Introduction to Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Development
start
Strides in global development
Over the last four generations, humanity has made great strides in global development. During this time, more gains have been made in life expectancy than in the last 8000 generations, with a current global average life expectancy of 70 years. From 1990 to 2015, the number of people in extreme poverty has been reduced by half, and more than a billion people have been lifted out of poverty. We should continue to develop at this scale, but not at the cost of the planet. Click on the image to learn which planetary boundaries have been crossed.
Our planetary boundaries are threatened
Planetary emergency
We are facing a planetary emergency. This needs to change. Nature-based solutions (NBS) can help us tackle this emergency.
This lesson aims to introduce you to nature-based solutions and inspire you to consider applying them in your context.
Objectives
This lesson will define nature-based solutions and outline their contributions to addressing societal challenges, enhancing ecosystems, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Hover over each icon to learn the objectives of this lesson.
Objective 1:Define NBS
Objective 2:Sustainable development
Objective 3:NBS examples
Key terms
Before reviewing the lesson, click on each term to read its definition.
Agri-biodiversity
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Agroforestry
Nature-based solutions (NBS)
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Ecosystem
Ecosystem services
Sustainable development
Defining nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions that protect, sustainably manage and/or restore ecosystems, while simultaneously contributing to the achievement of the sustainable development goals, including climate adaptation and mitigation, food security, water security, disaster risk reduction, and livelihoods, among others.
While exact definitions of nature-based solutions may vary, all of them capture the complexity of NBS and the value they provide. Many of the organizations that advocate for NBS have stressed the importance of nature-based solutions for climate to encourage decision makers to invest in NBS as a key strategy to achieve their national climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development commitments.
Nature-based solutions: Why now?
Climate change and biodiversity loss result in profound societal and economic risks. The last decade has seen unprecedented levels of water and food crises, natural disasters, interstate conflict, social instability, involuntary migration, and many other threats to the planet. We are fast approaching critical climate tipping points. Click the images below to learn more.
The Future
Today
Nature-based solutions: Why now?
Nature Now
Watch the video to the right on climate action with youth climate activist, Greta Thunberg, and climate scientist, George Monbiot.
Principles of nature-based solutions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has defined the principles that underpin nature-based solutions. According to IUCN, nature-based solutions:
embrace nature conservation norms (and principles)
are determined by site specific natural and cultural contexts that include traditional, local, and scientific knowledge
maintain biological and cultural diversity and the ability of ecosystems to evolve over time
can be implemented alone or in an integrated manner with other societal challenges
produce societal benefits in a fair and equitable way, in a manner that promotes transparency and broad participation
are applied at the scale at a landscape
recognize 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 ecosystem services
are an integral part of the overall design of policies, and measures or actions, to address a specific challenge
Nature-based solutions criteria
With global recognition of nature-based solutions as a powerful tool in combating climate change and biodiversity loss it is important to be clear about what actions do not meet the criteria of a nature-based solution. The criteria includes cutting emissions, conserving and protecting ecosystems, along with being socially and ecologically responsible. There are risks when attempts at implementing nature-based solutions do not follow these criteria.
+info
SDGs with targets that depend on nature
There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and roughly half of their 169 targets are dependent upon, or indivisible from nature for their achievement. The following SDGs are dependent on nature:
Categories of nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions represent a wide range of ecosystem-related approaches to address many societal issues. The following is one typology, developed by BiodivERsA ERA-NET, that categorizes NBS interventions by the level of engineering of biodiversity and ecosystems involved and the level of enhancement of ecosystem services achieved. Click on each type to learn more.
Type 1: Use of natural ecosystems
Type 2: Managed or restored ecosystems
Type 3: Creation of new ecosystems
Nature-based solutions as a three-part equation
Nature-based solutions mean taking action (ex. protect, manage, restore, connect) with nature (ex. specific ecosystem, element of biodiversity) to solve a problem (ex. food security, water security, etc.). Nature-based solutions can deliver approximately a third of the cost-effective CO2 mitigation needed through 2030 while supporting more productive and resilient communities with social, economic and environmental returns. Many NBS lead to the achievement of multiple SDG outcomes. To help identify how nature-based solutions can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, we recommend assessing them as the following three-part equation.
SDG Outcome
Nature Element
Action
+info
Nature-friendly solutions as a three-part equation
Nature-friendly solutions are any product, service, or action that reduces pressure on biodiversity. To help identify how nature-friendly solutions can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, we recommend assessing them as the following three-part equation.
SDG Outcome
Human Element
Action
+info
Societal challenges and nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions offer many approaches to solving major global societal challenges through a range of effective and adaptive uses of natural or modified ecosystems and ecosystems services. They go beyond only addressing environmental challenges and apply to a wide variety of sectors. Therefore, many NBS impact multiple societal issues. Click on the buttons on the bottom right of each image to navigate to that page.
NBS for Livelihoods
NBS for Climate Action
NBS for Food Security
NBS for Disaster Management
NBS for Water Security
NBS for Human Health
NBS for livelihoods
Nature-based solutions can act as a safety net for the three billion people who depend on nature for their livelihoods through agriculture, forestry, fisheries and ecotourism. Click on the images below to learn more.
Examples
Facts
Return
NBS for climate action
Nature-based solutions can help address the climate crisis by sequestering carbon and other greenhouse gases. Click on the images below to learn more.
Facts
Examples
Return
NBS for food security
Nature-based solutions can enhance food security through direct subsistence and improved income opportunities. Click on the images below to learn more.
Examples
Facts
Return
NBS for water security
Nature-based solutions yield a wide variety of benefits for water-related services and are essential for achieving water security. Click on the images below to learn more.
Facts
Examples
Return
NBS for disaster management
Nature-based solutions are essential for mitigating the risk of natural disasters. Click on the images below to learn more.
Facts
Examples
Return
NBS for human health
Nature-based solutions can increase biodiversity and provide humans with medicine and nutrients crucial to their health. Click on the images below to learn more.
Examples
Facts
Congratulations on completing the lesson "Introduction to nature-based solutions"!
This lesson defined nature-based solutions and explored how they contribute to addressing planetary emergencies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It laid the foundation for you to dive deeper into nature-based solutions that will be discussed in the forthcoming micro-course "Nature-based solutions for sustainable development." Stay tuned for the launch of the micro-course!
Additional resources
IUCN -Nature-based Solutions to address global societal challenges
World Economic Forum- Nature Risk Rising
UN - Forests, desertification and biodiversity
WWF- Enhancing NDCs through Nature-Based Solutions
Stockholm Resilience Centre - "Planetary Boundaries - an update"
UNDP - Pathway for Increasing Nature-Based Solutions in NDCs
OECD - Environmental Outlook to 2050: The Consequences of Inaction
PNAS - Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood
10
Rainforest Alliance - Deforestation and Pandemics
11
WRI - Nature is An Economic Winner for COVID-19 Recovery
UNDP - Progress on the New York Declaration on Forests: Finance for Forests - Goals 8 and 9 Assessment Report
References
IUCN - Nature-based solutions
UNDP - VIDEO: Leaders of industry and community call for nature-based solutions Infographic: Nature-based solutions for development
UNDP - Earth Day Nature for Life
UNEP - Decade of Ecosystem Restoration
IPBES - Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services
Preview: Introduction to NBS
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Transcript
Introduction to Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Development
start
Strides in global development
Over the last four generations, humanity has made great strides in global development. During this time, more gains have been made in life expectancy than in the last 8000 generations, with a current global average life expectancy of 70 years. From 1990 to 2015, the number of people in extreme poverty has been reduced by half, and more than a billion people have been lifted out of poverty. We should continue to develop at this scale, but not at the cost of the planet. Click on the image to learn which planetary boundaries have been crossed.
Our planetary boundaries are threatened
Planetary emergency
We are facing a planetary emergency. This needs to change. Nature-based solutions (NBS) can help us tackle this emergency. This lesson aims to introduce you to nature-based solutions and inspire you to consider applying them in your context.
Objectives
This lesson will define nature-based solutions and outline their contributions to addressing societal challenges, enhancing ecosystems, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Hover over each icon to learn the objectives of this lesson.
Objective 1:Define NBS
Objective 2:Sustainable development
Objective 3:NBS examples
Key terms
Before reviewing the lesson, click on each term to read its definition.
Agri-biodiversity
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Agroforestry
Nature-based solutions (NBS)
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Ecosystem
Ecosystem services
Sustainable development
Defining nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions that protect, sustainably manage and/or restore ecosystems, while simultaneously contributing to the achievement of the sustainable development goals, including climate adaptation and mitigation, food security, water security, disaster risk reduction, and livelihoods, among others. While exact definitions of nature-based solutions may vary, all of them capture the complexity of NBS and the value they provide. Many of the organizations that advocate for NBS have stressed the importance of nature-based solutions for climate to encourage decision makers to invest in NBS as a key strategy to achieve their national climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development commitments.
Nature-based solutions: Why now?
Climate change and biodiversity loss result in profound societal and economic risks. The last decade has seen unprecedented levels of water and food crises, natural disasters, interstate conflict, social instability, involuntary migration, and many other threats to the planet. We are fast approaching critical climate tipping points. Click the images below to learn more.
The Future
Today
Nature-based solutions: Why now?
Nature Now
Watch the video to the right on climate action with youth climate activist, Greta Thunberg, and climate scientist, George Monbiot.
Principles of nature-based solutions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has defined the principles that underpin nature-based solutions. According to IUCN, nature-based solutions:
embrace nature conservation norms (and principles)
are determined by site specific natural and cultural contexts that include traditional, local, and scientific knowledge
maintain biological and cultural diversity and the ability of ecosystems to evolve over time
can be implemented alone or in an integrated manner with other societal challenges
produce societal benefits in a fair and equitable way, in a manner that promotes transparency and broad participation
are applied at the scale at a landscape
recognize 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 ecosystem services
are an integral part of the overall design of policies, and measures or actions, to address a specific challenge
Nature-based solutions criteria
With global recognition of nature-based solutions as a powerful tool in combating climate change and biodiversity loss it is important to be clear about what actions do not meet the criteria of a nature-based solution. The criteria includes cutting emissions, conserving and protecting ecosystems, along with being socially and ecologically responsible. There are risks when attempts at implementing nature-based solutions do not follow these criteria.
+info
SDGs with targets that depend on nature
There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and roughly half of their 169 targets are dependent upon, or indivisible from nature for their achievement. The following SDGs are dependent on nature:
Categories of nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions represent a wide range of ecosystem-related approaches to address many societal issues. The following is one typology, developed by BiodivERsA ERA-NET, that categorizes NBS interventions by the level of engineering of biodiversity and ecosystems involved and the level of enhancement of ecosystem services achieved. Click on each type to learn more.
Type 1: Use of natural ecosystems
Type 2: Managed or restored ecosystems
Type 3: Creation of new ecosystems
Nature-based solutions as a three-part equation
Nature-based solutions mean taking action (ex. protect, manage, restore, connect) with nature (ex. specific ecosystem, element of biodiversity) to solve a problem (ex. food security, water security, etc.). Nature-based solutions can deliver approximately a third of the cost-effective CO2 mitigation needed through 2030 while supporting more productive and resilient communities with social, economic and environmental returns. Many NBS lead to the achievement of multiple SDG outcomes. To help identify how nature-based solutions can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, we recommend assessing them as the following three-part equation.
SDG Outcome
Nature Element
Action
+info
Nature-friendly solutions as a three-part equation
Nature-friendly solutions are any product, service, or action that reduces pressure on biodiversity. To help identify how nature-friendly solutions can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, we recommend assessing them as the following three-part equation.
SDG Outcome
Human Element
Action
+info
Societal challenges and nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions offer many approaches to solving major global societal challenges through a range of effective and adaptive uses of natural or modified ecosystems and ecosystems services. They go beyond only addressing environmental challenges and apply to a wide variety of sectors. Therefore, many NBS impact multiple societal issues. Click on the buttons on the bottom right of each image to navigate to that page.
NBS for Livelihoods
NBS for Climate Action
NBS for Food Security
NBS for Disaster Management
NBS for Water Security
NBS for Human Health
NBS for livelihoods
Nature-based solutions can act as a safety net for the three billion people who depend on nature for their livelihoods through agriculture, forestry, fisheries and ecotourism. Click on the images below to learn more.
Examples
Facts
Return
NBS for climate action
Nature-based solutions can help address the climate crisis by sequestering carbon and other greenhouse gases. Click on the images below to learn more.
Facts
Examples
Return
NBS for food security
Nature-based solutions can enhance food security through direct subsistence and improved income opportunities. Click on the images below to learn more.
Examples
Facts
Return
NBS for water security
Nature-based solutions yield a wide variety of benefits for water-related services and are essential for achieving water security. Click on the images below to learn more.
Facts
Examples
Return
NBS for disaster management
Nature-based solutions are essential for mitigating the risk of natural disasters. Click on the images below to learn more.
Facts
Examples
Return
NBS for human health
Nature-based solutions can increase biodiversity and provide humans with medicine and nutrients crucial to their health. Click on the images below to learn more.
Examples
Facts
Congratulations on completing the lesson "Introduction to nature-based solutions"!
This lesson defined nature-based solutions and explored how they contribute to addressing planetary emergencies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It laid the foundation for you to dive deeper into nature-based solutions that will be discussed in the forthcoming micro-course "Nature-based solutions for sustainable development." Stay tuned for the launch of the micro-course!
Additional resources
IUCN -Nature-based Solutions to address global societal challenges
World Economic Forum- Nature Risk Rising
UN - Forests, desertification and biodiversity
WWF- Enhancing NDCs through Nature-Based Solutions
Stockholm Resilience Centre - "Planetary Boundaries - an update"
UNDP - Pathway for Increasing Nature-Based Solutions in NDCs
OECD - Environmental Outlook to 2050: The Consequences of Inaction
PNAS - Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood
10
Rainforest Alliance - Deforestation and Pandemics
11
WRI - Nature is An Economic Winner for COVID-19 Recovery
UNDP - Progress on the New York Declaration on Forests: Finance for Forests - Goals 8 and 9 Assessment Report
References
IUCN - Nature-based solutions
UNDP - VIDEO: Leaders of industry and community call for nature-based solutions Infographic: Nature-based solutions for development
UNDP - Earth Day Nature for Life
UNEP - Decade of Ecosystem Restoration
IPBES - Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services