The PHUSICOS NBS simulation

At least 66% of the Paris Agreement signatories include nature-based solutions (NBS) to help achieve their climate change mitigation and/or adaptation goals. There is thus a growing recognition that NBS – here defined as solutions inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience (European Commission 2020) – can help provide viable solutions to a broad range of societal challenges. Among others, NBS can contribute to reducing natural hazards and establishing climate resilient societies. However, to realize their full potential, NBS must be mainstreamed into local, national, and international governance regimes, including regulatory and financial procedures, as well as into risk management, land use, and spatial planning strategies. Socio-ecological simulations, or serious games, are a participatory process where a group of participants collectively explore a complex reality and complex challenges. They have been shown to be very effective learning tools that can serve as participatory tools, and support understanding of essential governance issues, including sustainable development, climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction (Solinksa-Nowak et al., 2018). The PHUSICOS NBS simulation represents a fictional setting (PHUSICOS region) at risk from extreme weather events and in which different stakeholder groups are represented.