Nature-Based Solutions

The world is facing urgent environmental challenges, with many ecosystems nearing irreversible tipping points. To secure a sustainable future, societies must transform how they interact with nature, balancing societal and economic needs with the health of the environment that supports us all. A key part of this transformation is using Nature-based Solutions (NbS) on a large scale whenever possible.

While there is no single definition of NbS, two widely recognized ones highlight their importance:

• According to the IUCN, NbS are actions to protect, manage, and restore ecosystems in ways that tackle societal challenges while improving human well-being and supporting biodiversity.
• The European Commission describes NbS as nature-inspired solutions that are cost-effective, delivering environmental, social, and economic benefits while building resilience.

Examples of NbS vary in scale and impact. Smaller-scale NbS, like green roofs in cities, can reduce stormwater runoff, cool buildings, and lower urban heat. Large-scale NbS, such as creating native woodlands in water catchments, can reduce flooding, improve water quality, and provide widespread benefits to communities.

Our NbS project will examine the challenges and opportunities for scaling up NbS implementation. Through an in-depth review of existing research and input from experts, we aim to identify practical steps to expand the use of NbS and unlock their potential to address global environmental challenges effectively.