Nature-based Solutions (NbS)–What are They and What are the Barriers and Enablers to Their Use?

Resource type: 
Research
EU project stamp: 
No
Main entity: 
Institute of Development Studies
Type of entity: 
Research centre/University
Funding: 
UK
Key themes: 
Economic and social development
Ecosystem-based Adaptation
Governance
Policy
Sustainable development
Sustainable management
Sustainable use
Societal challenges: 
Biodiversity Enhancement
Climate Resilience
Food security
Green Space Management
Health
Health, Wellbeing & Air Quality
Natural and Climate Hazards
New Economic Opportunities & Green Jobs and Participatory Planning and Governance
Social Capacity Building for Sustainable Urban Transformation
Social Justice and Social Cohesion
Water Management
Scope: 
Global
Description: 

This rapid review examines literature around Nature-based Solutions (NbS), what are NbS, the pros and cons of NbS, design and implementation issues (including governance, indigenous knowledge), finance and the enabling environment. Considering this limited scope, this report highlights many issues, some of which are that Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of NbS, Pros of NbS include the low cost compared to infrastructure alternatives; the flexibility in addressing multiple climate challenges; potential co-benefits such as better water quality, improved health, cultural benefits, biodiversity conservation. The literature also notes the cons of NbS including slow adaptation or co-benefits, very context specific making effectiveness difficult to measure and many of the benefits are non-monetary and hard to measure. The literature consulted suggest a number of knowledge gaps in the evidence base for NbS effectiveness including lack of: robust and impartial assessments of current NbS experiences; site specific knowledge of field deployment of NbS; timescales over which benefits are seen and experienced; cost-effectiveness of interventions compared to or in conjunction with alternative solutions; and integrated assessments considering broader social and ecological outcomes

Date: 
2021
Language: 
EN