Align NBS objectives with Include NBS design Embed NBS in concession (inter)national plans and principles into port master agreements of ports and secure associated funding. plans and guidelines. construction contracts. Enabler 6: Capacity Strengthening Capacity strengthening for NBS involves professional and community training that emphasize trust and cooperation among stakeholders. Capacity building for government is also key. Capacity training may involve advancing the understanding of ecosystem services, NBS opportunities, and stakeholder approaches, while community training can be location-specific and focus on safety, ecosystem functions, and project benefits. Capacity building ensures that stakeholders possess the necessary skills and knowledge to support sustainable NBS projects tailored to local contexts. Key aspects to consider are: • Increasing awareness of the working principles, possibilities and benefits of NBS; • Involving professionals in NBS by training and educational programs; and • Creating NBS communities around a project Examples of important considerations for NBS in ports associated with this enabler: Provide technical Conduct outreach events Empower local communities training on NBS for port and field trips to promote to participate in decision- development teams. environmental stewardship. making processes. 8 Reader’s Guide By outlining principles and NBS opportunities for addressing port challenges, combined with examples of the growing experience with NBS projects, this guide aims to inform the reader of the potential of NBS for port-specific applications and opportunities to use NBS in operations and planning. Following the introduction and the document scope, chapter 2 presents the case of NBS in ports to address challenges within port governance and development. The chapter describes the main value proposition, which is centered on leveraging ecosystem services and other features of NBS, whose effects are difficult to replicate with traditional port infrastructure. Chapter 3 provides an overview of NBS in the context of ports and categorizes NBS opportunities into four key “families.” Chapter 4 provides different case studies that showcase the application of NBS in real world settings and demonstrate growing experience with the NBS opportunities for the port sector. Chapter 5 elaborates on the theory behind the general principles for successful implementation of NBS and provides an in-depth description of the six enablers that can facilitate implementation. Chapter 6 summarizes the perspectives from the port sector, collected through interviews and literature review, on the application and implementation of NBS to gather insights on the perceived barriers and risks to implementation. Chapter 7 elaborates further on the business case and financing aspects of NBS in the port context. Finally, chapter 8 presents the bibliography and relevant sources. 9 2 THE VALUE PROPOSITION OF NBS IN PORTS NBS as a Tool to Overcome Port Challenges Developing and operating a port is challenging. Ports must justify capital investments against operational efficiency and require regular infrastructural and/or operational adjustments to improve their performance. Investments in infrastructure and equipment are aimed at improving the efficiency and/or scale of operations. Port infrastructure (such as quay walls, breakwaters, access channels, and basins) plays a primary role in the feasibility and efficiency of port operations, and the space available for port services. Port operations are also determined by the type of cargo handled (for example, containers, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and vehicles) or other activities, such as passenger travel or fishing landing sites. Types of port operations are often separated in different terminals, which can be specialized and present specific equipment or layout. NBS for ports can complement and represent alternatives to traditional solutions for port development. This guide focuses primarily on potential opportunities in essential port infrastructure in marine ports such as in the inner basins and channels. However, other NBS are also possible in the wider maritime sector. NBS can be applicable to both the development of an entirely new port or port facility, and to the enhancement and retrofitting of existing port sites. Improved approaches in developing ports may significantly impact their operational performance and economic efficiency. Maritime and navigation infrastructure projects in the port environment can be split into two categories: those related to new or retrofitted assets, and operations and maintenance activities. Port governance and development also presents both static and dynamic elements: • The static element of port governance and development focuses on the structural assets of a port, such as infrastructure for coastal protection (for example, breakwaters, revetments, and groins) and other civil infrastructure like quay walls, jetties, and piers that enable operations in the port’s water and land area. • The dynamic element of port governance and development focuses on soft infrastructure and maintenance, such as the design of fairways and basins, as well as maintenance dredging to ensure navigability. Ports continuously need to adapt for growth and/or the changing economic, social and environmental contexts. For this, they improve and expand on both static and dynamic infrastructure elements. Challenges experienced in their operational performance are often connected to inadequate static and dynamic infrastructure. Changing contexts, such as an increase in cargo volumes due to economic growth or sea level rise due to climate change, often lead to these inadequacies in port infrastructure. While NBS are more commonly applied to dynamic infrastructure elements, there has been an increase in pilot projects involving NBS for static elements: • Improved port governance and development can be achieved by enhancing a port’s static infrastructure. For example, storms or floods can halt a port’s operations temporarily, lowering performance and revenue. Investments in coastal protection can decrease the operational downtime and increase the port’s performance and revenue, while helping to adapt to climate change and prolong their lifespan. • In addition, dynamic infrastructure can also enhance port governance and development by measures such as reducing maintenance dredging or extending the resilience and lifespan of hard structures. Harnessing novel solutions and system-thinking innovations may support innovative ways to address these complex challenges. Port authorities and developers encounter various challenges in both governance and development. The spectrum and relevance of challenges faced by ports can vary based on their ownership. For instance, state-owned ports might encounter more political pressure, whereas privately operated ports may be more focused on businesses and (international) stakeholders. Nonetheless, in general the challenges in port governance and development for both private and state-owned ports are similar and can be summarized into five main pillars: Note: NBS are also applicable for topside infrastructure such as terminals, buildings, and storage yards. The Catalogue of Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Resilience (World Bank 2021) presents several of these solutions. READ 11 - Chapter 2 - 1. Development and Expansion Ports aim to develop and prepare for the future. This often requires significant investment, especially for infrastructure. Yet, accessing funding can be a significant challenge. Additionally, appropriate permits and sufficient space are required for port development and expansion. Ports’ Continuous Challenge to Keep Developing and Adapting This requires significant funding as well as support from governmental agencies and institutions and sufficient space to develop according to the masterplan. 2. Climate Risk Mitigation Storms and floods can cause serious damage to vulnerable port sites and even render a port temporarily out of service from the action of waves, extreme water levels, and winds. This risk will only increase with climate change. Heat stress due to higher temperatures can also pose an increased risk to port management and workers in the future. Ports located in the Caribbean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Islands, are projected to be confronted with extremely high climate related risks by 2100 (Izaguirre et al. 2020, Verschuur et al. 2023). Meeting and Managing the Risks from the Present and Future Climate Large storms or flooding of a port can bring significant damage and costs, but climate hazards such as waves and winds can also halt operations for a certain amount of time. These risks require mitigation measures and planning in business operations. 3. Performance and Efficiency Ports efficiency in operations influences the return on its infrastructure investments. Coastal dynamics such as waves (both outside and inside the basin), tides, and morphodynamical processes can significantly impact their effectiveness by affecting navigation, access and performance of operations. For example, sediment deposition in navigation channels or low river water levels can obstruct the port’s connectivity with wider transport networks and represent a significant cost for port maintenance. Optimizing Performance and Efficiency of Port Operations It is important to minimize downtime, ease the navigability for arriving vessels, and optimize vessel loading and unloading. 4. Asset Management and Accessibility Ports are constantly managing and maintaining their assets—for example, performing maintenance dredging to ensure sufficient water depth for vessels. This can represent a large source of costs, especially in dynamic coastal and estuarine environments where suspended sediments are deposited within channels or sheltered areas designed for vessel operations. Ensuring Timely and Efficient Asset Maintenance Asset maintenance can be a significant cost item for a port and encompasses hard static assets (such as quays) as well as significant dynamic elements (such as, maintenance dredging). 5. Port Environment and Stakeholders As ports also have a central function in society, they are influenced by environmental and societal contexts; Thus, relationships with stakeholders and the economic system can bring specific challenges to them. Ports’ sustainability will also play an important role in defining the opinion and perception of the wider community and stakeholders, influencing their ‘license to operate’. Alignment with national and international net-zero targets and strategies, ecological mitigation goals, SDGs, and maintenance of good water quality are also part of the license to operate. Coherent and Effective Management of Stakeholders and Environment A port is not only a company but also part of a local, national, and international community. Its position and reputation within these communities must be carefully managed in order to keep its license to operate. 12 Categorization of NBS in the Port Sector The core of the value proposition of specific NBS in ports lies in their ability to address challenges within port governance and development by leveraging ecosystem services, whose effects are difficult to replicate with traditional port infrastructure. NBS can help face these challenges in operations and responsibilities related to governance and development, in addition to more traditional options. While traditional solutions often address a single challenge effectively, NBS can also improve operations, port governance, and development on multiple fronts, by providing several ecosystem services, including hazard mitigation, recreation, environmental outcomes, improving water quality, and carbon sequestration, among others, which can lead to reduced capital investment needs, reduced maintenance, or more comprehensive outcomes. For instance, a traditional rubble mound breakwater effectively protects the port from wave impact, but may have a negative impact on the environment, which can negatively affect the port’s license to operate. Conversely, NBS can also offer other functions and additional benefits that may not only directly impact the port but also contribute more generally to the its wider environment and society. NBS multifunctionality also presents an opportunity for improving port governance and development. Other challenges faced by ports such as nuisance due to heat stress, noise, vibration, dust, and odor can be addressed with NBS for topside infrastructure, although not within the direct scope of this guideline. This specific guide categorizes NBS by the opportunities and entry points they use to address port challenges. Hereafter, types of NBS opportunities are grouped under an NBS Family, leading to a total of four different categories, as outlined below and discussed in Chapter 3 in more detail. These NBS opportunities within a family can also be linked to ports major challenges (Figure 2.1): Working with Coastal Systems NBS emphasize working with natural coastal processes instead of against them. This family focuses on the interaction between ports and their surrounding (coastal) environment. Working with coastal systems can lead to reduced sedimentation issues within the port and create more favorable conditions for vessels. In general terms, this family considers large-scale solutions that require a system-based approach during the early stages of port development, such as selecting the optimal location for a port or terminal that leverages natural processes instead of opposing them. Wave and Coastal Dynamics Attenuation Wave disturbances both outside and inside the port basin can impact port efficiency © Rijksoverheid and operations. Therefore, a family of NBS designed to dampen and protect against waves is logical. Various ecosystems and natural formations can attenuate waves. NBS in this category, such as vegetated features, living shorelines, and reefs can reduce wave energy, dampen wave reflection within a port basin, decrease wave- dominated sediment transport, and/or protect against storm impacts. Beneficial Reuse of Dredged Sediment Capital dredging and maintenance dredging are common activities in ports, making this a widely applicable category. Dredging is primarily conducted to maintain sufficient water depth, but it also results in the collection of large quantities of dredged sediments. Traditionally, these sediments are dumped offshore. However, this family of NBS can advocate for a more circular approach and offer new opportunities for effectively reusing dredged sediments for various purposes, such as wetland restoration, strategic placement to reduce dredging needs, and enhancing coastal protection systems. Enhanced Hard Structures Quay walls, revetments, and breakwaters are essential types of hard infrastructure for every port. However, their design can incorporate the creation of micro-habitat features and increase their environmental outcomes. Quay walls, for example, are challenging to © ECOncrete replace with NBS. However, it is possible to enhance these hard structures to make them more suitable for marine life by making small additions or adjustments, such as tide pools and other ecological enhancements that can support micro-ecosystems and biodiversity. This, in turn, improves the license to operate for port governance and development. 13 - Chapter 2 - Base infrastructure in ports include basins, breakwaters, quay walls and fairways. This infrastructure is designed to address challenges commonly encountered within the five pillars of port governance and development. Figure 2.1 presents a selection of the most relevant challenges for port governance and development, and identifies how NBS families can help in the same challenges. Figure 2.1: Port Challenges within the Five Pillars of Port Governance and Development Challenges in Port Governance and Development Development and Climate Risk Performance and Asset Management Port Environment Expansion Mitigation Efficiency and Accessibility and Stakeholders Challenges: Challenges: Challenges: Challenges: Challenges: Capital expenditures Storm damage Downtime Frequent License to operate maintenance dredging Environmental and Flooding and Difficult navigability social licensing drainage Maintenance of Workforce and safety aging assets management Limited navigational depth Restricted Sea-level rise development space Supply chain and connectivity Interference on vessel loading IWT hinterland connections NBS Families Working with Coastal Wave and Coastal Beneficial Reuse of Enhanced Hard Systems Dynamics Attenuation Dredged Sediment Structures Note: IWT = inland waterways transport 14 Port Challenge Relevant NBS Families Typical challenges observed in port Bubble size indicates general governance and development effectiveness or relevance of an NBS family to address the port challenge Wave and coastal To be able to realize dynamics attenuation infrastructure, assets, or new Working with business, a port requires space, coastal systems permits, and funds. Expenses Environmental and social licensing Development and Expansion Restricted development Enhanced hard space Reuse of sediments structures Due to climate change and the Wave and coastal inherent sensitivity of ports, dynamics attenuation climate risks and their associated damages are becoming increasingly important challenges. Working with coastal systems Climate Risk Storm Flooding and Sea Reuse of Mitigation damage drainage level rise sediments Port performance is significantly Working with decreased by unfavorable waves, coastal systems currents, and water levels. Difficult Downtime Limited navigability depth Performance and Efficiency Loading IWT Wave and coastal interference connections dynamics attenuation Asset management is a large Working with cost item for a port; for example, coastal systems due to excessive sedimentation, erosion, or aging structures. Asset Management Maintenance Aging asset Enhanced hard Reuse of and Accessibility dredging maintenance structures sediments Ports increasingly focus on maintain- Working with ing their license to operate being good coastal systems employers and reliable partners; for example, by contributing to sustain- ability targets, improving biodiversity, or involving the local community. Port Environment and Stakeholders License to Workforce Supply operate management chain Reuse of sediments Wave and coastal dynamics attenuation 15 - Chapter 2 - NBS Family NBS Project Category of NBS, grouped by function Within one NBS family, NBS projects can or type. be chosen with specific functions and services Stakeholders, such as investors, potential clients and governments increasingly recognize the value of environmental, social, and sustainable developments. NBS may offer new opportunities to integrate these aspects into port development and expansion projects. Incorporating NBS into projects can unlock funding from international organizations and investors with stringent environmental and sustainability criteria. Unlike traditional infrastructure, NBS-based infrastructure reduces environmental and social impacts, potentially facilitating easier permitting processes from governmental authorities. Moreover, the societal benefits associated with NBS can reduce local community resistance to new projects if stakeholders are engaged throughout the design and implementation process. Additionally, ports that adopt progressive sustainable developments are likely to appeal to potential clients with advanced sustainability goals themselves, thereby providing a competitive advantage in the market. Many port challenges can be addressed by planning and situating ports and channels considering coastal and riverine system processes in a more sustainable manner, while controlling their effects and impacts on the port. Working with the natural Port siting Restoring riverine Sustainable Working with system can be a cost effective way to and layout ecosystems sediment management Coastal Systems adapt to climate related risks. Waves are often a large contributor to the performance issues of marine operations in a port. For example, waves can reduce Sandy foreshores Enhanced Mangroves accessibility for vessels or cause breakwaters interference with the vessel during loading operations. Different wave Wave and Coastal attenuating NBS can reduce this Dynamics Attenuation impact in or around the port. Salt marshes Reefs This NBS family arguably supports the business case and overall economic efficiency in implementing dredging works. By finding a purpose for dredged sediments near to the port site, costs related to dredge spoil disposal are reduced considerably. Additionally, sediments are retained in Foreshore and land Construction Creation of Beneficial Reuse of the local system and possibly used to reclamation from material habitats Dredged Sediment support environmental mitigation. dredged sediments Hard infrastructure equipped with nature-based features can help create habitats while contributing to increased performance of certain infrastructure elements. The main purpose is to enable and improve biodiversity in and around the port Enhanced quay Hanging and Habitat Enhanced Hard by providing shelter and feeding walls floating structures creation units Structures grounds for marine life. 16 3 NBS IN PORTS: PRESENTATION BY FAMILY - Chapter 3 - Introduction This chapter presents NBS opportunities in ports organized into four key families by the opportunities and entry points to address port challenges. The four NBS families for ports are discussed in more depth below. The range of NBS projects within a family are presented attending to their suitability and other considerations. Each NBS family is described and organized by how the six enablers for successful implementation are met. The rest of the chapter presents the family description, which are structured in subsections according to the following template: How Does it Work? Cost and Benefits In this section, the different NBS that fall within the NBS family Costs for NBS can vary significantly, depending on the are introduced. considerations mentioned in the other sections. However, a general comparison can be made in capital and operational Subsequently, the conventional approach to addressing the expenditures. The cost indications of this section can be made primary challenge or function is outlined under “traditional for different solutions, on a similar scale. However, some function”. It is now proposed that members of the NBS family solutions only work on a sufficiently larger scale or are complex will fulfill this function. to implement, making them significantly more expensive. Finally, in “addressing challenges”, a spider graph (Figure Costs are represented on a five-step scale (Figure 3.2), from 3.1) shows the effectiveness and relevance of the NBS family low to high CAPEX (capital expenditures) and from less OPEX in addressing the main challenges for port governance and (operational expenditures) than traditional alternatives to higher development as described in Chapter 2, Figure 2.1. OPEX than the traditional or gray alternative. The reasoning and Outstanding benefits for port governance and development, as considerations for the cost indications are given in text. shown in the spider graph, are elaborated upon in text. Figure 3.2: Guide to Reading CAPEX and OPEX scales Figure 3.1: Guide to Reading Effectiveness and Relevance Spider Graphs NBS on this end of the NBS on this end of the spectrum require relatively spectrum require NBS in this family are little CAPEX significant CAPEX very effective in Low CAPEX High CAPEX adressing this challenge Effective NBS are expected to save NBS are expected have OPEX compared to the more OPEX compared to Moderately effective traditional alternative the traditional alternative Beneficial Less OPEX Similar OPEX Higher OPEX With NBS there are not only benefits for port governance and development but also for the environment, society, and local communities. These “societal benefits” are represented through No effect a spider graph (Figure 3.3) and described in detail in Chapter 5: Business cases. Indirect positive influence Figure 3.3: Guide to Reading Societal Cobenefits Spider Graphs NBS in this family have a Visualizations very large contribution to enhancing this cobenefit In this section, more information is given on the way NBS from Large contribution the NBS family function and their typical locations in the port area. Medium These locations are indicated in a schematic port with colored contribution pins. The color of the pin matches the color of the NBS measure. Technology and System Considerations Small contribution NBS can enhance the way port governance and development No contribution deal with their challenges, but only if they are implemented Very small well. To realize and implement, the most important (technical) contribution considerations are described for each NBS family. Stakeholder and Institutional Alignment Management, Monitoring, and Maintenance This section elaborates on the dimensions and considerations Effective management, monitoring, and maintenance of NBS with respect to the multistakeholder approach, institutional are crucial due to their dynamic and flexible nature. In this embedding, and capacity strengthening. The matrix provides a process, each NBS family has specific considerations, which basis of factors relevant for successful implementation: are presented in this section. what knowledge is required, what to do in the project cycle, and for long term success. 18 NBS FAMILY: WORKING WITH COASTAL SYSTEMS CASE STUDY Sandbar Breakwaters of Lekki Port, Nigeria and Lome Port, Togo This example uses the local coastal dynamics to enhance breakwater design. - Chapter 3 - How Does it Work? Ports and their infrastructure interact with the broader coastal and/or estuarine system where they are located, affecting them both substantially. NBS can play an important role in these interactions. The aim of the “working with coastal systems” family is aligning the port infrastructure and operations with the natural conditions. Aligning with natural flows and processes can allow a port to reduce operational downtime and capital expenditures for protection structures as well as lessen operational expenditures for maintenance. At the same time, this may lead to ecosystem benefits by minimizing corresponding human interventions (De Boer et al. 2019; EcoShape “Enablers”; Wijdeveld et al. 2024; van der Spek et al. 2020). This NBS family acts on a larger system scale and its solutions aim to keep infrastructural and maintenance interventions to a minimum. They are aimed at exploiting natural system understanding to prevent new human interventions and, where feasible, undo historic ones to maximize the ecosystem benefits while not jeopardizing the basic functioning of the port (De Boer et al. 2019). Examples of NBS in this family can influence salt-fresh water gradients at ports in river mouths, optimize the port site and local flow patterns, and help sustainably manage sedimentation. This is relevant for ports in reducing their CAPEX and OPEX, minimizing their environmental footprints and maintaining their license to operate from society. Nature-Based Solutions in This Family Port Siting and Layout Restoring Estuarine or Riverine Ecosystems Utilizing natural characteristics of geography, Restoring or using natural water and sediment climate, hydrology, and morphology in the early flows can enhance a port’s protection and design stages of greenfield port developments efficiency. This can be done by addressing can help optimize and adjust the design to impacts of historic human interventions, such as leverage the natural system to minimize human water control structures like storm surge barriers, interventions and maximize ecosystem benefits. locks, or weirs. Removing or adjusting them This minimizes construction or reduces the restores tidal dynamics, salinity gradients and amount of (maintenance) dredging works required ecological connections. For example, tidal parks (De Boer et al. 2019; Van der Spek et al 2020). can be a solution along the riverine or estuarine embankments while benefiting habitat creation, biodiversity, and water quality (EcoShape Sustainable Sediment Management “restoring estuarine ecosystems”; Wolfstein 2018). This NBS can mitigate port infrastructure and dredging impacts on natural sediment transport and the related costs. It is possible to restore or use natural longshore sediment transport for port protection and efficiency. Sediment bypassing schemes redirect the updrift accreted sediments to the downdrift side, reducing port sedimentation and coastal erosion. Utilizing tidal and river dynamics can help to efficiently transport dredged sediments to sea. However, there can also be adverse effects, such as sediment blockage, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and ecosystem disturbance. This NBS is strongly linked to the family of “beneficial reuse of dredged sediments” (Carvalho et al, 2022). Traditional Function: Making sure the port withstands natural conditions using traditional infrastructure such as breakwaters, locks, and weirs; recurring (at times large-scale) dredging and nourishing. Figure 3.4: Effectiveness and Relevance of the Working with Coastal System NBS Family Addressing Port Challenges: By working with coastal systems ports especially improve on these challenges: 1. Improve license to operate: Better alignment of the port with surrounding nature results in enhanced compliance with recent environmental and social requirements for operational and development licenses. 2. Reduce operational and maintenance cost: Utilizing natural features may reduce the need and costs, for example, for breakwaters, downtime, and dredging maintenance. 3. Offer multi-use cases that may facilitate multi-party financing of NBS and benefit multiple stakeholders; for example, tourism, recreation, and the port community. 20 Visualizations PORT SITING AND LAYOUT Consider natural characteristics such as © Amonitas - Bonifacio Harbour naturally deep waters, cliffs, or mangroves. Providing shelter from wind and wave exposure can minimize risks for port infrastructure and operations and reduce the need for gray infrastructure that will negatively influence the environment around the port. RESTORING ESTUARINE OR RIVERINE ECOSYSTEMS Concepts such as “room for the river” or restoring estuarine and river dynamics can reestablish or improve hydrodynamics and morphodynamics in a port environment. © Adobe stock Creating “room for the river” can reduce tidal pumping and, thereby, sedimentation in downstream port area. Creation of tidal parks contributes to reduced flooding. Ecologically, such efforts can reinstate or protect ecosystem connectivity and restore salinity gradients to benefit the natural local ecosystem. Careful consideration of water management impacts is essential. SUSTAINABLE SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT Sediment bypass techniques artificially restore natural sediment transport processes to maintain the natural sediment balance. This is potentially a more cost-efficient option as natural processes are used for © Blunturi sediment distribution and dredging costs can be avoided. This solution can also reduce negative environmental impacts and avoid coastal erosion and flooding downstream. Sandbar breakwaters integrate the upstream accretion of sediment into the design of breakwaters, reducing the need for hard infrastructure material, thereby saving costs. It requires abundant local sediment being available, suitable locations in terms of topography, flow, and sediment deposition patterns, and should not interfere with ecologically vulnerable areas. 21 - Chapter 3 - 22 Technology and System Considerations To leverage and implement NBS in this family, the following considerations and assessments are important: Technical Considerations: Location Selection Locations with favorable ambient conditions will make port operations safer and more efficient, reduce costs for civil works (for example, breakwaters) and dredging; and contribute to compliance with environmental regulations to maintain the port’s license to operate. A port’s exact location and orientation should be chosen in such a way that its basin experiences mild conditions (wind, waves, and currents), sufficient ambient water depth to accommodate ship draughts, and limited sediment transport and concentrations to minimize port sedimentation. To minimize adverse ecological effects, sites in biogeographically unique areas with a unique function in the local ecosystem or in protected or sensitive ecosystems are preferably avoided (De Boer et al. 2019). Vessel Size and Cargo Type The natural conditions to which the port layout will be designed have to be tailored to vessel and cargo requirements. Open or unsheltered port concepts or offshore terminals are viable options if ambient wave conditions align with the port’s required uptime, typical ship sizes, and cargo. For example, container carrier operations are more vulnerable to wind and waves than bulk carriers. Sometimes, innovative mooring systems can preserve uptime in exposed environments (and save infrastructure costs). It is relevant to verify the presence of long (infragravity) waves as they are typically very relevant for the operability of moored vessels and hard to mitigate. Sediment Use Sustainable sediment management optimally uses sediments within ports and surrounding coastal and estuarine systems based on an in-depth understanding of local hydrodynamics and morphodynamics, and especially sediment transport patterns, quantities, types (sand, mud, or gravel), and quality (for example, contamination). Solutions include reducing port sedimentation, improving dredging efficiency and/or beneficial reuse of sediments (see also: the “beneficial reuse of sediments” family). Contaminated sediments may hamper relocation or reuse due to environmental and health restrictions. Sediment Bypassing Apart from smart site selection and layout, reduced port sedimentation can be accomplished by sediment bypassing schemes. They proactively bypass updrift sediments to the downdrift side to restore the sediment balance. The downdrift placement of sediments can contribute to reducing coastal erosion or flood risks in the form of nourishments, sandy foreshores, or mudflats (see also: the “wave and coastal dynamics attenuation” family). Sediment Trapping More efficient dredging strategies make use of the natural system dynamics to reduce dredging efforts. For example, sediment traps and smart release of dredged sediments in the tidal flow. The reduction in dredging efforts reduces costs, GHG emissions, and the adverse ecosystem impacts of dredging. Restoring Estuarine or Riverine Ecosystems These solutions restore natural dynamics by strategically adjusting or removing gray structures (for example, barriers, locks, or weirs). Before removal, the larger-scale effects on the water system, the port and the environment need analyzing, including the effects on water levels, current velocities, sediment transport, and salt intrusion. In planning their adjustment or removal, the original functionalities should be considered and weighed against the potential benefits. Benefits depend on the state and uniqueness of the estuarine and riverine ecosystems. Restoring the system dynamics can enhance nutrient circulation, stimulate habitat growth and regeneration, increase opportunities for food production, improve water quality and reduce methane emissions. Management, Monitoring, and Maintenance Monitoring of Natural Processes This involves regular monitoring of parameters in the port and its interface with the natural environment to understand changes in natural processes (for example, current monitoring and recurrence of extreme events). Monitoring and Maintenance of Changing NBS in Changing Conditions Climate changes may alter parameters such as currents, wind and wave regimes, water depth, and others, which may require adjustments to port siting and layout design to adjust and optimize morphology and hydrodynamics to the benefit of port maintenance and operations. 23 - Chapter 3 - Cost and Benefits Figure 3.5: Societal Cobenefits of the Working with Coastal Systems Port Siting and Layout Design NBS Family Making use of natural processes in port siting and layout does not have to cost anything extra, especially if sufficient space is available. However, a lot of knowledge of the local environment is required and needs to be gathered. This would mean investment is required, es- pecially in terms of significant additional consultancy fees and time. It can lead to significant cost savings over a port’s lifetime. For example, the Port of Lekki, Nigeria uses longshore sedimentation to its advan- tage, using the sandbar breakwater concept (see Chapter 4). Restoring Estuarine or Riverine Ecosystems With low technical complexity, , the scale of this measure can be large and influence a significant catchment area. A good example is the “Room for the River” project in the Netherlands which represents a floodplain management approach to river restoration (STOWA 2013). Sustainable Sediment Management Measures within this NBS can differ from nourishment techniques such as pumps (for example in the Tweed River entrance in Australia) or stra- tegic placement of sediments, to groins or other structures to influence sediment dynamics for the benefit of the port operations and the ecosys- tems. The investment in such measures can be significant but of a much smaller scale than for example reclamations. Stakeholder and Institutional Alignment Table 3.1: Areas for Stakeholder and Institutional Alignment Working with Coastal Systems Multistakeholder approach Institutional embedding Capacity strengthening Required Exchange with system-thinkers from Gap analysis of coastal resilience in port Facilitators who can connect knowledge the region in a variety of disciplines, development policies and zoning regula- different disciplines and on a system such as urban, environmental, coastal, tions, understanding of NBS objectives scale to leverage knowledge from and social (cultural), centering under- and alignment opportunities with (inter-) individual experts and share it in an standing of processes in the region. national ambitions, funding, and plans. accessible manner. Project cycle Collaborate with morphologists, local Incorporate coastal interface design Provide technical training on NBS communities, and NGO’s in designing principles into port master plans and design and implementation for port and implementing coastal interface development guidelines. development teams; where possible, projects, defining multifunctional connect with stakeholders to capture benefits, and reducing risks. system knowledge and avoid impacts. Long-term Engage local community Solidify project by establishing Conduct public education campaigns success organizations, knowledge brokers governing structures; for example, and workshops to exchange knowl- (private or public), and local advisory board or stakeholder edge on NBS and empower local governments to develop long-term committees to ensure ongoing communities to participate in coastal strategies. community involvement. planning and decision-making. 24 NBS FAMILY: WAVE AND COASTAL DYNAMICS ATTENUATION CASE STUDY Mangroves Attenuating Waves in Jakarta Fishing Port (JFP), Indonesia For this example, reforestation of mangroves at the port was used to provide shelter for vessels - Chapter 3 - How Does it Work? Attenuating wave and coastal dynamics is critical to providing calm waters for safe transit of vessels and maximizing uptime for port operations. Therefore, it is a central feature in port design. Traditional breakwaters, however, often involve extensive use of non-renewable materials and can disrupt local ecosystems and morphology. There is a growing interest in NBS to support coastal structures while minimizing environmental impact. Nature-based infrastructure for wave attenuation leverages natural elements such as vegetation, reefs, sand, and other locally available materials to reduce wave energy and trap sediments. These structures work with nature, rather than against it, minimizing sedimentation in the port, promoting biodiversity and improving water quality. Nature-Based Solutions in This Family Sandy Foreshores Salt Marshes Sandy beaches with dunes may prove a Incoming waves and currents are reduced by resilient buffer against waves and storms, for salt marshes. Additionally salt marshes can trap vessels to shelter behind. sediments that otherwise need to be dredged from nearby infrastructure or are diverted to the surrounding environment. By trapping sediment, salt marshes can keep up with sea level rise and Ecologically Enhanced Breakwaters maintain flood mitigation functions. Enhancement of rock structures such as rubble mound dams or placedstone revetments will improve eco-friendliness and biodiversity while providing the required stability. Many Reefs existing structures can be relatively easily retrofitted without the need for extensive works. Natural and artificial reefs can mitigate the impact of incoming waves. For areas with mild environments, they can reduce Mangroves wave conditions enough for ports to stay The natural strength of salt water vegetation, operational. Additionally, they influence such as mangroves, is capable of withstanding hydrodynamics and flow circulation that can be and attenuating mild wave forces. Additionally, used for sediment diversion. In areas without the roots and stems help to trap sediment and naturally existing reefs, artificial structures may stabilize the soil, resulting in reduced erosion provide a feasible option. and, ideally, accretion. Traditional Function: A breakwater will shelter the port basin from waves Figure 3.6: Effectiveness and Relevance of the Wave and Coastal Dynamics Attenuation NBS Family Addressing Port Challenges: By using NBS to attenuate waves ports especially improve on these challenges: 1. Downtime and interference on vessel loading: Waves can hamper vessels entering the port, and hinder or even stop loading operations when penetrating the port basin. Even small waves can impact vessel loading when reflecting against quay walls. NBS can be very effective in countering these issues. 2. Environmental and social enhancement: Many NBS in this family can provide natural, green alternatives for traditionally gray solutions. 3. Storm damage: NBS is this family do not only protect against the impact and overtopping of large storm waves but can also provide a barrier against storm surge and grow with sea level rise. 26 Visualizations SANDY FORESHORES Sandy foreshores can shelter vessels from waves and winds. They can be built instead of, or to reinforce, rubble mound breakwaters. Dunes on these foreshores offer storm protection and can be elevated to counter sea level rise and other increasing © EcoShape climate risks. ECOLOGICALLY ENHANCED BREAKWATERS AND REVETMENTS Rubble mound breakwaters and revetments can be engineered to promote biodiversity and habitat development. This can be achieved by employing specialized concrete elements, providing textured surfaces for marine life © ECOncrete attachment, and incorporating ecological niches within the rock formations. These measures not only enhance the ecological value of the infrastructure but also contribute to structural strength and durability. MANGROVES Mangrove belts have dense roots above the soil that capture sediment and dissipate wave © Rianda - Everglades Florida energy, creating natural coastal barriers that provide shelter for vessels, reduce erosion, and limit flooding in inland areas. Rehabilitation projects focus on creating suitable conditions for sediment accumulation to encourage natural mangrove regeneration. Where space is limited, mangrove development can integrate with breakwaters or seawalls to achieve wave attenuation and overtopping. SALT MARSHES Salt marshes help reduce incoming waves and currents. The vegetation in marshes captures sediment in the intertidal zone, raising the ground level and reducing wave impact. Reconstruction efforts include © Google Earth improved shelter from waves in areas with enough fine sediment to encourage marsh growth. 27 - Chapter 3 - REEFS Reefs are natural breakwaters with a demonstrated capacity to withstand storm © Tripadvisor - Port Douglas winds and waves, mitigating the impact of extreme weather on ports and vessels. Reefs should be preserved where possible but can also be created using artificial units for corals or shellfish to attach themselves to. Reefs are known for their biodiversity and productivity and are, as such, popular spots for divers and fishers, both recreational and commercial. 28 Technology and System Considerations To leverage and implement NBS in this family, the following considerations and assessments are important: Technical Considerations: Dimensions and Available Space NBS often require more space than traditional methods. In order to be stable, and resilient against extreme weather conditions, wave attenuating NBS need a substantial cross-shore width. Eventually the dimensions are determined by the tidal range and wave climate. The size of the solution should be compatible with the port interface with the sea, often necessitating more space than traditional methods. The available space around the port entrance and its interface with the sea should be sufficient to accommodate a large-scale NBS. A delicate balance is required to protect assets during extreme weather events while maintaining normal operations under daily conditions. Soil Characteristics Nature-based wave attenuating solutions often are (dependent on) soft, sandy or even muddy solutions, tectonic stability, and slope and soil characteristics. Also, for mangroves, salt marshes, and other ecosystems, the slope and soil properties are essential for their stability and resilience. The naturally occurring sediments will, therefore, also dictate what kind of NBS within this family are feasible. Resilience In the face of uncertain future scenarios, NBS stand out as a sustainable and resilient alternative to traditional structural solutions, as they provide a more holistic fix for port challenges, aligning with both ecological and regulatory frameworks. Due to the sedimentation enhancing properties of many wave attenuating measures, they are capable of growing with sea level rise and increasing in size, thus increasing their wave attenuation in a port. Sediment Management An NBS should be morphologically efficient. This can be both a strength and weakness of such an NBS. They can affect in-port sedimentation by obstructing river flow and settlement of inflowing sediment as well as affecting out-port morphology by obstructing sediment flow patterns. However, NBS can also help in controlling the direction of erosion in a specific location or over a wider region. Climate Different ecosystems thrive under different types of climates. An NBS that works with the ecosystem should be built around the needs and properties of local biospheres and species. When choosing the type of wave attenuating measure, once should make sure that it suits the climate and is indigenous in the port region. For example, mangroves occur mostly in tropical climates, whereas salt marshes are often better suited in milder climates. Management, Monitoring, and Maintenance Monitoring and Maintenance of Changing NBS in Changing Conditions Monitoring and maintenance are needed to upkeep the functionality of NBS as they are highly dynamic and change over time due to erosion or sedimentation and local conditions, but also with sea-level rise and other long-term drivers. Therefore, it is essential to monitor, assess, and maintain and adapt accordingly. To maintain performance and change port layouts when needed, adaptive management strategies are aligned with the dynamic nature of NBS. Setting up monitoring protocols, intervention thresholds, and responsive actions can help maintain the integrity and effectiveness of these solutions. Compliance with Changing Regulations As local, national, and international regulations can evolve over the years, it is important to make sure that NBS still comply. Accommodation for Future Port Development As a port develops, so does its footprint. As NBS can occupy a significant footprint, it is important to make sure that its developments fit within the long-term port master plan. 29 - Chapter 3 - Cost and Benefits Figure 3.7: Societal Cobenefits of the Wave and Coastal Dynamics Sandy Foreshores Attenuation NBS Family Sandy foreshores or breakwaters, such as the one on Maasvlakte II in the Port of Rotterdam, can be competitive in shallow waters, especially if combined with other coastal functions, such as flood protection. However, it can be an expensive solution because of its scale and required maintenance. Enhanced Breakwaters This measure mainly involves, replacing rock or concrete elements (see ECOncrete examples in Chapter 4) with adapted concrete elements. These concrete elements should not impose significantly larger costs than traditional armor rock. Mangroves and Salt Marshes Construction is often limited to applying sediment and construction of rock and brushwood dams to achieve the right elevation and shelter. However, the scale of this measure should be large enough to make sure that the ecosystem can sustain itself, making it costly as a whole. Maintenance can be intensive but relatively low-cost. Reefs Construction works imply depositing special concrete elements or wracks for corals or oysters to attach themselves to (as well as artificial reef designs with structural, ecological, and biological engineered features (for example, Reefense, X-Reefs, and Reefy). Stakeholder and Institutional Alignment Table 3.2: Areas for Stakeholder and Institutional Alignment Wave and Coastal Dynamics Attenuation Multistakeholder approach Institutional embedding Capacity strengthening Required Engage a multitude of local expertise, Embed projects within port infra- Engage facilitators who can transmit knowledge such as coastal engineers, marine structure and align NBS objective the value of ecological, social, and ecologists, social impact specialists, with (inter)national plans and secure economic benefits to stakeholders. governance experts and local funding from relevant agencies. authorities. Project cycle Foster collaboration between port Integrate NBS into port policies and Provide workshops on construction authorities, environmental agencies, regulations and establish govern- techniques and maintenance of and local (indigenous) communities ing structure, including those affect wave attenuation solutions. during all stages. beyond port borders. Long-term Establish a monitoring committee with Develop protocols for long-term Train local communities to partici- success representatives from academia, the monitoring and maintenance, involv- pate in data collection and reporting. government, communities, and non- ing relevant stakeholders. Facilitate spaces for NBS ideas and governmental organizations (NGOs). suggestions with stakeholders 30 NBS FAMILY: BENEFICIAL REUSE OF SEDIMENTS CASE STUDY Horseshoe Bend in the Lower Atchafalaya River, United States In this example, dredged sediments are used to reclaim a natural wetland island, which improves the navigability of an important maritime corridor. - Chapter 3 - How Does It Work? Marine ports handle vast volumes of dredged sediment, whether resulting from capital or maintenance dredging or reclaiming new land. This represents a significant and frequent cost to maintaining port operations. Strategic sediment management is crucial for maintaining port functionality and supporting expansion efforts. Often, dredged sediment is discarded in marine landfills on land or offshore, a practice that can increase GHG emissions and disrupt local ecosystems. However, sediment holds significant environ- mental, economic, and social value. Successful cases, such as the Harwich Haven project (Save Mersea Harbour project), where dredged material was used to reclaim two islands for coastal protection and habitat creation, demonstrate the practical benefits and feasibility of reusing sediment through NBS projects (Chen et al. 2018). Utilizing dredged sediment within or near the port area can help minimize disposal distances, reducing dredging vessel travel times and the associated emissions. This approach also creates environmental and recreational opportunities, contributing positively to both the port and its surrounding environment and community, as well as amplifying its business case (Murray 2008). Successfully implementing beneficial use of sediment requires navigating regulatory frameworks and ensuring stakeholder collaboration (STOWA n.d.). Further, strategic use of sediment can also lead to livelihood opportunities. Nature-Based Solutions in This Family Foreshore and Land Reclamation Construction Material Sediment from dredging works can be used Sediment typically considered unsuitable, like fine for the design of breakwaters and coastal and soft sediment, can be adapted for construction protection. Incorporating a foreshore can purposes. Methods like geotubes, compressed reduce the design requirements of the blocks from dredged material, and clay ripening offer traditional structure and create an attractive innovative opportunities; for example, in the Marconi natural area. In addition, sediment from clay ripening project (EcoShape n.d.). The reuse of dredging can be used to reclaim additional sediment in ports aims to dismiss the need for operational areas within the port. offshore disposal and promotes circularity. This can not only decrease GHG emissions and minimize environmental impact but also has the potential to decrease operational costs. Restoration, Rehabilitation, and Creation of Habitats Sediment can support ecosystem restoration by nourishing mangroves and salt marshes, as seen in the mud motor approach (Baptist et al., 2019). It can also create new habitats that enhance biodiversity, including bird islands, salt marshes, and natural foreshores. These habitats provide coastal protection by dissipating wave energy due to the presence of a foreland and additional friction provided by vegetation. By trapping sediment, salt marshes and mangroves can adapt to sea level rise and improve water quality. They also serve as vital feeding and breeding habitats for various species. Successful restoration requires designing and constructing structures appropriate to local environmental conditions. Traditional Function: Traditionally, dredged sediment is disposed of in marine landfills or at offshore sites or on land, often requiring long travel distances and disposal fees, making the process time-consuming and costly. Figure 3.8: Effectiveness and Relevance of the Beneficial Reuse of Dredged Sediments NBS Family Addressing Port Challenges: By reusing dredged sediments ports can especially improve on these challenges: 1. Footprint to develop: Sediments from dredging works can be reused to create new areas within the port if the sediment quality is high enough. 2. Capital cost reduction: Utilizing dredged sediment for an additional function in the port or society can bring additional value to the inevitable investment in maintenance dredging. 3. License to operate: Reusing dredged sediments to strengthen coastal defenses or create additional nature, can be both beneficial for the port (as sediments do not have to be disposed elsewhere) and improve relations with local governments, communities, and international organizations. 32 Visualizations LAND AND FORESHORE © Jurriaan Brobbel - Zandmotor RECLAMATION Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from sediment from oceans, riverbeds, or lakes. This is typically done by infilling the area with soil or other materials to expand usable space for different purposes, such as development, agriculture, or coastal protection. Dredged material from maintenance and capital dredging operations can be repurposed for both land and foreshore reclamation projects, promoting the sustainable and efficient use of resources. CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL From waste (dredged sediment) to source (dredged sediment) to product (dike reinforcements, construction blocks, coral reef foundations, and so on), there has © Google Earth Pro been a change in perception from trash to the multitude of possible functions for dredging material. Also, this approach can result in additional income, which helps offset operational dredging costs. RESTORATION, REHABILITATION, © The Missoulian - Flathead Islands AND CREATION OF HABITATS Dredged material can be beneficially used for restoration, rehabilitation, and ecosystem creation. For example, it can be utilized to create new wetlands, enhance existing habitats, rebuild eroded coastlines, and/or as a source of nutrients for agricultural areas. By repurposing dredged material in such ways, it contributes to sustainable ecosystem management and helps mitigate environmental impacts of dredging activities. 33 - Chapter 3 - 34 Technology and System Considerations To leverage and implement NBS in this family, the following considerations and assessments are important: Technical Considerations: Sediment Characteristics Knowledge of sediment characteristics is crucial for determining the goal and design of beneficial use of sediment projects. Factors such as grain size distribution, organic content, and mineral composition influence the sediment suitability for the named function. Coarser sediment can be directly used for beach nourishment or coastal protection projects, while finer and softer sediment can be used for habitat restoration or may require additional processing. Conducting sediment analyses ensures that sediment is used effectively. Contamination Managing contamination is essential to avoid environmental risk when using dredged sediment, especially from port areas. The sediments can contain pollution such as heavy metals, hydrocarbon, or nutrients that require mitigation to meet regulations. Containment treatment should be considered for heavily contaminated soil before using (CEDA 2010). System Thinking Beneficial use of dredged sediment should be adapted to the specific site conditions to optimize the project outcomes. Ports should consider local hydrodynamic conditions, local needs, and ecological sensitivity when making decisions on sediment placement or habitat creation. The projects should expand the natural values of the existing ecosystem instead of disturbing (Taneja, van der Hoek, and van Koningsveld 2019). Construction Approach To restore, rehabilitate, or create habitats, a choice can be made between using a passive or active approach. Passive methods allow natural processes to shape the function while active methods have immediate effect. Ports must evaluate site-specific goals and conditions to determine the best approach, balancing the need for fast results that could represent a shock within the system with long-term sustainability. Logistics Ports need to allocate resources to realize NBS. Methods like clay ripening, geotubes, and compressed blocks (Geowall n.d.) require land for dewatering processes, while rehabilitation, restoration, and creation of habitats require marine area. Planning logistics should ensure adequate space and proximity to the dredged areas to reduce costs and enhance the overall success of these projects. Availability of sediments should also coincide with timing of land reclamation or nature creation. Supply Frequency When designing projects, a port must consider whether there will be a continuous annual supply (for example, annual maintenance dredging) or a one-time volume. Restoration and rehabilitation projects benefit from yearly sources of sediment, while foreshore construction might benefit from a one-time intervention. Understanding the source of material helps tailor the design to best utilize available resources. Management, Monitoring, and Maintenance Monitoring and Maintenance of Changing NBS in Changing Conditions Monitoring and maintenance are needed to upkeep the functionality of NBS as they are highly dynamic and change over time due to erosion or sedimentation and local conditions, but also with sea level rise and other long-term drivers. Therefore, it is essential to monitor, assess, and maintain and adapt accordingly. To maintain performance and change port layouts when needed, adaptive management strategies are aligned with the dynamic nature of NBS. Setting up monitoring protocols, intervention thresholds, and responsive actions can help maintain the integrity and effectiveness of these solutions. Accommodation for Future Port Development As a port develops, so does its footprint. As NBS can occupy a significant footprint, it is important to make sure that its developments fit within the long-term port masterplan. Additionally, the port masterplan can reserve space, and time to accommodate the opportunities associated with the beneficial reuse of sediments. 35 - Chapter 3 - Cost and Benefits Figure 3.9: Societal Cobenefits of the Beneficial Reuse of Dredged Restoration and Creation of Habitats Sediments NBS Family Looking at large projects like the Marker Wadden in the Netherlands, this measure can become very expensive (EcoShape n.d.). However, such measures can easily take place at a smaller scale as well. In general, habitats require much lower technical demands than terminal areas or flood protections, for example. Land and Foreshore Reclamation Many ports around the world have already used this type of NBS. Landscape design with dredging material can have various livelihood opportunities. As the dredger and disposal location are already required for the dredging of a channel, for example, the main costs of this measure are mainly due to the drainage and ground improvement of the new land, reclaimed from dredged material. Construction Material Measures like clay ripening, used in the Marconi project in the north of the Netherlands, mainly require a lot of space and effort (EcoShape n.d.). However, the new construction material can be resold for other purposes helping to offset the upfront costs. Stakeholder and Institutional Alignment Table 3.3: Areas for Stakeholder and Institutional Alignment Beneficial Reuse of Dredged Sediments Multistakeholder approach Institutional embedding Capacity strengthening Required Local ecological system and governance Gap analysis of (inter)national reuse Engage facilitators who can harness knowledge and regulatory understanding, con- of sediment guidelines (opportunities creativity for alternative dredged ma- tracting regulations, coastal processes and bottlenecks). Establish guidelines terial applications, thereby connect- and design, and sediment assessment for beneficial reuse projects within ing demand and offer. expertise (aligning demand and offer). port authority policies and regulation.  Project cycle Collaborate with port authorities, environ- Integrate dredged sediment consid- Offer workshops on sustainable mental agencies, and local communities erations into port development plans sediment management practices to develop beneficial use of dredged sed- and environmental management sys- for port planners and engineers, as iment plans. Benefits can be identified tems. Establish governing structure well as to communities to exchange within as well as beyond port borders. for transparency of usage. knowledge. Long-term For new, large-scale dredging Establish partnerships with organiza- Provide technical training on sedi- success projects, opportunities for alterna- tions involved in habitat restoration ment reuse techniques and project tive uses should be discussed with and coastal protection for continuity management for port development stakeholders from within the port as of the project. teams and contractors. Assess op- well as potentially impacted areas. portunities for local stewardship. 36 NBS FAMILY: ENHANCING HARD STRUCTURES CASE STUDY Adding Complexity for Life on Hard Quay Wall Structures in Vigo Port, Spain In this example, a specialized concrete mixture is used and complexity is added to quay wall elements. This way, hard port structures are made better suitable for marine life. - Chapter 3 - How Does it Work? Enhanced hard structures, such as quay walls, revetments, floating or hanging structures, and creation of microhabitat units, can be part of the design to promote marine biodiversity and support ecosystem functions in otherwise inhospitable traditional hard solutions. Ecologically enhanced design features are integrated into existing infrastructures, to mimic natural habitats of various scales. Some of these features may include varying textures, added complexity, and substrate types that attract and provide refuge for marine organisms. By offering substrate for marine life to colonize, feed, and reproduce, these ecological enhancements aim to restore ecological bal- ance and increase biological diversity, ultimately transforming sterile urban marine infrastructures into thriving ecological habitats that also provide ecosystem services like water purification and hydrodynamic energy dissipation. This can be relevant in helping ports and other entities comply with environmental regulations, offset negative ecological effects, and/or improve the water quality. Nature-Based Solutions in This Family Enhanced Quay Walls and Revetments Hanging and Floating Structures Quay walls and revetments in ports can Hanging and floating structures are designed to support habitat creation and biodiversity by enhance the ecological value of port areas by incorporating different textures, complexity, and creating additional habitats for marine life by substrate types into hard structures. This not mimicking natural underwater environments that only helps in building a more biodiverse marine support various species, from small invertebrates ecosystem but also aids in improving water to fish. Such structures not only contribute to quality and increasing the structural stability of ecological resilience but also to the aesthetic the walls. For example, pilot projects with living and environmental and water quality of the port seawalls in various locations have demonstrated area. (Paalvast et al. 2012; Calheiros 2020). improved ecological values of artificial structures in urban waterfronts (Paalvast et al. 2022; Maslov et al. 2024; Perkol-Finkel et al. 2018) Habitat Creation Units Habitat creation units—for example, artificial experimental units—create small, artificial habitats that are protected by structures such as cages to improve ecological functions in aquatic environments (Mercader et al. 2017). Installed just below the water surface on port infrastructures, these features are crucial for enhancing biodiversity by fostering a nursery function for juvenile fish, supporting ecological balance, and aiding in the restoration of natural aquatic ecosystems. Habitat creation can also be fostered by adjusting the geometries of revetment units that can protect port entries (MacArthur et al. 2020; Moschella et al. 2005). Traditional Function: Hard structures like quay walls are necessary structures for ports that are solely focused on harboring vessels. Figure 3.10: Effectiveness and Relevance of the Enhanced Hard Structures NBS Family Addressing Port Challenges: By enhancing hard structures, ports can especially improve on these challenges: 1. Interference with vessel loading: Even small wave action inside the port basin can make loading more difficult, especially when these waves are reflecting against quay walls. By dampening these waves, loading efficiency can be increased (Salauddin et al. 2021). 2. Assets maintenance reduction: Textured and hanging elements can dampen the currents and wave load on hard structures and scour protection, extending their lifespan. 3. License to operate and environmental permits: The presence of substrates for filter feeders enhances water filtration, effectively reducing turbidity and improving water quality. This mitigates the port’s environmental impacts in the port basin and its surroundings. (Hamani et al. 2024) 38 Visualizations ENHANCED QUAY WALLS AND REVETMENTS Enhancing artificial structures increases their ecological value in the marine environment. The eco-design mimics © Port of Rotterdam and creates micro-habitat features that can be favorable to the colonization of native species. Materials such as eco- or biologically attractive concrete and special design considerations (for example, crevasses, hole sized, and complexity) can attract species such as algae, oysters, and sponges as well as fish, crabs, worms, and snails to settle on and around the quay wall or revetments. (Lui et al. 2021; Rella et al. 2017; Sella et al. 2021) HANGING AND FLOATING STRUCTURES Hulas are suspended rope structures designed to attract substrate-dependent or attached organisms, such as mussels. They also provide refuge for other species. Floating wetland islands are manmade, © EcoShape anchored rafts on the water’s surface that create habitats for native wetland plants, birds, and insects. In turn, the enhanced ecosystems can contribute to food provision for birds, fish, and macrofauna population growth as well as water filtration which improves transparency, toxin removal, and oxygenation. HABITAT CREATION UNITS Artificial reefs or ecologically informed rock selection and placement can fulfill structural functions. Simultaneously, they can contribute to habitat creation that encourages fast colonization and offers © Shutterstock nursery functions. In turn, these efforts can reduce habitat loss caused by port infrastructure. 39 - Chapter 3 - 40 Technology and System Considerations To leverage and implement NBS in this family, the following considerations and assessments are important: Technical and Ecological Considerations: Ecological enhancement of hard structures is generally straightforward, requiring minimal additional space, design, and implementation compared to traditional hard structures. However, the use of non-standard structural elements necessitates specific placement patterns, making installation potentially more complex and costly. The feasibility of these solutions hinges on a trade-off between the availability or production of artificial elements nearby, any additional risks and costs associated with installation, and the expected ecological benefits. Particular attention in planning needs to be given to risks, such as the introduction of non-native species or fostering the dominance of particular species that can affect the ecosystem’s nutrient cycle or sediment composition, for example. Target species, water depth, dynamics, salinity and connectivity are key considerations when ecologically enhancing port infrastructure (Degraer et al. 2020) Target Species Focus Careful attention should be placed on enhancing specific target species. Small, artificial habitats play a role in ecological enhancement, with specific configurations depending on the target species and environmental conditions. The suitability of these enhanced elements depends on factors such as water depth, exposure to harsh conditions, sedimentation rates, and the availability of suspended organic matter that supports target species. Water Depth and Inundation Floating rope hulas are used above average low water (ALW), while sinking ropes are preferred below ALW. Organisms settle much faster below ALW, and although biomass production on hulas above ALW is limited, it remains significant. Using hulas is not recommended if the dry spell exceeds one to two hours. Dynamics Ship propellers cause turbulence, causing the ropes to rub against each other and reduce biomass. This can be mitigated by using fewer ropes and shortening them. Salinity Salinity influences the distribution of species; for example, different types of shellfish. Optimal salinity levels are around five to ten grams per liter for oysters and saltwater mussels, though they can survive lower levels during high river flows, but with reduced growth and reproduction. Freshwater mussels can survive extreme salinity up to seven milligrams centiliter per liter, but won’t grow or reproduce. Sediments and Suspended Organic Particles Excessive silt, sedimentation and turbidity can negatively affect species such as seagrass, fish, or shellfish. To keep shellfish clean and supply them with suspended organic particles (detritus, phytoplankton, and zooplankton), moderate water flow is essential. This is usually not an issue in rivers and tidal waters. In isolated waters, however, the purifying effects can reduce suspended material to levels that inhibit growth or cause starvation in shellfish, suggesting that a lower rope density should be maintained. Connectivity for Migrating Species Harbors connect to the sea and to rivers and thus can be very important to migrating (diadromous) fish. Ecologically enhanced infrastructure can provide them with shelter and feeding grounds, and facilitate access to migration corridors (see also section on working with coastal systems). Management, Monitoring, and Maintenance Maintenance of Enhanced Hard Structures All ecologically enhanced structures can, in principle, have similar design lifetimes as “traditional” hard structures. Often, the application of these structural elements is modular. Hence, if damage occurs, they can fairly easily be replaced or removed for the clearance and harvest of shellfish. The (re)installation may require more effort than for traditional structural elements due to atypical shapes and dedicated placement patterns. Monitoring Monitoring should be determined by objectives. Impacts on biodiversity should involve monitoring species for at least five to six years. The period should account for community maturation and seasonal and annual variations. Impact on fish migration, for example requires monitoring of connectivity functions. Longer Life Cycles The use of materials such as calcium-rich rocks or eco-concrete, for example in quay walls, can enhance settlement of aquatic organisms on infrastructure. If settlement can be achieved and sustained, it can contribute to better durability of infrastructure. 41 - Chapter 3 - Cost and Benefits Enhanced Quay Walls and Revetments Figure 3.11: Societal Cobenefits of the Enhanced Hard Structures NBS This measure mainly involves placing or replacing elements or panels Family on hard structures. For example, this has been done in the Malaga Marina in Spain. Considering potential maintenance on the quay wall can be reduced, this does not have to come at a large additional cost. Hanging and Floating Structures Although the price per hectare (ha), can be expensive, the scale of implementation of hanging and floating structures is generally relatively small compared to other NBS. One of the first times these structures were used was in the polyhaline harbors of the Port of Rotterdam. Habitat Creation Units Material costs for habitat creation units do not have to be high as they can be relatively simple elements. Technical requirements can be low, and the scale small. Therefore, this measure can be a great add-on. An example of a project with habitat creation units is the Biohut project in the Port of San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire. Stakeholder and Institutional Alignment Table 3.4: Areas for Stakeholder and Institutional Alignment Enhanced Hard Structures Multistakeholder approach Institutional embedding Capacity strengthening Required Local system understanding; Perform a gap analysis of ecological Engage facilitators who can knowledge ecological, environmental, and coastal functions in port planning and manage- transmit the relevance of ecological process knowledge; port authority ment frameworks. Assess opportunities biodiversity in ports by linking them objectives and ambitions. for alignment with NBS and national to the cobenefits of the NBS. and international ecological ambitions. Project-cycle Involve landscape architects, Incorporate ecological criteria into Offer workshops on sustainable ecologists, social impact experts and permits. Establish governing structures landscaping, native habitat resto- local (indigenous) communities for maintenance and environmental ration, and multifunctionality and and social impact assessments. benefits to nature and communities. Long-term Partner with schools, universities, Establish educational programs Conduct outreach events and field success and educational institutions to within port facilities and visitor trips to promote environmental raise awareness about ecological centers. stewardship programs. enhancements. 42 4 NBS IN PORTS: CASE STUDIES - Chapter 4 - Introduction To help address the challenges identified from interviews with various stakeholders, this chapter presents different successful examples of NBS used in ports or the maritime sector. It presents one example for each of the NBS families, although there is evidently an overlap as the highlighted NBS have a multitude of functions and benefits. The case studies in this section are from projects across the globe in both developing and developed contexts. Although all enablers have been important for the implementation of the case studies, only the most notable ones are presented. This is to give more insight into the possible lessons learned from a case study. In addition, some other examples of NBS in ports are given at the end of the section. Horseshoe Bend in Adding Complexity for Life the Lower Atchafalaya on Hard Quay Wall Structures River, United States in Vigo Port, Spain Dredged sediments are used Specialized concrete mixture to reclaim a nature wetland adds complexity to quay wall island that improves the elements, Hard port structures navigability of an important are adapted for more suitable maritime corridor. habitats for marine life. Mangroves Against Wave Sandbar Breakwaters of Overtopping at Lekki Port, Nigeria and Breakwaters and Lome Port, Togo Revetments These are examples of in Jakarta Fishing Port using NBS for managing the local coastal dynamics to Reforestation of mangroves enhance breakwater design. at the port is used to provide shelter for vessels. For more examples on NBS examples and Pilots: • EcoShape pilot projects database; • World Bank NBS portfolio; • IAPH sustainable world ports project database; and • ESPO green practices for ports database. 44 Sandbar Outer Breakwater at the Port of Lekki, Nigeria Working with Coastal Systems Photo 4.1: Sandbar Breakwater, Lekki Port, Nigeria. AFRICA: Deep Sea Port © CDR International B.V. of Lekki, Nigeria The Lekki sandbar breakwater project proposes a nature-based design that harnesses natural sand movement and wave dynamics to create a sustainable, adaptable breakwater. Instead of relying solely on traditional, rigid structures, this approach leverages naturally occurring sediment transport patterns to develop an effective port basin. This alignment with natural dynamics reduces wave impacts while minimizing ecological disruption, and decreasing construction time and material costs. The design responds dynamically to environmental shifts, requiring minimal maintenance while ensuring coastal resilience and preserving marine habitats. The sand used in the breakwater is transported and shaped more easily than traditional quarried rock. This ensures that the concept is flexible and allows for relatively easy future port expansions. The soft nature of the sandbar also makes it more adaptable to climate change than conventional breakwaters. Additionally, as most longshore transport sediment is captured by the breakwater, less sediment is expected to end up in the vessel access channels. Lessons Learned 1. NBS can lower project costs significantly by using natural 2. Comprehensive research, modeling, and post-implementation sedimentation patterns, thus reducing the amount of monitoring contribute to the validation of the NBS concept expensive construction materials required. and enable design adjustments for optimal performance. Table 4.1: Deep Sea Port of Lekki Sandbar Breakwater Project Details Indicator Specification Description Location Dangote Quays Lekki, Nigeria n.a. Project timeline 2017–2018 n.a. Sustainable sediment manage- Natural sand movement and wave dynamics have been Type of NBS ment used to reinforce the outer breakwater of the port. Sandy beaches, intertidal Ecosystems n.a. zones, dunes Scale Large 150–200 hectares Owner: Dangote Oil Refining Company Limited, Dangote Funding, design, and realiza- Partners and/or Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE tion financial mechanisms Designer: CDR International and Svašek Contractor: Boskalis Reduced cost compared to Due to use of less expensive materials and a significant Capital expenditures traditional breakwater decrease in construction time. 45 - Chapter 4 - Addressing Port Challenges The sandbar breakwater at Lekki Port, Nigeria, addresses multiple port challenges by providing port infrastructure shelter from waves and stabilizing surrounding coastal areas. An important motivation was the reduction of the required volume of rock (which is not locally available) as well as minimizing the impact on nearby ecosystems. The sandbar, designed using naturally occurring coastal sand transport, is reinforced over time. An integrated approach allows for optimized maintenance of the sandbar breakwater, the port access channel, and the anticipated downdrift erosion of the coastline. The original function of the port was to create a temporary offloading facility enabling large modules to be brought ashore. By creating a sandy solution similar to the natural coastal defenses, the coastal system could restore itself once activities were completed. Furthermore, due to the large and unidirectional longshore sediment transport (resulting from the swell wave–dominated, uniform, steep coast), a conventional rubble mound breakwater would cause a rapid advance of the coastline on the updrift side, ultimately burying the expensive armor rock. The final concept, a sandbar breakwater, follows the Building with Nature philosophy by taking these starting points into account and making use of state-of-the-art mathematical modeling tools to simulate the natural processes and tap into the natural availability of construction materials. This ensured that the breakwater structure will remain dynamically stable and that the steady eastward sand transport will continue to strengthen the breakwater. To counter the impact of an obstruction to downdrift sediment transport, a small-scale, nature-driven “sand engine” was included in the design to mitigate anticipated temporary coastal downdrift retreat. This “sand engine” provides local distribution of the sand to stabilize the coastline over a number of years. Enablers of This Case Management, Monitoring, and Maintenance Business Case The coastline upstream and downstream of the port area The use of sand (taken from the inner basin of the port area) evolves over time, associated to longshore sediment transport instead of (locally unavailable) rock material allowed for the (Photo 4.3). To reduce the downstream effects of the port creation of a cost-effective solution. As the sand was readily and minimize potential future maintenance of the coastline, a available and could be placed directly along the shoreline “sand engine” was included in this design (Photo 4.2). into the breakwater, the additional natural value was also supported by significant cost savings compared to using rock This was a cost-effective strategy to mitigate a retreat of the material required for a more traditional breakwater. coastline as it was executed in the same campaign as the breakwater construction and included in the overall sediment Furthermore, due to a thorough design exercise based on balance from the conceptualization, which allowed for a clear understanding of the natural system, the volume of optimizations in the final design. sand could be minimized by taking the natural dynamics into account. Photo 4.2: Construction of the downdrift sand engine. © Boskalis Photo 4.3: Reshaping of the Lekki Port Coastline Satellite image showing the resulting reshaping after a wet season and the coastline reaching the equilibrium orientation as expected (blue line). The green line rep- resents the initial coastline and the red line the coastline directly after construction (van der Spek et al. 2020). 46 Mangroves Against Wave Overtopping at Breakwaters and Revetments in Jakarta Fishing Port Wave and Coastal Dynamics Attenuation Photo 4.4: Mangrove breakwater, Indonesia. ASIA: Jakarta Fishing Port © Pacific Consultants International (JFP), Indonesia Since 1970, the old fishing port and market at the former Batavia port in Jakarta struggled with outdated facilities, unable to handle the increasing volume of fishery products. This highlighted the need to upgrade the fishing industry and improve the livelihoods of Indonesians through fishing and related activities. In response to a request from the Indonesian government, a Japanese Overseas Development Agency loan financed the feasibility study and construction of a new Jakarta Fishing Port (JFP) in the 1980s. JFP was further enhanced in the 1990s and early 2000s while additional rehabilitation works took place between 2008 and 2012. The rehabilitation phase included NBS for infrastructure maintenance and sea level rise. Locally appropriate material of bamboo piles and mat foundations were used for revetment and breakwater reinforcement. A seawater purification system utilizing tidal range fluctuation (Orishimo Method, 2004) was implemented, reducing electric or fuel energy consumption. Additionally, mangrove forests were integrated into the revetment and breakwater, with the objective to dampen wave overtopping and its effects on the quay walls as well as topsoil erosion and water quality improvements. Literature suggests these effects were achieved for several years, though these claims were not explicitly substantiated in literature. It also suggests that a lack of considerations of subsidence and sea level rise risks limits these effects by now (OC Global; Oka et al. 2003; JSCE n.d.). Lessons Learned Although NBS often require more space, the technical requirements for natural materials in NBS are generally less restrictive than for traditional solutions like rock breakwaters. Therefore for locations prone to subsidence and sea level rise, NBS can be more suitable both technically and financially. Table 4.2: Mangroves Against Wave Overtopping at Breakwaters and Revetments in JFP Project Details Indicator Specification Description Location Jakarta Bay, Indonesia n.a. Project timeline 2004–2012 n.a. Mangrove enhanced wave damp- Type of NBS Rehabilitation and improvement phase of the JFP. ening and water purification Natural stone, earth and coral sand filling relatively calm Ecosystems Mangrove forests wave climate high sediment flux from the many rivers, existing mangrove forests. Scale Medium Breakwater length (1,040 m), revetment length (3,040 m). Partial funding: Government of Japan (OEFC, now JICA) Financing and financial Partners and/or Loan administrator: Government of Indonesia Directorate administration, design, and financial mechanisms General of Fisheries, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries realization Tender execution: Pacific Consultants International (PCI) Estimates for mangrove rehabilitation in Indonesia more Project-specific OPEX and Capital expenditures generally suggest cost between $1,640–$3,900 per hectare. CAPEX are not available (World Bank 2023) 47 - Chapter 4 - Addressing Port Challenges Benefiting Society The JFP has faced significant challenges due to land subsidence and higher than In addition to functional uses of mangroves predicted sea level rise, leading to the submersion of key facilities and less calm in the port infrastructure, the unique port basin characteristics that impaired port operations. To address these issues, mangrove revetment on the west coast the rehabilitation project included supplementing the breakwater with functional and the mangroves included in the water mangrove forests for attenuation of overtopping waves (JSCE, n.d.). purification channel and reservoir (made of natural stones) created new habitats for The breakwater was improved not by raising it, but by driving sheet piles on algae, fish, crabs, and mollusks. the inside and filling it with earth and sand and later densely covering it with mangroves as a buffer zone. Effectively, this widened the breakwater and In turn, the space is now being used as a avoided costs for elevating it as some wave overtopping could now be allowed fishing spot and the abundant greenery (JSCE, n.d.; Mitsubishi UFJ. 2014). Continuing subsidence and sea level rise invites recreational users to stroll and enjoy may threaten this functioning again, which underpins the fact that these issues sports and beach access (JSCE, n.d.; Oka need to be given sufficient attention when planning the use of landfill mangrove et al. 2003; Haraguchi 2024). protection structures (Takagi, 2018). Mangrove trees were also planted on the west side revetment to improve the landscape and promote conservation of the natural environment. In the water purification scheme, mangroves were planted in the reservoir to facilitate seawater purification by zooplankton and phytoplankton mechanism. Enablers of This Case Technology and System Knowledge Business Case The project leveraged a deep understanding of Jakarta Bay’s Given financial limitations, the construction of the JFP was ecosystem, which includes natural mangroves. Traditional planned to consider cost savings where possible. In the initial gravity structures were unsuitable due to the seafloor’s soft phase, construction costs were lowered by utilizing local clay layer at the breakwater construction site. This led to the materials like bamboo sticks and mats. use of bamboo piles and mats as foundations for the rubble breakwater and seawall. Cost could subsequently be reduced by taking advantage of the mangroves’ ability to dissipate waves, thus integrating As subsidence and rising sea levels required height them functionally in the revetments and breakwater. A adjustments of the breakwater, an alternative solution combination of concrete parapet and mangrove reduced was found in creating a wide mangrove forest instead. construction expenses as it avoided costs for adding height This mangrove buffer zone allows wave overtopping, with to these structures to stop overtopping entirely. Instead, the mangroves dissipating wave energy before it reaches existing height could be kept as the establishment of the the harbor. Knowledge of local mangrove ecology guided mangrove buffer zone was less costly and could sufficiently sediment placement at mean tide levels to foster ideal reduce impact of overtopping waves (JSCE, n.d.). conditions for mangrove growth (Photo 4.5 and Photo 4.6). Photo 4.5: The mangroves in 2011. © Mitsubishi UFJ Photo 4.6: The mangroves in 2014. © Mitsubishi UFJ Photo 4.7: Mangrove breakwater, Jakarta, Indonesia © OC Global 48 Horseshoe Bend Island in the Lower Atchafalaya River Beneficial Reuse of Sediments AMERICAS: Horseshoe Bend, Louisiana, USA Photo 4.8: Horseshoe Bend Island, United States. © USACE In the 1990s, shoal material dredged from Horseshoe Bend was disposed at eight wetland sites adjacent to the Atchafalaya River channel, which led to nearly filling the wetlands by 1999. To address future disposal needs, mounding material at midriver open- water sites near the navigation channel was tested and effects downstream were studied. The goal was to boost the mud flat and delta formation by improving sediment supply without hindering navigational conditions and shipping operations. From 2002 onwards, sediment was strategically placed in a midriver open-water area, forming a 35 ha island by depositing 0.4 to 1.4 million cubic meters every 1 to 3 years. The creation of Horseshoe Bend Island led to multiple benefits, including enhanced ecosystem sustainability carbon sequestration, nutrient sequestration, improved navigation support and reduced maintenance costs through a reduction in dredging volumes and scheduling of regular dredging operations. Lessons Learned 1. The available material from necessary dredging works 3. Mapping and quantifying NBS benefits clarify their value for opens up opportunities for NBS. decision-makers. 2. NBS can save costs over traditional measures during a project’s lifespan. Project details Indicator Specification Description Lower Atchafalaya River, Location n.a. Louisiana, United States Project timeline 2002–2014 n.a. Restoration, rehabilitation, and Dredged sediments were used to create additional habi- Type of NBS creation of habitats tats, which improved navigability of the river. Wetlands, river banks, riverine Ecosystems Mainly build from dredged sandy clays. habitats Island area 35 hectares, 0.4 to 1.4 million cubic meters of Scale Medium to large sediment every 1 to 3 years Partners and/or Design and realization US Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District financial mechanisms Dredging campaigns cost US$30m annually. The dredged Dumping location of dredging sediment then becomes available for beneficial use. This Capital expenditures campaigns would not increase the project costs significantly as the material has to be disposed anyway. Savings in navigation support Savings in navigation support and maintenance in the Operational expenditures and maintenance order of US$4.3m per annum. 49 - Chapter 4 - Addressing Port Challenges Benefiting Society The main challenge for the US Army Corps of Engineers New Horseshoe Bend Island, offering around 6.0 ha of emergent Orleans District was addressing sediment disposal of the habitat and 7.7 ha of aquatic bed habitat, now hosts 81 plant dredged material to maintain the navigational channel that species, 23 animal species (including 9 wading bird species), provides access to inland ports. Three disposal options were and diverse invertebrate and microbial communities, evaluated: converting wetland sites into upland areas, using promoting nutrient sequestration in the soils. This a long-distance pipeline to Atchafalaya Bay, and mounding enhancement of biodiversity is a significant environmental material near a forming island. benefit. The creation of an island was chosen for its cost-efficiency, Furthermore, the island is estimated to sequester 5,220 kg of requiring less equipment and fewer land-rights for transport carbon annually, reducing nitrogen discharge to the northern to the bay, as it allowed natural processes to aid in island Gulf of Mexico, and potentially mitigating the yearly hypoxic formation. Initially, the project aimed to reduce dredging costs zone. The island’s creation has also stimulated research and support island growth. projects valued between US$125,000 and US$266,000 over four years, averaging US$213,000 annually. Over time, however, it also provided additional benefits, including improved navigation, climate change mitigation, and enhanced environmental outcomes, making it a more cost- effective and sustainable solution than originally anticipated. Enablers of This Case Management, Monitoring and Maintenance Business Case A designated project team conducted in-depth studies on The selected solution proved more cost-effective than two ecosystem classification, floral and faunal composition, other options due to reduced equipment and land rights and habitat mapping to demonstrate the benefits of using requirements for transporting the dredged material. The dredged sediment. For this, a multi-factor assessment was establishment of Horseshoe Bend Island also brought set up to provide quantitative documentation on landscape significant improvement to navigational conditions and geomorphology, ecosystem classification, floral communities, maintenance costs, including a reduction in necessary avian communities, aquatic invertebrates, soils and frequency of maintenance dredging. biochemical activity and hydrodynamic and sediment modeling. The previous annual dredging volume (841.010 m3) was reduced to maintenance dredging required every three years The results showed that the factors at Horseshoe Bend (573.410 m3). The solution saves approximately US$4.3 Island were comparable to or exceeded those on both a million annually in navigation support and maintenance needs. natural riverine island and a traditional dredged-material island. Additionally, significant improvements were found in The island’s creation also led to a more efficient river channel climate resilience, navigational conditions, and maintenance to the east of the island, which was designated as the new costs. By quantifying these benefits, the project provided federal navigation channel in 2015, after the construction of insights that can inform similar dredging practices in future the island. In addition, the new federal navigation channel environmental and restoration projects. is 1.13 km shorter, cutting fuel consumption by over 68,000 liters, and significantly lowering carbon emissions. Figure 4.1: Landsat Imagery Displaying Island Location of Dredged Material Placement and Subsequent Formation, Establishment, and Growth from Strategic Dredged Material Placement (Suedel et al. 2015) 2010 2011 2012 50 Improving Habitat Conditions on Quay Walls in Spain Enhanced Hard Structures EUROPE: Port of Vigo, Spain Photo 4.9: Tourists at the Nautilus underwater observatory at the Port of Vigo, Spain. © Econcrete The Living Ports Project at the Port of Vigo demonstrates best practices for the construction of ports where infrastructures can be enhanced and designed to create habitats and promote marine biodiversity through eco-engineering solutions as alternatives to traditional concrete. The project was executed by a consortium led by ECOncrete with the Port of Vigo, Cardama Shipyards, and Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The project involved the installation of ECOncrete’s ecologically engineered seawall panels by local contractors at one of the port’s main docking areas. A similar technology, the COASTALOCK single-layer armor protection for riprap revetments, was also installed in the port’s breakwater. Both solutions were deployed to meet coastal protection and stabilization requirements, while simultaneously creating new habitats and promoting biodiversity enhancement in the port. The ecologically engineered seawalls and the COASTALOCK armoring units are applications of ECOncrete’s technology that complies with construction standards for marine infrastructure and is proven to promote marine life settlement and create the conditions for a diverse local ecosystem to thrive on marine infrastructures. The ecological benefits of the structures have been measured and monitored by marine biologists at the DTU. Lessons Learned Partnering with multiple stakeholders and expert organizations as well as involving local communities can be key for the successful implementation of NBS. Additionally, monitoring and celebrating the success of these pilot projects are essential for future projects. Table 4.3: Improving Habitat Conditions on Quay Walls in Spain Project Details Indicator Specification Description Location Port of Vigo, Spain n.a. Project timeline 2021–2024 Installation was in 2021/22, with monitoring afterwards. Ecologically enhanced marine The ecologically engineered quay walls and single-layer Type of NBS structures; for example quay armor units create diverse habitats as an integral part of wall panels port infrastructures. The substrates are applied to Nurseries for marine life; benthic communities, such as Ecosystems create rocky shoreline habitats oysters for local species 310 m2 seawall area and 100 coastal armor units (3.4 metric Scale Medium to large ton each) The project is executed by a consortium of four partners: Port of Vigo, ECOncrete, Technical University of Denmark Partners and/or Design, finance, and (DTU), and Cardama Shipyard financial mechanisms implementation The Living Ports Project received funding from the Europe- an Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. Funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research Capital expenditures Grant funding and innovation program (US$2.7M) 51 - Chapter 4 - Addressing Port Challenges Benefiting Society The Port of Vigo, one of Spain’s foremost ports, renowned for This project has set ambitious goals for community its dedication to sustainability, had been establishing its own engagement by inviting the public to observe and appreciate green port and environmental compensation strategy for years. the ecological enhancement of the waterfront marine The implementation of the Living Ports Project was driven by structures. the port’s commitment to creating green infrastructure that can address structural, ecological, and social challenges An underwater observatory, the Nautilus, has been installed effectively, by transitioning from traditional ”gray” concrete by Cardama Shipyard to offer visitors a unique, firsthand view solutions to eco-engineered, nature-inclusive ones. of biodiversity developing on ecologically enhanced seawalls (Photo 4.9). In its first year, over 30,000 visitors came to Nau- This project goal is to establish a new paradigm for the tilus, immersing themselves in the thriving marine life both on construction of sustainable port infrastructure by demonstrating the installed seawall panels and in the surrounding waters. how it can be enhanced for habitat improvement, biodiversity, and community engagement. This led the port to test novel Serving as a vital community engagement space, this technology. observatory allows the public to directly experience the benefits of nature-inclusive coastal infrastructure, fostering ECOncrete’s technology addresses the chemical composition a deeper appreciation for marine ecosystems and the of the concrete used, as well as its micro and macro surface, importance of integrating nature into future urban and coastal on both micro and macro levels. This promotes the growth planning. of organisms like oysters, corals, or barnacles, which act as biological glue, enhancing the strength and durability of the Preliminary biological monitoring data reveal that the structures and adding to their stability and longevity. ecologically enhanced infrastructures are being integrated into the ecosystem and marine life is thriving (Figure 4.2). Enablers of This Case Technology and System Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Maintenance The eco-engineering solutions in the Port of Vigo are an The DTU conducted ecological and structural surveys and application of ECOncrete’s validated bio-enhancing concrete monitoring to measure and validate the biodiversity results technology, which has been and is still being extensively expected. developed and researched. Multistakeholder Approach ECOncrete’s patented concrete Admix enhances the chemical The project was led and implemented by the Living Ports properties of the substrate for settlement, and nature-inclusive consortium, consisting of the Port of Vigo, Cardama design provides various habitats for biodiversity. Shipyard, the DTU, and ECOncrete. Local precasting and construction companies also worked in close collaboration with the consortium. Figure 4.2: Marine Life in Habitats Created on the Quay Walls of the Vigo Port in Spain (Imagery Provided by ECOncrete) Examples of Other NBS in Ports Projects Solomon Ports – Mangrove Restoration and Livelihood Project Langalanga Lagoon, Solomon Islands, Pacific Islands (2024) Mangroves protect coasts, store carbon, and support biodiversity but face threats from human activities and climate change. Solomon Ports started a project to restore a depleted mangrove forest on one of the remote islands in the Solomons where this ecosystem previously existed. The Solomon Ports Mangrove Restoration and Livelihood Project focuses on revitalizing mangrove ecosystems in Langalanga Lagoon. It aims to restore natural functions and enhance community livelihoods through strategic planting of native mangroves, Photo 4.10: A Solomon Islands Resident Participating in Mangrove community engagement, and long-term monitoring. The local Restoration Efforts, © Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) community participates actively in restoration efforts (Photo 4.10), supported by awareness campaigns and alternative Key Takeaways livelihood initiatives like beekeeping, vegetable gardening, and seaweed farming. This approach ensures both ecological benefits The Solomon Ports Authority recognized its social responsi- and socioeconomic resilience, reducing the dependency on bility and the key role local communities have in the success mangroves for income. The restored mangroves will act as a of the Solomon Island’s ports and maritime sector. There- natural barrier against coastal erosion, provide a vital habitat for fore, the health and welfare of local communities is also the marine life, and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable concern of the port authority. This project demonstrated that future for the islands. a multi-stakeholder approach and capacity strengthening can be a powerful tool for ecosystem restoration. Port of Antwerp-Bruges – Species Protection Program Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Belgium, Europe (2022) The Scheldt Estuary covers 92,000 ha of protected nature, featuring a transition from fresh to saltwater and vital habitats for diverse species (Photo 4.11). The Port of Antwerp-Bruges’s 580 ha of protected nature hosts over 90 unique species. The port, in collaboration with Natuurpunt, developed the Species Protection Program, ensuring sustainable populations while allowing for the balanced development of the industry within the port. This multi-year program consists of a range of measures to protect endangered or unique plant and animal species. Measures include enabling and monitoring target Photo 4.11: A Section of the Scheldt Estuary species and creating green corridors connecting natural areas. © Port of Antwerp-Bruges Through strategic partnerships, transparent communication, Key Takeaways and forward-looking policies, the port management aims to set an example of responsible stewardship, striving to ensure that Although no new NBS were implemented in this project, it the port remains a thriving economic hub while safeguarding its shows that the conservation of nature and its resources can natural heritage for future generations. also be considered an NBS if its existence and ecosystem services are deemed a vital element of the port’s success and productivity. For the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, a thriving, economically efficient port can only be ensured through responsible stewardship and sustainable growth, resulting in projects like this. This underlines the importance of the license to operate for ports. 53 - Chapter 4 - Port of Harlingen – Mud Motor Pilot, Strategic Reuse of Sediments Harlingen, Netherlands, Europe (2016) Approximately 1.3 million m³ of fine sediment is dredged annually from the harbor basins in the Port of Harlingen to maintain navigability. The dredged sediment is deposited in a designated disposal area in the Wadden Sea near the harbor. In current operations an unknown but possibly large proportion of the dredged sediment flows back into the port. However, a new approach was suggested: the dredged material from the harbor was disposed in front of a salt marsh to facilitate further salt marsh growth (Photo 4.12). This “mud motor” Photo 4.12: The Mud Motor at a Salt Marsh near the Port of reduces the need for future dredging because the sediment is Harlingen © Terra et Aqua trapped in the marshes and is no longer transported back to Key Takeaways the port. The increase in tidal marsh elevation is beneficial for coastal protection and ecology as it prevents the drowning of This project highlights the importance of the active marshes due to sea-level rise. involvement of multiple stakeholders to bring a new NBS concept to fruition. Pilots like these enhance our knowledge A joint pilot was started with the involved municipalities, the and understanding of similar systems and new technologies. Dutch government, NGO’s, and research and engineering firms. The mud motor is an example of an NBS, that can now be After an extensive monitoring campaign, the first results from applied in harbors worldwide, creating a synergy between the project look promising for further implementation. harbor maintenance and nature development. TIPSP San Pedro – Biohut Enhancing Piled Quays Autonomous Port of San Pedro, Côte D’Ivoire, Africa (2022) Nurseries are an essential node, in the natural life cycle of many marine species. Many ports these days occupy the sheltered estuaries and bays where these nurseries used to be. The Biohut project in the Industrial Terminal of the Port of San Pedro (TIPSP) creates fish nurseries using recyclable steel modules filled with local oyster shells. Developed by Ecocean, these habitats restore the nursery function of port areas. TIPSP is looking to compensate for the environmental impact of shipping operations and is committed to restoring threatened maritime biodiversity. Photo 4.13: A Biohut in the Water at the Port of San Pedro. The Biohut structures are placed into the water, surrounding the © TIPSP piles of a deck on piles type quay wall (Photo 4.13). This Biohut project is expected to have a positive impact on biodiversity as it Key Takeaways will repopulate the seabed with different marine species and, in addition, can be a good tool to collect scientific data on coastal This project demonstrates that ports can contribute to marine life and ecosystems. As evidenced in San colonization by juveniles but also to raise public awareness on Pedro, existing marine infrastructure can be adapted biodiversity. Consequently, an educational campaign was also to positively impact the environment. Furthermore, this initiated as part of this project. project underscores the importance of and opportunities for capacity strengthening of local communities within the implementation of NBS in ports. Projects like this can also help expand the technology and system-based knowledge. 54 Select Bibliography for the Case Studies Sandbar Outer Breakwater at the Port of Lekki, USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). “Horseshoe Bend Island, Nigeria Louisiana.” USACE, New Orleans. Link Lawson, Stefan K., Keiko Udo, Hitoshi Tanaka, and Janaka Ba- munawala. 2023. “Littoral Drift Impoundment at a Sandbar Enabling life on Quay Walls in Spain Breakwater: Two Case Studies along the Bight of Benin Coast Information provided by ECOcrete. Link (Gulf of Guinea, West Africa).” Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 11, (9): 1651. Link Moltesen, Maria, Tim Wilms, Julius Valhav, Simon Madsen, Nejc No- vak, Apsara Liyanwala, Jeannet L. Bertelsen, Wolfgang Kunther, van der Spek, Bart-Jan, Eelco Biji, Bas van de Sande, Sanne Poort- Jon C. Svendsen, 2024. “Concrete biodiversity improvements man, Dirk Heijboer, and Bram Bliek. 2020. “Sandbar Breakwater: in harbors.” Habitat, 28, 34-47. Link An Innovative Nature-Based Port Solution.” Water 12 (5): 1446. Link Mangroves Against Wave Overtopping at Break- Solomon Ports – Mangrove Restoration and Liveli- waters and Revetments in Jakarta Fishing Port hood project (JFP) Solomon ports website Link Haraguchi, Takako, and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia. 2024. “Jakarta Fishing Port / Market Development Port of Antwerp-Bruges – Species Protection Program Project (IV).” Site survey, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Port of Antwer-Bruges website Link Jakarta. Link IAPH-WPSP, Species Protection Program Link JSCE (Japan Society of Civil Engineers). n.d. “Jakarta Fishing Port Project.” JSCE International Infrastructure Archives. Link Port of Harlingen - Mud Motor Pilot, Reuse Sediments EcoShape. n.d., “Re-use of Dredged Sediments - Mud motor.” Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Company. 2014. “Jakarta Case study. Link Fishing Port Rehabilitation Project.” Link Royal HaskoningDHV, NBS project examples. Link van Eekelen, Erik M.M., and Martin Baptist. 2019. “The Mud Motor: OC Global. “Modernizing Jakarta’s Fishing Port.” Projects. Link A Beneficial Use of Dredged Sediment to Enhance Salt Marsh Development.” Terra et Aqua 155: 28–42. Link Oka, Sadayuki, Sadao Orishimo, and Akira Nagano. 2003. “Natural Symbiosis Type Fishing Port Rehabilitation Using the Man- grove (Example of the Jakarta Fishing Port).” Japan Interna- TIPSP San Pedro – Biohut Enhancing Piled Quays tional Cooperation Agency, Tokyo. Link IAPH-WPSP, Biohut project Link Takagi, Hiroshi. 2018. “Long-Term Design of Mangrove Landfills as an Effective Tide Attenuator under Relative Sea-Level Rise.” Sustainability 10: 1045. Link Other Databases with Examples on NBS World Bank. 2023. “Planting Mangrove Forests Is Paying Off in Indonesia.” Feature story, December 1, 2023. Link • EcoShape pilot projects database: Link Horseshoe Bend Island in the Lower Atchafalaya • World Bank NBS portfolio: Link • IAPH sustainable world ports, project database: Link River • ESPO green practices for ports database: Link Berkowitz, Jacob F., Lindsey Green, Christine M. VanZomeren, and John R. White. 2016. “Evaluating Soil Properties and Potential Nitrate Removal in Wetlands Created Using an Engineering with Nature Based Dredged Material Placement Technique.” Ecological Engineering 97: 381–388. Link CEDA (Central Dredging Association). 2002. “Creating Islands.” Case Study, CEDA, Delft. Link Corbino, Jeffrey M. 2017. “Horseshoe Bend Island.” U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans. Link EWN (Engineering with Nature). 2021. “Horseshoe Bend Island.” EWN Built Projects, May 6, 2021. Link Suedel, Burton, Jacob Berkowitz, Sung-Chan Kim, Nathan Beane, Elizabeth Summers, Darrell Evans, and Jeffrey Corbino. 2015. “Creating Horseshoe Bend Island, Atchafalaya River, Louisi- ana.” Terre et Aqua 140: 26–31. Link 55 - Chapter 4 - 56 5 ENABLERS FOR NBS IN PORTS - Chapter 5 - Introduction The dynamic, multifunctional, innovative, and context-specific character of NBS requires an integrated approach, incorporating a broad spectrum of technical, environmental, and financial-economic considerations, which involves multiple stakeholders. The NBS presented are engineering approaches, but they work with rather than against physical and ecological processes. The NBS approach represents a paradigm shift compared to traditional engineering, placing natural processes and systems understanding at the center. Six “enablers” are instrumental in addressing the unique characteristics of implementing NBS (EcoShape “enablers”; IUCN 2020; Albert et al. 2021). These enablers are based on the experiences of over a decade of learning-by-doing, intersectoral collaboration, and multidisciplinary fundamental and applied research. They help identify the key considerations at the start of any project and make the development process practicable. The specific context will determine the importance of each enabler in the project or initiative, although all projects can benefit from considering all enablers. The theories behind these enablers will be discussed in this chapter. Chapter 3 elaborates more on the different enablers, specifically for the different NBS families. Enabler 1: Technology and System Knowledge Enabler 4: Institutional Embedding The design of NBS requires knowledge about specific concepts NBS should fit into the local institutional contexts, norms, and and technology. It is essential to take a “larger” physical, regulations. Policies and processes can be developed to support ecological, and social system perspective. Key aspects to the cocreation, partnerships, and funding schemes necessary to consider are: enable implementation of NBS. Key aspects to consider are: • The key functioning and interrelations of the physical, • Fitting NBS in the existing context, norms, and regulations. ecological and societal system; This includes norms and regulations for coastal management • The functioning of the NBS technology itself; and and governance; • How the NBS functions in and interacts with the specifics • Creating an enabling policy environment in which conservation of the system and landscape. laws and formal instruments are addressed; • Land tenure, concession management, and permitting; and Enabler 2: Management, Monitoring, and Maintenance • Connecting with international enabling developments, NBS designs are dynamic. They develop under changing including the Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework, Aichi (climatic) conditions. This requires an adaptive approach for Biodiversity Targets, Convention on Biological Diversity managing, maintaining, and monitoring their performance. Key (CBD), Ramsar and United Nations Convention to Combat aspects to consider are: Desertification resolutions, and SDGs. • Balancing initial efforts or investments (overdimensioning) against adaptivity and resilience; Enabler 5: Multistakeholder Approach • Making maintenance strategies an integral part of the NBS can rarely be implemented by a single party. Successful development process; and projects require stakeholder engagement from the start, and • Organization and techniques for adaptive management throughout the codesign, implementation, operation, and and monitoring to deal with natural dynamics in various maintenance phases. Key aspects to consider are: time and spatial scales. • Cooperation between stakeholders through an integral and multifunctional approach can help with local buy-in Enabler 3: Business Case and support of multibenefit solutions; A sound business case is important for financing NBS. NBS • Coalition forming, cocreation, and public participation to help to avoid extra costs and have important additional create shared ambitions; and cobenefits for society compared to other alternatives. • Stakeholder assessment and engagement. However, it can be a challenge to quantify such benefits. Nature is not always predictable, so it might be uncertain how Enabler 6: Capacity Strengthening much cost will be avoided. Cobenefits are often public values Capacity building among policy makers, industry managers rather than private goods. Key aspects to consider are: and the local community is key, and takes place through • Defining a business model by combining financial education, training, and knowledge sharing. People who are knowledge with engineering and nature conservation familiar with the NBS philosophy are more likely to support it expertise; and take part. This will help scaling-up and is critical for proper • Providing better estimates of maintenance costs, maintenance of NBS. Key aspects to consider are: services, and benefits, such as fish production and carbon • Increasing awareness of the philosophy, possibilities, and sequestration; and benefits of NBS; • Creating a financial arrangement with bankable value • Involving upcoming generations in NBS by training and creation streams that reflect the identified costs and educational programs; and benefits. • Creating NBS communities around your project. The six enablers are not isolated components, but rather, form an interlinked approach, with overlap between them. For example, system knowledge considers both the natural and the social systems. This systems approach is covered in technology and system knowledge, but the social systems are particularly visible in multistakeholder approach and institutional embedding. Knowledge from these enablers also translates into the dynamics and uncertainties that have to be anticipated, leading into adaptive management, maintenance, and monitoring, which, in turn, influences the business case. Within all these aspects, the under- standing and trust in NBS is essential, hence capacity strengthening is required in all these fields. Thus, the enablers are strongly interlinked and should be approached collectively. Progress in one enabler cannot been seen separate from progress in the others. 58 Enabler 1: Technology and System Knowledge Successfully implementing NBS requires a comprehensive Further, alterations to the natural characteristics of the understanding of the local physical, ecological, and societal environment from port activities (for example, dredging, systems; the NBS technology; and the interplay between construction of infrastructure, or increased operations) them. Technology and system knowledge is not only required need to be considered. Change can lead to unexpected or for experts to support the integration of NBS into projects, but unplanned issues, such as unnaturally high sedimentation for all stakeholders involved, to a certain extent. The system- rates or disturbance of fish migration, which may later require based approach to NBS implementation is explained in this significant effort to resolve. Climate change introduces section. additional pressures on ports that must be addressed in future planning, alongside the inherent uncertainties within the sector System Understanding in Port Development Projects that complicate long term strategies. A system-based approach NBS adds value to the physical, ecological and societal system can help to get more insight into these uncertainties. by using natural processes and dynamics, delivering multiple functions and benefits, and providing innovative solutions that Focusing on local physical, ecological, and societal systems are context specific. An example of this, is the clay ripening is particularly important for new greenfield port developments, pilot in the Eems-Dollard Estuary in the Netherlands. Here, where a functioning habitat already exists. In these cases, sediment was extracted from the estuary to reduce dredging it is far more beneficial to design and preserve ecosystems maintenance of a nearby port, as well as improve the and their services, which benefit both the port and the wider water quality and subsequently, the biodiversity of the area economy, rather than mitigating the damage caused by port (EcoShape clay ripening pilot case study). development at a later stage. To achieve and improve upon this bond between NBS and It is also crucial to consider the scale of interventions, including the systems they operate in, it is essential to approach the their spatial extent and the duration of their impacts. By implementation from a “larger” physical, ecological, and social examining the interactions between the different ecosystem system perspective, while also considering the impacts of components within the system, the scale, impact, and NBS and other infrastructure on the total system. Interactions boundaries of a project can be better defined. The way the between port activities and the natural environment are not systems interact and how an NBS functions within them are limited to the operational port area alone but are felt throughout key factors in developing system-inclusive solutions. This the whole natural system. For example, the deepening of mapping and quantification of ecosystem services should port access channels can affect tidal regimes and sediment therefore be an continuous exercise for port developers. transport in an estuary and can subsequently have significant effects on vessel navigation from and to the port. A System-Based Approach for All Interdependencies The socio-economic, legal, and institutional realities are also Since many ports are located in settings that are inherently part of this system-based conceptualization of the port and beneficial to port business due to good hinterland connections will impact the design of NBS. The NBS design context should or natural sheltering from the sea, it follows that taking the include multi-functionality to add value to the systems while natural environment as the foundation for more sustainable contributing to buy-in from local stakeholders in the short and port development is a sensible approach. This requires an long terms. Pilot projects, the development of guidelines, intimate knowledge of the contextually specific physical sustained stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building processes, including hydro- and morphodynamical patterns, initiatives have proven essential in driving nature-positive soil characteristics, and ecosystems. change, supporting the successful implementation of system- based approaches to NBS. Photo 5.1: Wave Action over Coral Reefs. 59 - Chapter 5 - Enabler 2: Management, Monitoring, and Maintenance NBS are inherently dynamic and can adapt over time, which may Moreover, monitoring should include structural integrity aspects provide more robust and flexible alternatives to uncertainties of the NBS design to indicate any signs of failure. Such structural and future changing conditions compared to traditional gray assessments are similar to asset management exercises that alternatives. However, the implementation of NBS is also often ports currently do for traditional, gray infrastructure. Lastly, hampered by a greater perceived uncertainty regarding their ecological objectives such as biodiversity targets or settlement performance and implementation. The key to addressing this increases should be monitored to ensure a comprehensive uncertainty is adaptivity and a growing experience base. understanding of the impact of the chosen NBS. Identifying and Monitoring Dynamic NBS Adaptive Management Traditional gray infrastructure has a well-defined, usually cost-ef- NBS implementation can pose natural, technical, or social fective yet inflexible performance prediction regarding its design uncertainties. Managing deep uncertainty requires the function and design life. It rarely considers the uncertain effects consideration of a range of realistic scenarios of NBS operation of the intervention on the natural system’s performance, which and management and the determination of adaptive pathways. is often permanently altered. NBS, though, can adjust to their Adaptive pathways anticipate changing environments based environmental surroundings—for example, to changes in water on continuously monitoring risks and performance, identifying quality and sea level, within critical tolerances. Their dynamic adaptation tipping points, and developing flexible and robust nature and capacity for adaptation may offer different or addi- strategies for response. To develop such pathways consideration tional performances that need to be reflected in related criteria. of the long-term functioning of natural and social systems as well as technoeconomic realities is needed. Flexible solutions Adaptive monitoring and management systems do so by and pathways can adapt to emerging conditions, while robust observing effects of NBS, measuring their dynamics, and ones perform well across various plausible futures. anticipating response strategies that account for physical, social ,and technical system uncertainties, thus facilitating optimal Multifunctional uses of NBS—for example, for flood protection infrastructure performance. Monitoring change and noting the as well as nature restoration and recreational use—will capacity of the system to respond increases learning, and need to anticipate changes in user numbers. If predictions custodians may intervene for system maintenance, if required. of recreational users exceed those initially anticipated, the natural system may no longer be able to deliver all desired Mangrove habitats, for example, can contribute to flood ecosystem functions. Management strategies need to adapt to risk reduction, yet location-specific mangrove restoration these changing realities; for example, by introducing limits to approaches may be less well known or documented. Only recreational user numbers (EcoShape Marker Wadden case through continuous long-term, and site specific monitoring can study). the effectiveness of mangrove restoration in a given site be determined and location-specific knowledge developed that Maintenance will inform adequate response planning to given uncertainties NBS, especially once they are mature, may require less (EcoShape mangrove case study). maintenance over time. Design approaches should consider maintenance aspects from the planning stage as they balance For adequate monitoring protocols, the baseline ecosystem costs or risks in the mid- to long term. Overdimensioning of services functioning, NBS design objectives, and targets dune NBS can, for example, account for uncertainty relating toward performance indicators should be defined and ideally to sea-level rise. Diversification of NBS assets may lower the quantified in the design stages. Subsequently, these indicators risk of malfunctioning or even failure. To reduce the risk of should assess the functionality of the NBS design toward set vegetation decline due to diseases, for example, an NBS design objectives throughout its lifetime. For example, in ports, these can diversify vegetation species used. Similarly, introducing performance standards could be related to research questions modularity to NBS design may reduce dependencies on such as: has the NBS achieved the desired wave attenuation, integrated natural components, thus providing for more design accreted sufficient sediment, or maintained public approval? flexibility (see “Adaptive Management, Maintenance and Monitoring” on EcoShape). Photo 5.2: Monitoring of a Coastal Wetland to Understand Inundation Period and Impact on Ecosystem Services. 60 Enabler 3: Business Case This section is a brief overview of the business case for NBS in Economic impacts, if not part of a business case, are ports. More information on the business case and financing for considered externalities, indirectly affecting the parties NBS in ports can be found in Chapter 7. involved in the business case or impacting third parties. Some economic benefits can be directly expressed in monetary NBS often provide more comprehensive and system-wide terms via market prices (for example, the provisioning of food), benefits compared to traditional solutions. They can be while other benefits may require different valuation principles. perceived as complex and costly, but with the right business case and assessment, they can be economically and financially Economic benefits can be expected if financial and institutional successful. arrangements bring together multiple stakeholder interests and functions in the port area. Financial assessments focus on market prices, costs such as CAPEX and OPEX, and revenues, for port developers Not all benefits directly profit the port itself but redound to and operators for example. Economic assessments include the wider environment and society. However, these “societal societal impacts, evaluating the broader costs and benefits, benefits” can still improve the business case for NBS by and making NBS potentially more cost-effective while exposing attracting potential investors, stakeholders, governments, and external risks in traditional infrastructure. local communities. For NBS in ports, the following types of societal benefits may be expected: • Enhancement of biodiversity: This is mainly a public Financial Costs and Benefits benefit, although in the long run, this may also provide private benefits (revenues) for sectors such as fisheries. Financial costs and benefits are part of the business case of • Coastal erosion risk reduction: This is also a mixed ports in assessing projected (re)investments, where NBS can benefit, as coastal erosion may impact both public and be considered. private assets in the coastal area. • Flood risk reduction: This is another mixed benefit, both Financial Costs private and public. Private benefits relate to facilitating port • NBS CAPEX: Depends on the type and scope of NBS, accessibility (reducing downtime) and improving overall • NBS OPEX: Depends on the type and scope of NBS and port efficiency and profitability. Public benefits concern the is generally related to CAPEX. impact of flood risk reduction on settlements and public infrastructure in the wider port area. In the business case, the financial costs of NBS may be • Facilitating aquaculture: This is a private benefit, compared with traditional (hard) types of solutions, such as: positively impacting the fishery sector. • Breakwaters and revetments; • Raw materials: This is also a private benefit, mainly • Capital dredging related to the re-use and valorization of dredged materials. • Quay and jetty structures • Tourism and recreation: This is mixed benefit, related to, Financial Benefits for example, enhancement of biodiversity and creation or Direct financial benefits of NBS related to port operations may improvement of beach facilities. materialize through changes in operating costs. Depending on • Water quality: This is a public benefit. Many countries have the scope of the business case, financial benefits may also strict water quality standards to prevent environmental result from giving value to otherwise waste materials and ac- pollutions and protect freshwater resources. tivities, such as dredged sediments, and their costly disposal. • Carbon sequestration: This is mainly a public benefit although carbon sequestration can also help with zthe net zero targets of the port and its stakeholders. Economic Costs and Benefits Economic Costs The economic costs relate to the CAPEX and OPEX of NBS and are derived from the financial costs by applying a different, social discount rate instead of the commercial one used in the business case. Economic Benefits Economic benefits of NBS are usually based on concepts of ecosystem services and natural capital, aimed at regulating climate and disaster risks. Two types of benefits can be distinguished (van Zanten et al. W): • Risk reduction benefits: Including flood, erosion, heat, drought, water supply and regulation, and landslide risk. • Other societal benefits: These vary depending on the specific NBS intervention and may include the provisioning of food, raw materials, and drinking water, as well as the enhancement of biodiversity, tourism and recreation, and global climate regulation (including carbon sequestration). Photo 5.3: Green Financing. 61 - Chapter 5 - Enabler 4: Institutional Embedding NBS: Navigating the Institutional Context Enhancing Innovative Procurement and Contracting NBS emphasize dynamic, multi-functional approaches to Innovative procurement and contracting are crucial for infrastructure development, challenging traditional static and implementing NBS projects due to their multifunctional nature, monofunctional practices. However, existing institutional multi-stakeholder involvement, and dynamic requirements. structures, shaped by past experiences, may hinder the Therefore, it is important to engage governments early on to integration of NBS principles due to their focus on separate advocate for innovative procurement procedures that promote management of environmental and infrastructure issues. NBS principles, as some regulations/requirements might Aligning NBS with the institutional context in ports requires hinder NBS implementation. Embracing, multistakeholder understanding and engaging with regulatory frameworks early arrangements and performance-driven contracts, for example, in the design and implementation process of NBS projects. For allows NBS developers to navigate the complexities of example: infrastructure projects while promoting long-term environmental stewardship and community engagement. • International policy environment: Explore global frameworks and agreements relevant to NBS and port Relevant topics to discuss with governments and contracting development to establish common ground for negotiation authorities are: and implementation. • Selection criteria: Defining decision-making criteria • Regulatory frameworks at a national level: Decode throughout the whole process that move beyond financial the structure of national regulatory systems to facilitate parameters as proxy for decision-making, such as public compliance and optimize biodiversity regulations in ports. usefulness, sustainability, and risk management. • Innovative contracting strategies: Tailor contracts for • Functional requirements: Shifting from technical NBS projects based on unique partnerships and project specifications to functional requirements based on system requirements, emphasizing flexibility and adaptability. engineering, and anticipating long-term developments in the wider port area rather than, for example, defining Proactively engaging with regulatory challenges allows port the chemical characteristics (a minimum of 5 percent authorities and stakeholders to unlock the full potential of NBS, organic matter) for material used to reinforce dikes. The fostering sustainable infrastructure solutions that harmonize functionality of the dike could be described to create with the environment. opportunities to include beneficial use of dredged material. • Performance monitoring: Clearly delineating Leveraging International Regulations for NBS responsibilities, performance indicators, risk allocation, International conventions and agreements offer a foundation and maintenance considerations throughout the project for shared understanding among nations, shaping the life cycle. Rather than, for example, static monitoring regulatory environment for sustainable development initiatives and risk parameters, allow for objectives focused on the like NBS. Port authorities can access funding opportunities and performance of the NBS asset to align with emerging support from global institutions by aligning NBS projects with needs. key international frameworks. Understanding the relevance of • Life cycle costs: Incorporating life cycle costs into the specific regulations can enhance the success of NBS projects contract, extending responsibilities to the maintenance in the early stages. phase for sustainable NBS. NBS tend to be more operation and maintenance intensive than gray infrastructure assets. Key international agreements supporting NBS include: Including these aspects in budgeting and responsibility • Sustainable Development Goals: Addresses poverty, distribution in the form of life cycle costs centers the NBS water management, urban resilience, climate change, asset’s performance. biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration. • Paris Agreement on Climate Change: Aims to limit Transitioning to multi-stakeholder contract arrangements include: global temperature rise and enhance climate resilience • Evolution of contracts: Moving from traditional design, through NBS. bid, and build models to more collaborative approaches • Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: like performance-based contracting, PPPs, or alliance Emphasizes ecosystem management for disaster risk contracts to accommodate the evolving needs of NBS. reduction, highlighting the importance of NBS in enhancing • Benefits of collaboration: Engage a diverse range of resilience. stakeholders, including engineers, port developers, con- • Convention on Biological Diversity and Aichi Targets: tractors, governments, shipping lines, and NGOs to share Promotes biodiversity conservation and sustainable risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle. ecosystem management, principles integral to NBS approaches. An example of an innovative form of procurement contracting • Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: Supports the is the Channel Deepening Project in Melbourne, Australia. sustainable use of wetlands, which are key environments Rather than shouldering the responsibilities and risks alone, for NBS projects. the Port of Melbourne developed an alliance contract with the contractor. The advantage of alliancing is that parties are By strategically leveraging international regulations and incentivized to cooperatively work to find the best solution for demonstrating the value of NBS in promoting sustainable all partners included in the contract within the time and budget development, stakeholders can enhance the implementation forecasted. This contracting form builds on trust transcending of NBS on a global scale while advocating for a harmonious individual interests, as all partners bear risks equitably. balance between infrastructure development and Projects with high risks could benefit from this approach. (Also environmental conservation on a local scale. see EcoShape, Institutional embedding experience, n.d.). 62 Enabler 5: Multistakeholder Approach Fostering Success Through Multistakeholder Engagement (Also see EcoShape, Guidance: stakeholder analysis, n.d.). in NBS • Assessing feasibility: Evaluate the suitability and feasibility As port communities are generally very large, with diverse of stakeholder engagement processes before initiation to stakeholder groups of different magnitudes (ranging from ensure alignment with project objectives. multinational terminal operators and shipping lines to local • Planning engagement processes: Plan stakeholder fishermen), stakeholder management is already at the core engagement processes by considering the specific of port governance. Therefore, including NBS projects in this context, desired outcomes, stakeholder expectations, and conversation is a logical step for most port communities. motivation for active participation. Prioritizing multi-stakeholder engagement in NBS projects Coalition building: Emphasize joint decision-making and collabo- leverages diverse expertise and perspectives to create ration, essential for the successful implementation of NBS projects. sustainable, context-specific solutions that benefit ports, the • Collaborative alliances: Form temporary coalitions among environment and the community. The following four key aspects stakeholders to share risks, costs, benefits, and responsi- highlight the importance of stakeholder inclusion in NBS: bilities, especially in multi-sectoral and multi-functional NBS projects. • Versatile collaborative approach: NBS projects require • Added value of joint action method: Use this method to ex- active stakeholder involvement throughout the project cycle plore opportunities for cooperation, assess the value of col- for effective implementation and to address their multi- laboration, and prioritize follow-up actions to stimulate effec- functionality. tive coalition building and cooperation among stakeholders. • Local context relevance: Involving local stakeholders is crucial for the successful implementation of NBS measures, Key Takeaways of the Multistakeholder Approach: considering their direct impact and benefits. NBS and • Stakeholder engagement is relevant to ensure that stakeholder engagement must be tailored to local contexts, they are involved in the development of the solutions social needs, and governance tools. moving away from the belief of one-size-fits-all approach. • Reaching the most vulnerable: An inclusive A multidisciplinary team with local and international multistakeholder approach ensures that the most vulnerable experts in the social, governance, technical, financial, are included and heard, providing opportunities to address and environmental fields is required to strengthen NBS the root causes of environmental challenges through NBS. objectives and understand port needs and the local context. It is important to include social experts familiar with reaching Stakeholder Analysis in NBS Projects out to the most marginalized, such as informal settlements, Effective stakeholder engagement requires tailoring processes women, and people with disabilities. to the specific context, culture, stakeholder needs and project • Implementing robust stakeholder analysis methodologies objectives. Key aspects of stakeholder analysis include: and engaging them effectively can help advance NBS projects by fostering collaboration, which helps address Stakeholder: Stakeholders encompass individuals or groups diverse interests and enhance project outcomes while who can influence or are impacted by the project, ranging from ensuring the sustainability and success of NBS. community members to organizations aligned with project goals. • A multistakeholder approach requires knowledge, capacity, time, and financial resources. While the financial and time Stakeholder analysis: Involves identifying, assessing, investments should not be underestimated, the benefits of categorizing, and modeling stakeholder interactions to a successful stakeholder engagement process outweigh understand the stakeholder landscape. the efforts. • Stakeholder identification: Use methods like structured brainstorming, interviews, and social network analysis to create a comprehensive list of stakeholders. • Stakeholder assessment: Highlight stakeholder interests, roles, influence, and resources through interviews, surveys, and data gathering, forming the basis for further analysis. • Stakeholder categorization: Classify stakeholders based on power and interest using tools like the power-interest matrix to determine key players and prioritize engagement efforts. • Initiation timing: Begin stakeholder analysis early in the NBS project to inform decisions on engagement and cooperation, fostering trust and support throughout the project phases. • Continuous process: As projects evolve, new stakeholders may emerge or change positions, necessitating ongoing stakeholder analysis to adapt to evolving project dynamics. Stakeholder participation: Engage stakeholders through a collaborative process, focusing on developing and initiating multi-stakeholder engagement. • Level of involvement: Align stakeholder engagement based on their interest, influence, urgency, power, and legitimacy using tools like the power-interest matrix and the salience model Photo 5.4: Uro Men on a Totora Boat at Lake Titicaca 63 - Chapter 5 - Enabler 6: Capacity Strengthening Capacity Strengthening for Trust and Support in NBS: Main Approaches for Capacity Strengthening: NBS are innovative approaches that involve collaboration Capacity strengthening is tailored to specific contexts; however, across various governance levels (local, national, and three main approaches can be distinguished: sometimes international) to design projects tailored to local • Professional training for academics, practitioners, policy contexts and address diverse challenges. This approach makers, port developers, and multinationals in the requires a broader range of professionals and communities maritime sector than traditional design methods. Stakeholders need knowledge • Project-based training for port communities and understanding of NBS to contribute effectively to project • Training of trainers. development. As NBS in ports is a relatively new concept for many port communities, capacity strengthening of NBS in Professional training covers various ecosystems, NBS ports is even more crucial. concepts, institutional embedding, and stakeholder approaches, while community training is location-specific and Capacity strengthening aims to empower individuals and focuses on a single NBS concept. Community training events organizations through learning and knowledge sharing to cover safety measures, ecosystem functions, monitoring, achieve sustainable change. This involves developing skills, maintenance, and the benefits of NBS projects for communities. exchanging knowledge, and enhancing overall organizational Stakeholder engagement is integral to NBS projects, making performance. At its core, capacity strengthening in NBS is capacity strengthening crucial. about trust. The “training of trainers” approach expands the reach of Trust is essential for fostering cooperation among stakeholders NBS training by equipping educators to teach NBS concepts and promoting NBS as a viable alternative. It’s a two-way to future professionals. Understanding ecology, physical process that involves exchanging knowledge and experiences systems, and socio-economics is essential for successful NBS to design solutions that fit local systems and contexts. It implementation. Training in NBS should provide knowledge in also emphasizes developing skills and building communities these disciplines as well as an understanding of the governance to support the implementation and maintenance of NBS. context related to institutions, stakeholders, and financing. Additionally, raising awareness and building capacity with financial institutions on NBS could assist in unlocking additional financing. Photo 5.5: Fishing Activity in Coastal Village Harbor 64 6 EXPERIENCES WITH NBS IN PORTS IN IMPLEMENTATION - Chapter 6 - Introduction The implementation of NBS is a multifaceted process, presenting new drivers and challenges for development compared to traditional design approaches. This chapter aims to outline the experiences observed in the port sector regarding the implementation of NBS, highlighting both the challenges and the benefits. The chapter structures these takeaways and experiences around the six enablers for NBS implementation and provides recommendations for addressing specific challenges. We interviewed several international port organizations, port authorities, local governments, and green financing organizations such as the World Bank and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to gather their views on NBS implementation. Their anonymized and consolidated views form the basis of this chapter’s findings. Based on the interviews, several general remarks are made on implementing NBS: • NBS offer clear potential. To the interviewees, NBS and their potential benefits to the port and the wider social and natural environment are clear and worth pursuing. They are, however, still relatively new concepts that will take time to be embedded into standard practices. • Levels of implementation. Each port should assess the appropriate and feasible NBS and approach magnitude on the spatial, temporal, and financial levels. It is advisable to explore potential NBS for your port environment, evaluating the complexity and feasibility of implementation on technical, institutional, and stakeholder levels. • Drivers for adoption. Ports have various motivations for adopting NBS, ranging from business incentives for sustainability to societal pressure and legal requirements. • Awareness and understanding. Awareness of NBS and their implications is still developing in many areas. While some ports have clear motivations for NBS, the necessary know-how may still need to be developed among other stakeholders. Ultimately, this understanding should be embedded in regulatory frameworks and institutions to promote widespread implementation. This chapter focuses on identified challenges for ports in implementing NBS, based on the interviews with different stakeholders and industry experts. The challenges are organized into the individual enablers, as presented in Chapter 5. Whereas Chapter 5 focuses on the theory behind the enablers, this chapter presents the challenges from practice as experienced by stakeholders in the maritime industry. It is crucial to understand that these enablers are interconnected. Progress in one enabler cannot be viewed in isolation from progress in others. Interview Parties Interviews were conducted with various actors from port governance as well as sectoral and institutional levels in ports. Participants included international port associations, port authorities and operators of different sizes in different parts of the globe, maritime and environmental authorities of several countries, and international financing organizations interested in NBS. 66 Enabler 1: Enabler 2: Technology and System Knowledge Management, Monitoring, and Maintenance Introduction Introduction Implementing NBS in a port environment It is critical to consider the evolution of NBS under changing climatic requires careful integration of biotic and abiotic conditions. To utilize NBS effectively, users should adopt flexible and processes with existing infrastructure. Key adaptive approaches to management, maintenance, and monitoring, aspects include managing hydrodynamic loads, including: sediment, restoring or preserving indigenous • Balancing initial investments against adaptivity and resilience. species, and ensuring alignment with port • Integrating maintenance strategies from the planning phase. operations and regulatory frameworks. • Anticipating natural dynamics across time and spatial scales in management and monitoring. Drivers and Challenges From the perspective of port authorities, ensuring Drivers and Challenges the continuity of operations and developing Ports face numerous challenges when implementing NBS. They a feasible business case are often primary often perceive NBS as taking longer to develop, being more costly concerns when developing solutions. These in setup and maintenance, and lacking solid proof of concept and considerations typically precede others related understanding of upscaling, which causes high levels of uncertainty. to natural dynamics and NBS, though this is Existing knowledge and data on effectiveness are limited, and guidance not the case for all ports. External factors, such on planning, implementation, and maintenance is often missing. as surrounding pristine areas and associated Additionally, port operators and associated engineering service legislative requirements and policies, strongly drive providers may not yet have sufficient expertise to design and maintain the adoption of more nature-friendly approaches, NBS. rather than the benefits to the port itself. One possible cause is the ports’ lack of awareness NBS management often requires a system perspective beyond regarding the (long-term) benefits of NBS. port boundaries. The broader analyses and management needed to involve and coordinate with other stakeholders can be less efficient When asked for the main technical challenges, compared to traditional gray solutions, especially where multiple port stakeholders cited limited available space landowners are involved. If the port is the sole landowner, managing within the port area due to existing infrastructure, and maintaining NBS is much easier. aversion to the inherently uncertain outcomes of NBS, and the difficulty of accounting for intangible Today’s challenges also offer opportunities to harness the potential of benefits in investment decisions. NBS in support of ports’ SDGs, such as maintaining and developing nature values, reducing CO2 emissions, and facilitating ports’ adaptivity Port stakeholders are well aware that their and resilience. Starting with relatively small NBS that serve as add-ons impacts extend beyond their boundaries, to existing infrastructure can reduce risks. An example is the San Pedro which requires a system-based approach. This Biohut project, which creates fish nurseries. is particularly relevant for challenges whose root causes or effects (such as disruption of Port sustainability developments (for example, energy transition, surrounding pristine ecology) lie outside the ports’ circularity and water quality) will necessarily lead to infrastructure administrative domains, requiring a collaborative, changes and/or expansion. Incorporating NBS from the initial planning multistakeholder effort. stage provides strategic opportunities for green and green-gray developments. Port stakeholders acknowledge that not all NBS can be implemented everywhere. Instead, Conclusions and Recommendations focusing on achievable solutions within existing To fully benefit from NBS, port governance and development constraints has proven effective in advancing must adopt a longer-term perspective and a broader system toward sustainable port operations. consideration for monitoring and maintenance. Flexibility and the capacity to adapt are essential qualities to develop. A key Conclusions and Recommendations recommendation to the port sector is to collaborate with institutions, Ports have historically developed in areas that engineering consultancy firms and stakeholders to gain the required are environmentally beneficial, either through understanding and make informed decisions on NBS and the associated favorable sheltering from severe sea states or management thereof. good hinterland connections. When seeking suitable NBS, it is beneficial to take stock of these Collaborating with different stakeholders can provide diverse natural advantages. Collaboration with other insights and data on a local natural system, its origin, and past stakeholders can help port stakeholders gain a changes (for example, why certain natural elements disappeared better understanding of the larger system, as others or were removed). Collaboration with nature conservation entities or may possess valuable insights for assessing the knowledge institutes can provide data on the larger natural system and potential benefits that nature provides. offer additional skills and expertise that port authorities and contractors may lack, thereby reducing uncertainties and risks of NBS projects. Collaboration on project identification, preparation, and eventually bundling can also mean sharing financial burden and risks, or accessing additional funding sources, such as blended financing, green bonds, carbon bonds, or eco-labels (Favero and Hinkel 2024). 67 - Chapter 6 - Enabler 3: Enabler 4: Business Case Institutional Embedding Introduction Introduction Considering and implementing NBS requires a viable The growing emphasis on sustainability, nature conservation, business case. To construct the business case, two main and carbon sequestration is encouraging ports to think about challenges remain: integrating NBS into their designs. The implementation of • How to assess the correct costs of NBS. NBS requires fitting regulatory frameworks and well-informed • How to cover or finance these costs. institutions. Drivers and Challenges Drivers and Challenges Port authorities and policy makers understand the Existing regulatory frameworks often prioritize importance of obtaining and maintaining a license to restrictions over accelerating the implementation of operate within the broader socioeconomic environment NBS. This creates challenges for ports seeking to adopt and realize the role NBS can play to enhance this. Ports innovative, nature-aligned approaches, particularly as local consider not only their profit and loss accounts but also the technical knowledge and capacity gaps persist. broader societal picture. Interviewees highlighted a lack of capacity both within In practice, NBS often begin as part of the environmental their organizations and among engineering consultancy licensing process and/or compensation mechanisms for firms familiar enough with regulatory frameworks from port (re)construction. To obtain permits, obligatory mitigation both enabling and limiting perspectives. While some or compensation types of measures, such as mangrove countries like the Netherlands and the United Kingdom restoration or recreational beaches and nature reserves have established internal drivers to support NBS integration, are often required. Sometimes, measures go beyond these others are less proactive. In the Netherlands, the Ministry requirements, such as initiatives to create artificial reefs of Infrastructure and Water Management takes a proactive to boost the artisanal fishery sector and biodiversity. NBS role, promoting NBS in coastal and infrastructure projects. typically include the additional benefits for the social and Similarly, the UK’s biodiversity net gain regulations encourage natural environment, which contribute to the chances of the incorporation of NBS into new developments. obtaining the permits. In countries where government bodies are less proactive, Concession contracts typically do not specify how port ports find it challenging to implement NBS, as regulatory construction should be carried out, leaving this to frameworks might hinder the implementation process the prospective concessionaire or investor, which or lack sufficient guidance—for example, the absence transposes the action for implementing NBS. This may pose of a protocol for assessing dredged material for beneficial a challenge to the feasibility thereof, as a multidisciplinary use complicates application. Nonetheless, environmental and collaborative approach is required. regulations and local dependencies can still create opportunities for NBS, but consultants and port authorities In operating and maintenance activities, the typical need to be aware of these opportunities. solution recommended or prescribed by law is to dispose of the dredged material at sea. However, ports could Additionally, some port representatives noted difficulties benefit from reusing dredged materials for NBS creation, in assessing the environmental and social impacts of such as mitigating coastal erosion and reinforcement of flood NBS and a lack of expertise to design, implement, and defenses. monitor them effectively. This knowledge gap presents a significant barrier to implementing solutions supported The availability of technical knowledge and policy by legislation. In addition, without knowledge of NBS directives on NBS is limited for most ports, as is their opportunities, procurement requirements are not phrased in financial capacity. These limitations make the technical and ways that allow NBS to be a solution to a problem. financial risks of considering NBS in port construction and maintenance appear too high, blocking the development of a Beyond the knowledge gap, ports also face limitations viable NBS business case. concerning land rights. Some ports own land that can be used for NBS implementation, simplifying governance. Conclusions and Recommendations However, not all ports have surplus land, complicating To develop viable NBS business cases in port development, implementation. Ports without excess land will need to it is recommended to: leverage changes, such as the energy transition, to create • Improve technical guidance for capacity building of port space in areas previously used for other activities. authorities and policy makers. • Review or develop policy directives to mainstream NBS Conclusions and Recommendations as part of port construction and operations. Ports should not have to depend solely on internal govern- • Consider the larger port area, involving more ment drivers to implement NBS. Developing internationally beneficiaries to share costs for NBS implementation and accepted guidelines on NBS is crucial. These standardized maintenance. Analyzing (additional) economic benefits requirements would provide ports with clear references for of NBS may identify which parties to involve. integrating NBS into their designs. Additionally, the environ- • Involve external financiers pushing for NBS to bridge the mental and social impacts of NBS must be properly assessed funding gap. in environmental and social impact assessments. This would give regulatory bodies a complete comparison between NBS and traditional designs, facilitating informed decision-making. 68 Enabler 5: Enabler 6: Multistakeholder Approach Capacity Strengthening Introduction Introduction NBS take a holistic approach to challenges, involving multiple stakeholders Effective capacity building is essential for who benefit from or are influenced by these projects. Port communities consist the successful adoption of NBS in ports, of numerous important stakeholders, making a multistakeholder approach addressing challenges posed by limited essential, yet complex. A multistakeholder approach reveals the constraints, knowledge and expertise. This involves needs, and wishes of all stakeholders. Once these are understood, process comprehensive training, knowledge transfer, and actions can follow. and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that both policy makers and practitioners Drivers and Challenges fully understand how NBS can address From the perspective of external stakeholders, marine ports are crucial na- challenges and provide opportunities as well tional assets for economies and international connectivity, especially in as how to design and implement them. island nations where ports serve as vital gateways. Although many port authorities operate under a landlord model that allows independent port de- Drivers and Challenges velopment, they are subject to growing demands from governments, NGOs, Our interviews revealed that the concept and society, which heavily relies on port performance. Ports are increasingly of NBS remains relatively new, with a aware of their societal obligations and are seeking solutions that offer broad- need for tangible, implemented cases to er value beyond economic growth, which drives the consideration of NBS. demonstrate its potential. Alongside the knowledge gaps identified in institutional A multistakeholder approach to NBS is strongly linked to obtaining a embedding, these points reduce the license to operate and acquiring permits. Port authorities increasingly likelihood of engineers proposing NBS to recognize that their business is not standalone and that their success depends clients or vice versa. on managing connections with the surrounding world. Cooperation with stakeholders is necessary for the long-term sustainable management of their In ports where NBS have been implemented, business, including interfaces with communities and nature organizations. the involvement of local communities Although a multistakeholder approach is an established best practice, this is appeared crucial for effective awareness more pronounced in the implementation of NBS as a broader range of effects creation and the success of NBS and disciplines is typically considered. initiatives. Residents and local stakeholders often possess valuable environmental Internally, ports must manage a vast network of stakeholders, including knowledge as their economies heavily rely terminal operators, logistics companies, governmental entities, on the health of surrounding ecosystems. and both public and private shareholders. With a growing focus on Engaging these communities in the capacity sustainability and responsible business practices, these stakeholders prefer building process ensures that solutions ports that can adapt to changing market demands, such as shifting global are codesigned to meet local needs and supply chains and the energy transition. Port development strategies, priorities. including NBS, accommodate these changes, in order to stay attractive to national and international clients. Conclusions and Recommendations Capacity building for NBS in ports is vital Maintaining a license to operate and develop requires enhancing for maximizing the potential benefits. natural values and biodiversity to secure environmental space for new It is relevant to target awareness creation projects supporting ongoing transitions. While small-scale NBS are on various levels, such as institutions, relatively straightforward to implement within port boundaries, larger-scale communities, engineers, and academics. NBS benefit multiple external stakeholders. Engaging these stakeholders Prioritizing outreach and education will can slow down implementation but may unlock additional financial resources elevate awareness among stakeholders. due to the collective benefits increase alignment of NBS in the social and Active involvement of local communities environmental context, and reduce the risk of losing the license to operate ensures solutions are contextually relevant. later on in the process. It is recommended to establish networks Conclusions and Recommendations for knowledge sharing and best practices. Implementing NBS requires a broader view of the impacts on the environment Collaboration will help ports collectively and communities. This makes the implementation of NBS and stakeholder address common challenges through NBS engagement more complex, but also reveals the following benefits: and improve these strategies. NBS pilots in • Enhanced license to operate and develop: NBS can improve a port’s ports that are willing to be frontrunners can ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits and approvals and can serve as inspiration to others, while lessons increase support from local communities and stakeholders. learned (for example, on upscaling methods, • Additional ways for cofinancing: Ports can access new funding monitoring, and maintenance) are shared. sources by leveraging the additional benefits to stakeholders. • Enhanced shareholder support: Demonstrating a future-proof course for port governance and development can increase shareholder confidence and support. • Capacity building among stakeholders improves future implementation of NBS. A key recommendation is to engage with stakeholders early in the process of NBS implementation, taking a broad view of which parties should be involved. 69 - Chapter 6 - Recommendations and Summary from Practice Key NBS challenges observed by the port sector were collated from a series of interviews with parties and stakeholders within the port sector. These consultations revealed two key challenges: • There is a high degree of uncertainty associated with NBS, under the technical, economic, and operations perspectives. This also includes the fact that NBS are very project-specific, requiring tailor-made, multidisciplinary approaches. • Current regulatory frameworks, institutions, and collaboration mechanisms are not yet fully facilitating the implementation of NBS. In the long-term transition, a multidisciplinary, multistakeholder approach to port planning, governance, and operations is required to embed NBS into practice. Figure 6.1: Summary of the Most Important Recommended Actions to Enable NBS Implementation in Ports. Map Ecosystem Services and NBS opportunities in Ports Mapping potential NBS opportunities can help identify and map the current and potential valuable (economic) benefits that nature currently provides and could provide, in the larger port area. By involving universities and expert consultancies, opportunities for nature preservation and creation can be identified for the larger port area. Involve Stakeholders Throughout the Project Lifetime This helps with: • Understanding and knowledge development, data collection, and capacity building • Sharing of the financial burden and risks or accessing additional funding sources • Improving license to operate and funding sources • Creating a future-proof course for port governance and development Develop Guidelines and Requirements Develop nationally and internationally accepted guidance and standardized (technical) requirements for NBS in ports. ` Evaluate Environmental and Social Impacts Conduct proper, high-quality assessments of the environmental and social impacts of all port projects, both gray and NBS, to facilitate informed decision-making. Collaborate between Ports Collaboration between ports on NBS and the establishment of pilot projects, along with information sharing, will enhance the perceived feasibility and business case. 70 7 FINANCING NBS IN PORTS - Chapter 7 - Financing NBS in Ports NBS often represent holistic solutions, implemented on a Economic benefits encompass risk reduction (flood, erosion, larger system level, but may sometimes be perceived as more climate, and so on) and a variety of societal benefits such as complex and costly than traditional solutions. However, this biodiversity and tourism. While some benefits can be quantified does not have to be the case. The right business case and in monetary terms, others require different valuation principles. assessment are required to make an NBS both economically These benefits can attract investors and stakeholders other and financially successful. than port developers and operators. Typically, a distinction is made between financial and economic Societal benefits of NBS in ports include: assessments. The financial assessment, or business case, • Enhancement of biodiversity reflects the costs and benefits in market prices for port • Coastal erosion risk reduction developers (greenfield or expansions) or port operators (port • Flood risk reduction (Photo 7.1) facilities and operations). The financial costs and benefits • Facilitating aquaculture relate to such business case. Costs generally refer to the • Raw materials CAPEX and OPEX of the investments, while benefits relate to • Tourism and recreation the revenues generated by these investments. • Water quality • Carbon sequestration The economic assessment quantifies all relevant costs and benefits, including public goods, to assess the economic Financing viability of NBS from a societal perspective. These economic The financing of coastal NBS, or actually the challenges costs and benefits have a broader scope, considering the of mobilizing commercial capital for NBS, has been well- financial implications for the operator as well as the societal studied in recent years. Much has been published by various impact, thus encompassing the costs and benefits for third institutions (multilateral, private, NGOs, and academic) on the parties. As a result, NBS can be more cost effective as they state-of-play, key considerations, and selected case studies of offer additional benefits, while traditional infrastructure may financing NBS in the coastal environment. have undetected external risks. This section builds upon recent publications. Despite the Costs and Benefits positive momentum, driven by both policy stimuli and growing climate awareness, financing of NBS is not yet a matured field Financial costs and benefits are part of the business case for where practical lessons can be drawn from many examples. ports when assessing projected (re)investments, where NBS Currently, most existing NBS projects remain largely funded can be considered. The financial costs and benefits of both by the public sector, mostly through grants. This is specifically capital and operational expenses, depend on the type and the case with flood protection and coastal management due to scope of the NBS. These costs can be compared to traditional the public good character and difficulty to convert investments solutions such as breakwaters and dredging. into financial returns (that is, monetizing the benefits into cash flows that are channeled to the vehicle that is funding the The economic costs relate to the CAPEX and OPEX of NBS construction and maintenance of the NBS). In case of privately and are derived from the financial costs by applying a different, financed nature-based infrastructure, these financings are social discount rate instead of the commercial one used in the often structured on the solvency of the port authority or business case. developer. Photo 7.1: Partial Flooding of the Quay as a Result of Storm Surge in the Port of Cuxhaven, Germany. 72 Projects in general need to be structured and conveyed for, Cost Reduction and Value Capturing making them eligible for and attractive to private capital sup- Monetizing the environmental, social, and economic benefits pliers. This is referred to as “bankability”. Basically, a project’s or externalities created by the project may provide interesting bankability involves responding to the fundamental question: perspectives for financing: Can the financing to construct and maintain the project be re- • OPEX or CAPEX reduction: Sustainable actions can paid? The challenge lies in identifying the value in NBS and reduce expenditures. For example, replanting mangroves demonstrating how this value could support bankability. along the nearby shorelines can reduce local erosion and related sedimentation in shipping channels. Bankability is project and context specific. Therefore, the • Carbon markets: In several regions, carbon emission financing must be tailored or structured to suit the local rights trading markets have been developed or are under characteristics. At the heart of bankability (at asset level) is consideration. Port authorities could include natural a project’s capacity to generate cash flows to cover future sequestration schemes, like seagrass and mangrove financial obligations. planting, to reduce dredging of sediments in and around the port and receive payments from those markets for sequestering and storing carbon. Revenue Models of NBS Projects • Compensatory habitat banking: When habitats are Potential tools for generating project revenues can be damaged due to development activities, compensation is categorized as follows: tax-based, user fees, and/or value often required. In various regions, a legal framework ex- capture. Table 7.1 presents an overview (derived from PIANC ists to outsource compensation activities to parties with 2025). A brief explanation is provided per category. suitable space. Port authorities could help other parties to compensate for lost marine habitats and receive payments Tax-Based for doing so. Such habitats (for example, seagrass, man- Tax-based instruments can be applied by public authorities at groves, and reefs) could also benefit operations and main- central, regional, or local levels, depending on the applicable tenance related to dredging and providing tranquil waters. taxes. • Third party benefits – Special arrangements: Sustain- • Reductions and/or exemptions in company tax, land able actions within the port can lead to benefits for other tax, or real estate value tax may be considered for port parties (spill-over effects) like rising real estate value, in- developers and/or operators implementing NBS. However, creased ecosystem services, reduced insurance premi- this type of ruling in practice may conflict with World Trade ums, and/or fulfilling governmental targets. Sustainable Organization or European Union (EU) state aid rules, actions can also be partly funded by payments for such aimed at providing equal accessibility to port operators. third-party benefits. For instance, reducing or cleaning • Transport to and from the hinterland is usually subject to wastewater (containing sediments) discharge in the port various tax regimes like fuel tax, vehicle tax, or road tax. basin can significantly reduce dredging costs for naviga- These instruments can influence hinterland transport, for tion purposes. Another arrangement involves developers example, by (dis)incentivizing short sea shipping and/or forfeiting part of their land in exchange for off-site benefits, inland waterway transport according to local needs. which can be used for sustainable development purposes; for example, mandating the use of bioswales to reduce User Fees runoff and improve groundwater storage. Port authorities have several instruments to encourage sustainable behavior by port users. These include: • Port dues: These are payments by ship owners for Financing Enablers for NBS Projects using port facilities. Usually, port dues are linked to ship A wide variety of entries exists on how to support and enable metrics, cargo held, and/or type of cargo. These dues can the bankability of NBS and more in particular, NBS in port be structured based on metrics linked to environmental areas. These enablers are mostly of a generic nature, with not impact, such as the required water depth of the access much difference between NBS families, and can be grouped channel. into three levels: system, market, and project, as specified in • Lease tariffs: Port terminal areas are leased out for a Table 7.2 (derived from PIANC 2025). certain period with regular payments to the port authority, sometimes referred to as concessions. Lease tariffs can System Level be structured based on environmental impact, reducing • Build capacity: NBS are a relatively novel category or as- downtime and providing more value for tenants. set class, requiring improved skills, knowledge, and instru- • Service tariffs: Ships are billed for specific services in ments to understand its performance characteristics and ports, like tugboat assistance, piloting, waste collection, and externalities. Building capacity supports the appreciation utility services usage. Sustainable actions can deliver extra of NBS among financial institutions, project developers, services to ship owners, allowing for the inclusion of fees and key (governmental) stakeholders. This relates, on the in service tariffs or adding new services to the menu, such one hand, to technical and financial expertise and literacy as ballast water treatment to avoid mixing of ecosystems. on the side of the project (development) actors, and on the other hand, to the technical expertise of financial actors. Table 7.1: Overview of Tools for Generating Project Revenues Category: Tax-based User fees Cost reduction and value capturing Examples • Tax reduction or exemption for • Port dues • OPEX or CAPEX reduction “green ports”: • Lease tariffs • Carbon markets ○ Port operators • Service tariffs • Habitat banking ○ Terminal operators • Special arrangements ○ Transporters hinterland Source: PIANC 2025. 73 - Chapter 7 - • Develop and improve policy frameworks: More NBS inconsistently measured to be widely used by the financial projects can be developed if incentivized through public sector. An evidence base could be built based on standards procurement policies driven by political will. Effective that define and measure the environmental and socioeco- policy frameworks are essential to promote future NBS nomic performance of these projects. An example of an NBS development. Key actions include valuing ecosystem monitoring framework can be found in the EU publication services as part of national infrastructure, reforming Evaluating the impact of nature-based solutions (2021). subsidies, and creating a robust judicial system that • Optimize through insurance: With enhancing the risk- requires the financial sector to incorporate and report on return profile of NBS projects, the insurance industry climate- or nature-related risks. could facilitate a longer-term investment framework. • Establish performance standards: Stable legal frame- Insurance offerings could unlock financing by mitigating works are critical for private capital to ensure appropriate risk operational risks and supporting the standardization of allocation and a safety net for proper business conduct. Es- sustainable solutions, making cash flows more predictable tablishing standards to define and measure the environmen- and sustainable infrastructure (as an asset class) more tal and socio-economic performance besides the financial attractive to investors. return of NBS projects increases their attractiveness to the financial sector. Encouraging efforts, such as the IUCN with Project Level their Global Standard for NBS (2020), are being made to • Increase risk-return understanding: Commercial capital standardize and clarify the value proposition of NBS globally. in essence requires hard and predictable cash flows for • Develop reporting methodologies and certification: sources of repayment or financial returns. NBS projects Reporting methodologies should capture some of the asso- may be difficult to finance on a standalone basis due to ciated benefits that are difficult to quantify. This will provide inadequate risk-return profiles. Making NBS an integral clear and comparable information on sustainability risks, part of a wider, commercially viable project can promote impacts, and objectives (see the EU Sustainable Finance bankability and access to financing. Simultaneously, Disclosure Regulation). Certification will secure alignment NBS increase resilience to climate change and offer with international standards on sustainable development to environmental and socioeconomic benefits, as such attract investments into quality infrastructure. protecting and even improving, the future value of • Promote awareness and visibility: Financial stakeholders investment assets. This, in turn, would attract a broader may be unfamiliar and therefore uncomfortable with NBS. range of (development) financiers. Raising awareness of the added value of NBS compared • Joint screening for the most promising leads: Early- to traditional solutions is key for their promotion within stage dialogue and collaboration between developers and the financial community. Continuous showcasing of NBS financial institutions improves understanding among NBS through state-of-the-art projects supports an increasingly investors and avoids following leads that look attractive at welcoming environment. first glance but may not be bankable. A joint holistic screening can focus scarce resources on the most promising leads. Market Level • Adaptive, long-term management: NBS are, by nature, • Increase supply of bankable NBS: As with innovations subject to a higher degree of performance uncertainties than in general, both track record and pipeline are needed to conventional (hard) infrastructure solutions. An adaptive and build capacity and achieve cost-efficient operation (lower long-term management approach, whereby the project is transaction costs). A continuous supply of bankable monitored, evaluated, and adjusted where necessary, allows propositions is essential to gain stakeholder interest, it to effectively address such uncertainties and increase the including of financial institutions. evidence base of NBS (for example, on data effectiveness). • Create scale through aggregation of projects: Financial All together, this will positively impact bankability. institutions have various requirements that individual prop- ositions may not meet; for example, risk-return profile and Overall, system- and market-level enablers have to be in place minimum funding allocation or ticket size. Creating scale to facilitate the project’s business case that port authorities through aggregating or pooling of projects may increase would want to pursue. Eventually, coherent development action their interest and reduce transaction and reporting costs. is required from multiple stakeholders, utilizing a mix of enablers • Increase data availability: Publicly available and compa- on the system, market, and project levels to catalyze financing rable data on benefits, performance, and financial returns of for NBS. Otherwise, the business case will fail and no NBS will NBS projects are scarce. Information is often too diverse and be chosen. Table 7.2: Levels of Financing Enablers for Nature-Based Solutions Level Financing enablers NBS System • Capacity (skills, knowledge, instruments) • Policy (regulation, incentives, procurement) • Standards (legal, guidelines) • Reporting methodologies and certification • Awareness and visibility Market • Supply (pipeline, track record) • Scalability (aggregation of projects, landscape) • Data availability (evidence base, regular monitoring) • Insurance (cover for extreme events) Project • Risk-return understanding (business model, value capture) • Joint screening (coordinated efforts among stakeholders) • Adaptive, long-term management (monitor, evaluate, and fine-tune during lifetime) Source: PIANC 2025. 74 8 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY - Chapter 8 - Select Bibliography EcoShape References World Bank. 2023a. “A Blue Transformation for Maritime Transport in the Pacific: Evaluation of the Environmental Sustainability EcoShape. n.d. “Adaptive Management, Maintenance and Moni of Pacific Ports and Development of a Green Ports Roadmap toring.” EcoShape. 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