HORIZON-CL5-2022-D1-02-05: Let nature help do the job: Rewilding landscapes for carbon sequestration

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to some of the following expected outcomes: Contribution to IPBES and IPCC, to the achievement of objectives of reaching net zero carbon emissions, enhancing climate change adaptation, and to the EU Biodiversity Strategy. [...] Assess the perception and acceptability of citizens and stakeholders on rewilding and rewilding options and identify potential conflicts and trade-offs in governance and decision-making. [...] Scope: The biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis are intrinsically linked and the contribution of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) to the global climate objectives is pivotal. [...] Actions should significantly advance knowledge on the role and relevance of restoring fully functional trophic chains, for instance through the conservation, management and reintroduction of apex predators, grazers and scavengers, in the “rewilding” process, with a special focus on the functioning of trophic cascades on landscape processes and the ability of ecosystems to act as carbon sinks. [...] This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH and gender expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.