The Potential for Nature-Based Solutions Initiatives to Incorporate and Scale Climate Adaptation

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are approaches to reverse natural resource degradation and biodiversity loss in a way that also promotes sustainable development. In addition to the inherent restoration and climate mitigation benefits of these solutions, NBS have immense potential to advance climate adaptation. These solutions can protect people and nature from both shorter-term climate hazards such as extreme heat days and longer-term threats like sea level rise and desertification, thereby protecting livelihoods and human well-being, and helping societies better adapt to the changing climate.

Many existing NBS initiatives can become even more impactful by incorporating adaptation. This paper identifies key opportunities for NBS initiatives to contribute to adaptation outcomes. This can happen in a number of ways, such as through better coordination among initiatives to leverage their strengths to accelerate adaptation efforts and investments in NBS for adaptation pilots to open the door for larger initiatives.

Stefanie Tye, John-Rob Pool, Luciana Gallardo Lomeli