Ensuring effective nature-based solutions

This issue brief understands Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as actions that restore and manage ecosystems to tackle challenges like climate change and disaster risk. It introduces a Global Standard to guide effective, scalable NbS projects.

Nature-based Solutions hold major promise but are often underutilized, poorly scaled, or misapplied, leading to unintended harm. The IUCN found that projects lacked coordination, integration into policy, and consideration of social and ecological dynamics. Issues like using non-native species or ignoring water use and sediment flow have led to failure. To address these gaps, the IUCN launched a Global Standard in 2020 with eight criteria to ensure NbS are effective, inclusive, and resilient.