What are nature-based solutions and how do they benefit us?

Nature-based solutions are actions or interventions where people work or connect with nature to provide benefits for people (including themselves) and for plants and animals (biodiversity). When used to help people adapt to climate change or to reduce climate risk, they are called nature-based solutions for climate adaptation – also known as ecosystem-based adaptation.

Nature-based solutions can be championed and implemented by individuals, groups, or through projects, programmes or networks. Regardless of their purpose and who implements them, nature-based solutions take many forms.

In this knowledge brief, researchers at Tuwe Pamoja outline the four types of NbS and to illustrate how they can support climate change adaptation by reducing people’s exposure, sensitivity and vulnerability to climate impacts, and by increasing their adaptive capacity. The brief also gives guidance for how to measure progress of NbS use, suggesting how implementers can consider where they are coming from and where they are heading, and how these solutions can be designed and carried out in ways that are fair, respectful, socially responsive and socially inclusive.

View the brief here or explore it in full below.