Ecosystem services science plays a crucial role in tackling global health and sustainable development challenges. It serves as a foundation for fostering collaboration across disciplines and driving transformative solutions. In line with this vision, the 5th ESP Europe Conference took place from November 18–22, 2024, in Wageningen, The Netherlands. Organised by the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP), the Foundation for Sustainable Development, and Wageningen University & Research, the event brought together over 500 participants from 49 European countries, the USA, Russia, and Canada. 

Against this background, SpongeBoost is glad to have been part of the event and to actively contribute to enhancing transformative change in science. Jan Brabec from UJEP participated in sessions on “Leveraging Ecosystem Services for Agroecological Transitions” and “Forests for a Better World: Ecosystem, Human, and Economic Perspectives.” In his presentations, he emphasised the importance of enhancing nature-based flood mitigation strategies through effective policy and practice. He also discussed the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) in climate adaptation strategies, their economic assessment, and the need to address the unequal distribution of costs and benefits to ensure equitable and sustainable NBS planning.

Additionally, SpongeBoost was showcased at a joint exhibition booth alongside SELINA and REST-COAST, supported by the project’s communication and dissemination partners from Pensoft. This collaborative representation highlighted SpongeBoost’s commitment to advancing sustainable ecosystem services and its role in promoting innovative climate resilience strategies.