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Nature-based solutions against forest wildfires

STOA workshop

Forest recovery after a wilfire

Wildfire risk in Europe is intensifying and expanding geographically due to climate change and land-use shifts, bringing growing environmental, economic, and social impacts.

The devastating 2025 wildfires across several EU countries have reinforced the urgency of transitioning from reactive response to preventive, resilience-based approaches. Nature-based solutions--such as ecosystem restoration and diversified landscape management--offer integrated benefits by reducing fire risk while advancing climate adaptation, carbon storage, and rural revitalization. European policy frameworks and funding instruments increasingly support this shift, creating opportunities to scale effective solutions across regions.

The event:

  • Highlighted the role of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in wildfire prevention and management
  • Showcased successful projects across Europe
  • Identified policy and funding mechanisms to apply these solutions locally
  • Generated concrete recommendations to strengthen resilience and community safety

Watch the event

Video recording

Expert interview

Solutions to make Europe more resilient to raging wildfires

Resources

Programme

15:00 - 15:05 Welcome and introductory remarks

  • Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES - MEP and member of the Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA)

15:05 - 16:30 Panel discussion on Nature-Based Solutions against Forest Wildfires

Moderated by Anastasia PANTERA

  • Ine VANDECASTEELE - Expert in in the Climate Risk and Resilience Unit, European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Philippe TULKENS - European Commission, DG RTD, Head of Unit on 'Climate and Planetary Boundaries' and Deputy manager of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, Brussels, Belgium
  • Juan PICOS - Professor, University of Vigo, Spain
  • Anastasia PANTERA - Professor, Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), Greece
  • Ragni FJELLGAARD MIKALSEN - RISE Fire Research, Norway

16:30 - 16:55 Q&A session

16:55 - 17:00 Closing remarks

  • César LUENA - MEP and member of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI)


The event was held in English only, without interpretation. The recording is available below.