The governance systems in the Nordic countries have many similarities, but there are also differences in how the implementation of NbS can be supported through policies. When working with policy development to mainstream and upscale the use of NbS, this is both related to creating new policies, such as strategies and incentive programs, to strengthen existing policies that are already supporting NbS, such as nature protection and restoration initiatives, and to change policies that may not incentivize NbS.
There are several standards and criteria suggested for NbS, and these can also be applied when working with policy development, such as the IUCN global standard. Key elements that policies supporting NbS should also consider, are education and capacity building, financing, stakeholder involvement, knowledge-based management and cross-sectoral collaboration.
The A-DVICE handbook focuses on the different kinds of policies, such as strategies, incentive programs and laws that may be useful when planning NbS in the Nordic region. In that handbook, you can read about policies on the local, regional and national levels in the Nordic region. This includes guidance on international goals and obligations, the Nordic policy landscape, policy integration and cross-sectoral approaches, financial instruments, education, capacity building and awareness raising, voluntary measures and stakeholder engagement, and assessment frameworks for NbS.
The Nordic Council of Ministries has also published more information on the differences between the policy landscapes in the five Nordic countries.