Nature-based solutions

Example for a nature-based solution in the area of water resource management: this riparian buffer protects a creek in Iowa, United States from the impact of adjacent land uses

Nature-based solutions (or nature-based systems, and abbreviated as NBS or NbS) describe the development and use of nature (biodiversity) and natural processes to address diverse socio-environmental issues.[1] These issues include climate change mitigation and adaptation, human security issues such as water security and food security, and disaster risk reduction.[2] The aim is that resilient ecosystems (whether natural, managed, or newly created) provide solutions for the benefit of both societies and biodiversity.[3] The 2019 UN Climate Action Summit highlighted nature-based solutions as an effective method to combat climate change.[4] For example, nature-based systems for climate change adaptation can include natural flood management, restoring natural coastal defences, and providing local cooling.[5]: 310 

The concept of NBS is related to the concept of ecological engineering[6] and ecosystem-based adaptation.[5]: 284  NBS are also related, conceptually to the practice of ecological restoration. The sustainable management approach is a key aspect of NBS development and implementation.

Mangrove restoration efforts along coastlines provide an example of a nature-based solution that can achieve multiple goals. Mangroves moderate the impact of waves and wind on coastal settlements or cities,[7] and they sequester carbon.[8] They also provide nursery zones for marine life which is important for sustaining fisheries. Additionally, mangrove forests can help to control coastal erosion resulting from sea level rise.

Green roofs, blue roofs and green walls (as part of green infrastructure) are also nature-based solutions that can be implemented in urban areas. They can reduce the effects of urban heat islands, capture stormwater, abate pollution, and act as carbon sinks. At the same time, they can enhance local biodiversity.

NBS systems and solutions are forming an increasing part of national and international policies on climate change. They are included in climate change policy, infrastructure investment, and climate finance mechanisms. The European Commission has paid increasing attention to NBS since 2013.[9] This is reflected in the majority of global NBS case studies reviewed by Debele et al (2023) being located in Europe.[2] While there is much scope for scaling-up nature-based systems and solutions globally, they frequently encounter numerous challenges during planning and implementation.[2][10][11]

The IPCC pointed out that the term is "the subject of ongoing debate, with concerns that it may lead to the misunderstanding that NbS on its own can provide a global solution to climate change".[12]: 24  To clarify this point further, the IPCC also stated that "nature-based systems cannot be regarded as an alternative to, or a reason to delay, deep cuts in GHG emissions".[5]: 203 

  1. ^ Girardin, Cécile A. J.; Jenkins, Stuart; Seddon, Nathalie; Allen, Myles; Lewis, Simon L.; Wheeler, Charlotte E.; Griscom, Bronson W.; Malhi, Yadvinder (2021). "Nature-based solutions can help cool the planet — if we act now". Nature. 593 (7858): 191–194. Bibcode:2021Natur.593..191G. doi:10.1038/d41586-021-01241-2. PMID 33981055.
  2. ^ a b c Debele, S. E.; Leo, L. S.; Kumar, P.; Sahani, J.; Ommer, J.; Bucchignani, E.; Vranić, S.; Kalas, M.; Amirzada, Z.; Pavlova, I.; Shah, M. A. R.; Gonzalez-Ollauri, A.; Di Sabatino, S. (2023). "Nature-based solutions can help reduce the impact of natural hazards: A global analysis of NBS case studies". Science of the Total Environment. 902: 165824. Bibcode:2023ScTEn.90265824D. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165824. hdl:11585/953217. PMID 37527720.
  3. ^ Eggermont, Hilde; Balian, Estelle; Azevedo, José Manuel N.; Beumer, Victor; Brodin, Tomas; Claudet, Joachim; Fady, Bruno; Grube, Martin; Keune, Hans (2015). "Nature-based Solutions: New Influence for Environmental Management and Research in Europe" (PDF). Gaia - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 24 (4): 243–248. doi:10.14512/gaia.24.4.9. S2CID 53518417. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  4. ^ Environment, U. N. (2019). "Nature-Based Solutions for Climate". UNEP - UN Environment Programme. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  5. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Marois, Darryl E.; Mitsch, William J. (2 January 2015). "Coastal protection from tsunamis and cyclones provided by mangrove wetlands – a review". International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management. 11 (1): 71–83. Bibcode:2015IJBSE..11...71M. doi:10.1080/21513732.2014.997292. ISSN 2151-3732. S2CID 86554474. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  8. ^ Inoue, Tomomi (2019), "Carbon Sequestration in Mangroves", Blue Carbon in Shallow Coastal Ecosystems, Singapore: Springer Singapore, pp. 73–99, doi:10.1007/978-981-13-1295-3_3, ISBN 978-981-13-1294-6, S2CID 133839393, archived from the original on 23 November 2021, retrieved 5 September 2021
  9. ^ Faivre, Nicolas; Fritz, Marco; Freitas, Tiago; de Boissezon, Birgit; Vandewoestijne, Sofie (2017). "Nature-Based Solutions in the EU: Innovating with nature to address social, economic and environmental challenges". Environmental Research. 159: 509–518. Bibcode:2017ER....159..509F. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2017.08.032. ISSN 0013-9351. PMID 28886502. S2CID 42573101. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  10. ^ Wamsler, C.; Wickenberg, B.; Hanson, H.; Alkan Olsson, J.; Stålhammar, S.; Björn, H.; Falck, H.; Gerell, D.; Oskarsson, T.; Simonsson, E.; Torffvit, F. (2020). "Environmental and climate policy integration: Targeted strategies for overcoming barriers to nature-based solutions and climate change adaptation". Journal of Cleaner Production. 247: 119154. Bibcode:2020JCPro.24719154W. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119154. ISSN 0959-6526.
  11. ^ Chausson, Alexandre; Turner, Beth; Seddon, Dan; Chabaneix, Nicole; Girardin, Cécile A. J.; Kapos, Valerie; Key, Isabel; Roe, Dilys; Smith, Alison; Woroniecki, Stephen; Seddon, Nathalie (2020-09-09). "Mapping the effectiveness of nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation". Global Change Biology. 26 (11): 6134–6155. Bibcode:2020GCBio..26.6134C. doi:10.1111/gcb.15310. ISSN 1354-1013. PMID 32906226. S2CID 221621517.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference :12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).