PONDERFUL

The PONDERFUL project aims to enhance the implementation of ponds and pondscapes as Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for climate change (CC) mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and the delivery of ecosystem services (ES). This goal is achieved by generating, acquiring, and integrating biodiversity, ecosystem, social, economic, and policy knowledge related to ponds as crucial freshwater habitats. The project has successfully quantified the contribution of pondscapes to climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as their role in delivering important services at local to international scales. These efforts directly and indirectly contribute to enhancing biodiversity conservation. The data and results produced by PONDERFUL are used to identify possibilities, cost-effectiveness, and barriers to implementing pond-based NBS for climate change adaptation, mitigation, and other ecosystem services. Additionally, the project generates social and ecological expertise for the practical implementation and management of climate-resilient pond systems.

PONDERFUL Standardisation Objectives:

PONDERFUL’s standardisation objectives are aligned with two key Scientific Objectives (SO):

• SO 4.3: To develop a set of tools for decision-makers and local practitioners to promote and guide the implementation of pondscape Nature-Based Solutions.
• SO 5.3: To schedule and coordinate interactions with existing international scientific, policy, and practical networks and to disseminate project results to multiple audiences.

Under Work Package 5 (WP5) – Communication, Dissemination, and Exploitation – PONDERFUL includes a task directly related to standardisation. Task 5.4 involves working with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to explore the commercialisation of pond products. The primary objective of Task 5.4 is to establish standards for the restoration and creation of ponds across diverse landscape settings (from natural to urban), both for nature conservation and restoration as well as for climate change mitigation purposes. Such type of ponds has been called CLIMA-Ponds. A specific deliverable attached to this Task, led by AMPHI, is currently in the final stages of developing a new standard for creating and restoring ponds and pondscapes across Europe and in other countries (e.g., Uruguay, Türkiye). This standardisation process for CLIMA-Ponds exemplifies the specific outcomes related to PONDERFUL's standardisation requirements.

Reason for applying to HSbooster.eu services

PONDERFUL is applying for the Standardisation Booster service primarily to meet the project’s objective of developing new standards for creating ponds and pondscapes across diverse landscapes, ensuring climate adaptation, biodiversity, and community benefits.

Given the environmental and biological focus of PONDERFUL, the project team lacks professional experience in developing standards. While the production of a new standard has been made possible through the data gathered in the project, as well as extensive scientific advice and literature reviews, this is the first time such a standard is being developed for this specific type of freshwater habitat, i.e., ponds.

The Booster service could provide crucial guidance on navigating the standards field, helping us identify which types of standards are most relevant for the CLIMA-Ponds standardisation process. Additionally, it could advise us on how to adapt our current work into an internationally recognized standardisation framework. For instance, the service could support us in identifying and contacting relevant standardisation organizations and guide us through the steps needed to achieve wider recognition of the CLIMA-Pond standards. Furthermore, the project would like to discuss with the experts in the Booster service how these standards can contribute to the commercialisation of CLIMA-Ponds and identify the route-to-market for this concept, given its scientifically standardised foundation.

In line with the EU Commission’s request, the project aims to ensure that the CLIMA-Pond standard can be mainstreamed beyond the project consortium and adopted by various stakeholders involved in pond creation and restoration.