Wetland restoration in Jönköping: County Administrative Board and industry in beneficial collaboration

When Jönköping County Council was developing a wetland strategy, they also wanted to involve businesses. They hired Ecogain to help them develop the wetland strategy, but also to explore how the business community could get involved in wetland work in the county.

Ecogain's environmental consultants began the project with a comprehensive study to analyze the opportunities and challenges companies face when dealing with wetland issues. Among other things, they examined the potential market benefits of working with wetland restoration and how companies can use restoration to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Interviews with business representatives and financial actors showed that there is a high level of ambition and willingness to participate in wetland work. We also identified some practical challenges, such as skills, funding and coordination with landowners - all important key areas for success.

Strong business commitment to work on wetlands

Ecogain developed various proposals for tailored solutions to meet the challenges, such as developing certifications, encouraging regional coordination with landowners, and creating methodologies to value nature and measures to restore it. Solutions that become feasible thanks to the strong commitment of the business community. For example, one mining company valued wetland restoration as a good and effective measure - a 'low hanging fruit' - because they saw the benefits of the wetland's function in the landscape, but also as a compensation measure.

With expertise in ecology and limnology, together with knowledge in strategy and policy work, Ecogain's environmental consultants were able to deliver a comprehensive description of the current situation, a clear picture of the business incentives, and show ways in which the County Administrative Board of Jönköping can stimulate and support the companies going forward.