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This report provides a roadmap with five strategic recommendations for federal agencies to unlock the potential of nature-based solutions and highlights bold Executive Office of the President of the United States actions designed to pave the way. Importantly, these recommendations position the United States to prioritize nature-based solutions as go-to options in fighting climate change, nature loss and inequities:
1. Update Policies: Agencies should update federal policies and guidance to make it easier to consider and use nature-based solutions. Key opportunities include updating permitting processes or agency review methods. For example, general permits and programmatic reviews have ensured efficient agency review of many types of infrastructure and are ripe for expansion for implementing nature-based solutions. Likewise, updating benefit cost and accounting guidance will make the economic benefits of investing in nature-based solutions more visible on the nation’s balance sheets and in regulatory and funding decisions. Natural hazard reduction standards, insurance standards, guidance, and risk management tools should be established or updated to pave the way for nature-based solutions, such as restoring rivers and their floodplains. Discretionary cost-share requirements that unnecessarily constrain the use of nature-based solutions can be reduced or removed, particularly for underserved communities. The Inflation Reduction Act enables some federal departments to change cost-share requirements. Using this 8 Opportunities to Accelerate Nature-Based Solutions approach to its fullest extent will help address some historic injustices and ensure that climate benefits reach the communities that need them most.
2. Unlock Funding: Federal agencies can rapidly reduce emissions and promote community resilience by integrating nature-based solutions into financial assistance and incentive programs. Taking early action, the Biden-Harris Administration is guiding agencies to use infrastructure funding to support nature-based solutions. There are key opportunities in the multibillion-dollar investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act for resilient housing, roads, and communities. Agencies can also simplify access to existing funds by increasing coordination and streamlining application processes. Focusing these efforts on historically underserved communities can improve equity and help ensure the communities at greatest risk can access these funds. Coordinated funding could be oriented around geographies or climate risks, like drought, flooding, wildfire, and urban heat. These issues often need to be addressed at larger scales for greatest effect. Private sector investment is also critical and can be catalyzed through innovation challenges and emerging finance models.
3. Lead with Federal Facilities and Assets: Federal agencies have begun focused efforts to improve resilience in their facilities, operations, and programs. This is only the start. Agencies can do more by expanding green stormwater infrastructure, green roofs, living shorelines, and other nature-based solutions. Federal facilities standards should require use of nature-based solutions, where appropriate. And standards should be updated as knowledge about nature-based solutions evolves. Agencies with large land holdings can include nature-based solutions in their planning and management, and where appropriate, engage in co-stewardship and co-management with Tribal Nations to right injustices and build resilience. Doing so could store more carbon and shield neighboring communities from climate impacts and natural hazard risks. Federal leadership will help raise private sector confidence in nature-based solutions. It will also expand the workforce and create a successful model for others to follow.
4. Train the Workforce: The next wave of good jobs can come from training an equitable, nature-based solutions workforce. Key skills are needed in planning, designing, building, and maintaining nature-based solutions. In particular, more skilled workers are needed in community planning, law, finance, ecology, engineering and maintenance aspects of nature-based solutions. Agency programs can help develop these skills. For example, federal partnerships with labor, academic, and professional organizations can provide technical resources for the current workforce, and support development of nature-based solution job and design standards. The seeds of the future nature-based solutions workforce also need to be planted through science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education. Federal staff capacities also need strengthening. Agencies can share experiences and build skills for implementing and evaluating nature-based solutions.
5. Prioritize Research, Innovation, Knowledge, and Adaptive Learning: As the world changes, we must innovate and fill gaps in our understanding of nature-based solutions and when to use them. Federal agencies can review existing research to identify gaps in understanding the effectiveness of nature-based solutions. Agencies should also develop interagency best practices for monitoring the full suite of benefits from nature-based solutions, including how best to measure and verify climate benefits. Improved adaptive 5. Prioritize Research, Innovation, Knowledge, and Adaptive Learning: As the world changes, we must innovate and fill gaps in our understanding of nature-based solutions and when to use them. Federal agencies can review existing research to identify gaps in understanding the effectiveness of nature-based solutions. Agencies should also develop interagency best practices for monitoring the full suite of benefits from nature-based solutions, including how best to measure and verify climate benefits. Improved adaptive.