RESOLVE - Nature based solutions for sustainable use of high north marine biodiversity and ecosystems services

Climate change poses a major threat to biodiversity in the Arctic and Sub‑Arctic regions. RESOLVE investigates how nature‑based solutions (NBS) — such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Other Effective Area‑based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) — can help mitigate these impacts. The project examines how NBS influence biodiversity, human health and wellbeing, and how such measures can support transformative approaches to marine stewardship.

The researchers analyse conflicts between protected areas and human activities, such as fisheries, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of current management practices. Through close collaboration with stakeholders and decision‑makers, the project seeks to identify solutions that enhance ecosystem services and improve quality of life.

RESOLVE conducts case studies in the Barents Sea, Iceland, and East and West Greenland. By comparing biodiversity, human activity, and governance frameworks across these regions, the project will develop best practices for implementing nature‑based solutions. Its overarching aim is to create an interdisciplinary framework that integrates biological, social, and political perspectives to support a more sustainable future.