Defining Nature-based solutions

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are defined as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits” (IUCN).

Research highlights that NbS could provide around 30% of the cost-effective mitigation needed by 2030 to stabilise warming to below 2°C . They can also provide a powerful defence against the impacts and long-term hazards of climate change, which is the biggest threat to biodiversity.

Finding ways to work with ecosystems, rather than relying solely on conventional engineered solutions, can help communities adapt to climate change impacts. Using nature to green cities can also result in significant energy savings and health benefits.

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Advantages

1
Embrace nature conservation norms (and principles);
2
can be implemented alone or in an integrated manner with other solutions to societal challenges (e.g. technological and engineering solutions);
3
are determined by site-specific natural and cultural contexts that include traditional, local and scientific knowledge;
4
produce societal benefits in a fair and equitable way, in a manner that promotes transparency and broad participation;
5
maintain biological and cultural diversity and the ability of ecosystems to evolve over time;
6
are applied at a landscape scale;
7
recognise and address the trade-offs between the production of a few immediate economic benefits for development, and future options for the production of the full range of ecosystems services; and
8
are an integral part of the overall design of policies, and measures or actions, to address a specific challenge.
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