Government Pavilion, C/ Padre Herrera s/n
Post Office Box 456
38200, San Cristobal de La Laguna
Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Spain
Switchboard Tel.: (+34) 922 31 90 00
Hours: Mon, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Overview
This microcredential trains professionals in design and
implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), adapted to
Environmental context of the Canary Islands ecosystems. The program addresses integration
These solutions in projects and public policies involve the use of tools
impact assessment, and financial management and strategic communication for
to facilitate its implementation and social acceptance.
1. To provide technical training to professionals in architecture, engineering and public administration in the identification, design and application of Nature-Based Solutions, specifically adapting them to the orography and biodiversity of the Canary Islands ecosystems.
2. Promote capacity building in public institutions and the private sector for the integration of NbS criteria in the drafting of projects, tender documents and urban planning schemes.
3. Provide monitoring and evaluation tools based on scientific indicators that allow for the accurate measurement of the effectiveness, environmental impact and social return of implemented green and blue infrastructures.
4. To provide training in the financial management and strategic communication of NbS projects, facilitating access to European funding and improving the social acceptance of these solutions compared to traditional grey infrastructure.
To access the microcredential, the following requirements must be met:
- Be between 25 and 64 years of age on the date the training begins.
A university degree is not required to access this micro-credential. However, students wishing to access it must meet at least one of the following access requirements:
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Hold a Higher Level Vocational Training qualification, preferably in the fields of engineering, environmental sciences, marine sciences, biology, geography, geology, administration, management, or similar.
- Demonstrate a minimum of two years of professional experience in the field of engineering, environmental sciences, marine sciences, biology, geography, geology, administration, management, or similar fields.
Academic program
Module 1: Introduction and Strategic Framework of NbS
1.1. Conceptual basis: Definition, basic principles and taxonomy of Nature-Based Solutions according to the IUCN and the European Commission.
1.2. Evolution and context: From green infrastructure to NbS; analysis of the transition towards regenerative engineering models.
1.3. Ecosystem Services: Benefits in urban (heat islands, air quality), agricultural (soil health, pollination) and natural/coastal environments.
1.4. Governance and Regulations: European legislative framework (Green Deal), national framework and specificities of the Canary Islands Climate Change Law.
Module 2: Design, Planning and Technical Implementation
2.1. Project Methodology: General framework for risk analysis with SBN. Identification of hazards and threats. Impacts, co-benefits and cascade effects.
2.2. Applied typologies: Definition of SUDS, scope and typology: Infiltration systems (Permeable pavements, trenches and infiltration wells), conduction and filtration systems (Green ditches, filter strips and vegetated channels), retention and detention systems (Rain gardens, retention ponds, constructed wetlands and detention tanks), systems integrated into buildings (Green roofs, cisterns and rainwater reuse systems).
2.3. SUDS Design: Hydraulic-hydrological design criteria. Runoff analysis, sizing and modeling.
Module 3: Monitoring and Impact Assessment Protocols
3.1. Monitoring techniques: Digital tools and sensors for monitoring environmental variables.
3.2. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Definition of metrics to evaluate biodiversity, carbon capture and thermal regulation.
3.3. Evaluation of effectiveness: Methodologies to compare the performance of NbS against traditional engineering solutions in the short and long term.
Module 4: Funding, Communication and Promotion
4.1. Economic sustainability: Life cycle cost analysis (LCC) and public (EU Funds) and private financing models.
4.2. Communication strategies: Awareness techniques for social acceptance and citizen participation in green projects.
4.3. Stakeholder Management: Technical presentation and defense of projects before public administrations and business sectors.
The training activities to be carried out during the delivery of the micro-credential will be:
- Theoretical classes: expository, explanatory or demonstration sessions of the contents and knowledge.
- Work: preparation of a study, essay, work… proposed in the subject, either individually or in a group following established guidelines.
- Independent work: independent and self-regulated activity of the student starting from the
Documentation and guidelines proposed in the subject, preparation of classes and exams, preparation of final reports, internship reports… - Exhibitions, debates and defenses of works and projects: activity through which the
Students submit assignments, exercises, projects… based on established criteria,
demonstrating sufficiency and maturity in the acquisition of the planned skills. - Tutoring (individual, group…): activity in which the teaching staff attends to, facilitates and guides one or more students in the training process.
- Assessment: continuous assessment tests and final exams. Tests may be in person or online, and may be written, oral, or consist of practical exercises.
Regarding the way to organize the teaching to achieve the objectives set out in the micro-credential, the organizational modality summarized below will be followed:
- Lectures/expository method: presentation or explanation by the teaching staff.
- Seminars: completing exercises, solving problems or practical cases, others.
- Individual work: individual preparation of assignments/projects/reports, portfolio, …
- Group work: group preparation of assignments, projects/reports, …
- Personal study: preparation for tests, exams, etc.
- Assessment: written tests, oral tests, practical tests…
- Tutoring: instruction period in which teachers and students interact with the aim of reviewing and discussing materials and topics presented in class.
The microcredential will have an evaluation system (ES) based on the following assessment tests:
- Objective tests (true/false, multiple choice, test type, fill-in-the-blank, ordering, etc.): are measurement instruments that allow the evaluation of knowledge, abilities, performance, aptitudes,
etc. The answers are closed and objectivity is favored when correcting them. - Short-answer or brief tests: a type of objective test in which the
Students do not elaborate in their response, instead providing the specific information requested. - Development tests, long answer: students must develop, relate, organize and present their knowledge on a topic to produce an extensive answer.
- Case studies, exercises and problems: tests in which students must solve, in a reasoned manner, within a certain time, and according to the established criteria, the cases, exercises or problems posed by the teaching staff, with the aim of applying the knowledge acquired.
- Attendance, participation or attitude in teaching activities, seminars, tutorials, etc.: monitoring student attendance and participation in teaching activities, carrying out activities during teaching sessions.
- Works, memoirs, internship reports, written reports and projects: document
prepared on a topic or activity carried out, following the instructions established by the teaching staff.
General information
Credits: 2 ECTS
Duration: 04/05/2026-29/05/2026
Teaching modality: Virtual
Location: ULL Virtual Campus
Valued at: €145
The cost of tuition for this Microcredential will be subsidized by the 'Plan for the development of university microcredentials', investment 6 of component 21 of the Addendum to the 'Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan', financed by the European Union – Next Generation EU, year 2025.
Short courses available in various formats (in-person, online, or hybrid). Ideal for learning without interrupting your professional life.
Content created and delivered by professionals and experts in the field, designed for immediate application.
Endorsed by the University of La Laguna. You will receive an official ECTS certificate, valid in the European Higher Education Area.
Teaching staff
