Innovating Nature-based Solutions: learnings from the EU Horizon 2020 RECONECT project

This paper proposes a specialised framework that integrates the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and the Commercial Readiness Index (CRI) to assess learnings from a Horizon 2020 (H2020) project on innovation development via the selection and enhancement of supporting tools and technologies for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) implementation and evaluation. We developed and applied the methodology to scout NbS-related innovations that are at a certain TRL and had the potential for commercial exploitation, and then included tailored activities to help these solutions to reach at least CRI-1 (i.e. have the business model outlined, initial market research done, business case formulated). The tools and technologies were assessed through a lens of innovation, explication, and upscaling. As a result, novel guidelines tailored for NbS innovations were established to introduce a participatory approach in TRL and CRI evaluations to support commercial exploitation for upscaling NbS into mainstream society through market uptake of H2020 frameworks.