About Nature-based Solutions

We work with the multilaterally agreed UNEA-5 definition of NbS, which was agreed in 2022 by more than 190 Member States. In a nutshell, NbS are actions that protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural or modified ecosystems, while addressing major societal challenges in ways that benefit both people and nature. NbS always:

• Provide biodiversity and ecosystem benefits
• Promote equity, well-being, and local engagement
• Tackle various societal challenges, such us:
  • Climate change adaptation and mitigation
  • Water management
  • Liveable cities
  • Food security
  • Health
  • Job creation
     

Nature-based Solutions are defined by the United Nations Environment Assembly as:

Actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, which address social, economic and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being, ecosystem services and resilience and biodiversity benefits.

Examples of NbS include restoring wetlands to reduce flood risk, planting urban trees and soil unsealing for cooling, managing water and health, or transforming agricultural practices to increased resilience. Also check the NbS Resources Hub and explore real-life examples in the NbS Case Study Database.