LENSES
LENSES (LEarning and action alliances for NexuS EnvironmentS in an uncertain future) was an innovative project implemented from May 2021 to April 2024. Its methodologies, tools, and findings continue to support climate resilience efforts by addressing the interconnectedness of water, energy, food, and ecosystem services. The project used a systems-based approach to understand and manage the synergies and trade-offs across these sectors, enabling the development of sustainable solutions that fostered climate adaptation in vulnerable regions.
The project not only focused on high-level research and modelling but also emphasised in-situ measurements and actions. By collaborating with national agencies, local authorities, and institutions involved in hydrographic basin management, LENSES gathered valuable data that enhanced the accuracy and applicability of its solutions.
LENSES project video
LENSES operated seven pilot projects across the Mediterranean, testing innovative solutions and generating valuable data to inform climate resilience strategies. These pilots served as practical examples of how integrated approaches could address climate challenges in specific regions.
APPROACH
LENSES applied a mixed methodology that combined generalisable findings with a challenge-driven innovation approach, addressing the complexity and uncertainty of the water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEFE) nexus. Below is a brief overview of the project’s key approaches:
Participatory Approaches and LAAs
At the core of LENSES was managing the Nexus, balancing synergies and conflicts between sectors. A participatory process addressed divergent interests and social norms, with Learning & Action Alliances fostering collaboration and mutual learning among stakeholders.
Policy Recommendations
LENSES analysed effective policy drivers for Nexus management, aligning with the EU’s evidence-based multi-objective policy design. The project also explored the role of participatory rights in the success of resilient Nexus management.
Participatory System Dynamics Modelling (PSDM)
LENSES used system dynamics models to analyse the evolution of WEFE systems, identifying key interactions and improving understanding of their behaviour.
Ecosystem Services Assessments
Ecosystem services are assessed in critical areas using tools like SWAT and ICZ, mapping and quantifying functions such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, and nutrient transformation.
Nexus-SDG Co-Evaluations
LENSES developed a toolkit to assess how WEFE systems contributed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), identifying practices and policies that supported sustainable development pathways.
Natural Resource Economics
The project evaluated the socio-economic impacts of nature-based solutions (NBS), exploring how to internalise both positive and negative externalities of water-related activities and exploring new financial models to support NBS sustainability.
Nature-based Solutions (NBS)
LENSES promoted NBS, leveraging natural processes to improve ecosystem sustainability and resilience. These solutions reduced vulnerabilities across the Nexus and aligned with greener agricultural policies, such as the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
CONCRETE MEASURES
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Fostered connections between traditionally isolated sectoral and institutional actors through multi-stakeholder engagement in the joint management of the Nexus, promoting mutual benefits.
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Reduced inter-sectoral and institutional fragmentation while enhancing cross-sectoral collaboration on water, energy, and food.
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Evaluated the EU policy framework to support a sustainable approach to the water-energy-food Nexus.
KEY OUTCOMES
LENSES delivered a comprehensive suite of tools and initiatives designed to operationalise the WEFE Nexus and foster climate resilience. These include:
Catalogue of Nature-based Solutions (NBS):
A tool to identify and implement NBS tailored to specific challenges, offering guidelines and performance indicators for sustainable application.
LENSES Podcast and Stories:
Engaging audio and visual content to communicate project insights and foster public awareness of the Nexus approach.
Learning and Action Alliances (LAAs)
Platforms for multi-stakeholder engagement, fostering dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the co-creation of transition roadmaps.
Communication and Dissemination Activities:
Participation in scientific workshops and conferences, along with accessible publications to promote project findings.
LENSES Serious Game:
Interactive digital experiences that simulated socio-ecological challenges, educating stakeholders on sustainable development and Nexus governance.
Scientific and Dissemination Articles
Peer-reviewed and general audience articles shared research advancements and practical outcomes.
Deliverables
Detailed project reports documented methodologies, findings, and recommendations for replication and scaling.
EcoAdapta led the pilot case in Doñana National Park, Spain. This project, located in one of Europe's most important wetland areas, served as a key example of how localised, multi-sectoral approaches could address climate impacts in sensitive ecosystems.
By integrating cutting-edge data and cross-sector collaboration for practical interventions, LENSES PRIMA contributed to the development of adaptable and resilient communities, ensuring that climate resilience strategies were tailored to local contexts and aligned with broader sustainable development goals.
Together, we strive for a sustainable and protected Doñana Park, fostering a socio-economic framework that harmonises with environmental stewardship.
This project has received funding from the PRIMA programme supported by the European Union under the H2020 EU Funding for Research and Innovation - Call 2020 Section 1 Nexus IA
