The IUCN developed a Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in 2020. Can you tell me a bit about the origins of the standard? Why is a global standard needed?

At the 2016 World Conservation Congress and members’ assembly, IUCN's members adopted a resolution (WCC-2016-Res-069) which, for the first time, defined the use of nature for simultaneous benefits to biodiversity and human well-being. According to the resolution, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are “actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.”

Increased demand for NbS has led to cases of misuse of the concept, resulting, in some cases, in risks of damaging biodiversity and eroding the nature that we depend upon. Similarly, weak or incorrect labelling of NbS can dilute the case for the NbS approach and result in unintended negative consequences.

The aim of the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions^TM is therefore to safeguard people and nature, thus bringing about positive sustainable change through a common language and framework. The Global Standard is a practical tool for ensuring the quality and credibility of NbS, securing their effectiveness to provide benefits for both human well-being and biodiversity. It was adopted by the IUCN Council in February 2020 and launched in July 2020 as an evolving framework – as a key conservation and development tool - to be monitored and revised accordingly.

Why is working with nature important?

Nature is a source of life. We need to not only work with nature, but for nature, as it suffers and endures increasing strain. The over-exploitation of our resources and pollution of air and water through human activities has led to serious consequences for biodiversity and people; we are facing a triple planetary crisis.

Nature-based solutions have been gaining recent attention as an effective means of addressing global challenges, while harnessing the power of nature. By working with and for nature, we can create opportunities to address related crises and accelerate the recovery of nature.

As the Nature4Climate Coalition Lead, James Lloyd, said in an October article, “nature-based solutions must always be ‘as well as’, never ‘instead of’, deep emissions cuts.” Additionally, “nature-based solutions must always be of a high quality, ensuring that they are also good for biodiversity and people as well as climate.”

What are some of the benefits of natural infrastructure?

Natural infrastructure provides ecosystem services that are similar to those provided by built or conventional infrastructure approaches. The composition, structure, and function of natural infrastructure, as well as the way it interplays with built infrastructure, determines the primary services and co-benefits produced, and can be designed based on the local context and site-specific needs.

Natural infrastructure has the capacity to provide erosion control, improved water infiltration and retention, coastal protection, flood risk reduction, and clean water, among other services. It can require fewer material inputs and lower costs than conventional methods, while also being more sustainable; where appropriate, natural infrastructure can be combined into ‘green-gray’ infrastructure to develop comprehensive, robust and cost-effective solutions.

Traditional, technology-based approaches to many issues impacting our communities are still widely used. What’s standing in the way of further uptake of NbS? What arguments would you make to convince decision-makers and land use planners to implement NbS?

Conventional infrastructure and technology-based approaches play an important role in addressing societal challenges, but NbS or hybrid solutions are often more sustainable, durable, effective, and cost-effective. NbS can make critical contributions to climate change mitigation and adaptation, while also supporting biodiversity conservation, health, poverty eradication, and other societal objectives agreed to under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). NbS also provide a myriad of other co-benefits through ecosystem services and can contribute to climate justice.

The lack of robust evidence and data about the role of natural assets in underpinning resilience inhibits uptake of integrated adaptation approaches. In addition, real and perceived risks restrict access to finance for applying and scaling up nature-based solutions, such as short- versus long-term impacts of NbS, as well as uncertainties about how climate change and other factors will impact ecosystems over the coming decades.

We need to build upon the existing evidence base for NbS and communicate it to decision- and policymakers, and donors and investors across the public and private sectors. Climate and other financing must be mobilised to support adaptation and resilience efforts through NbS. Meanwhile, NbS need to be mainstreamed in policy and regulatory frameworks – including national action plans (NAPs), nationally determined contributions (NDCs), national development strategies, and local regulations – to facilitate their implementation and uptake.

Are NbS scalable? For example, can governments working at the local levels support NbS?

Nature-based Solutions are both horizontally and vertically scalable, however, it’s essential to have a facilitative framework to increase the scale and impact of the NbS approach. This will be critical in preventing unanticipated negative outcomes or misuse, and helping funding agencies, policy makers and other stakeholders assess the effectiveness of interventions.

The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based SolutionsTM enables everyone to consistently and reliably design, verify and scale-up NbS. Scale applies not only to the biophysical or geographic perspective, but also to the influence of economic systems, policy frameworks and the importance of cultural perspectives. That is why the true potential of NbS is realised through their long-term implementation at scale, from local to global. Embedding the concept and actions into policy or regulatory frameworks, as well as linking to national targets or international commitments, can enable this, as promoted by Criterion 8 of the Global Standard: NbS are sustainable and mainstreamed within an appropriate jurisdictional context.

The work of local governments and their support in delivering locally-led NbS are key to success in tackling multiple challenges and in boosting and leading change at higher levels. A great example is the Ecosystems Protecting Infrastructure and Communities project; the successful work at the local level was a clear demonstration of the important role of NbS. Ecosystem-based for Disaster Risk Reduction, which falls under the umbrella of NbS, was integrated into the National Strategic Framework for Nature Conservation (2015-2030).

How can business contribute to nature-based solutions? What about individuals?

As large users of natural resources, the private sector has disproportionate impacts and dependencies on natural capital and has a critical role to play in addressing many environmental, social, and economic challenges faced today. It's time for a rethink of our relationship with nature. It is time for companies to make commitments and contributions in reversing the alarming state of nature and climate, through investments in nature and sustainable solutions.

The Global Standard was developed to guide users, including businesses, to ensure that the actions put in place today bring about the desired benefits for society and biodiversity and avoid misuse. As Stewart Maginnis, the Global Director of the Nature-based Solutions Group, said, “the Global Standard should be a facilitating tool. It is set up as a self-assessment. Over time, there may be demands from companies and governments for stronger verification, but this is an immediate channel to harness the enthusiasm. We need to be very clear: NbS cannot be a smokescreen or a greenwash.”

IUCN developed a collaborative certification scheme, which will be launched in 2022. Business entities interested in obtaining certification of their NbS intervention, developed in accordance with the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based SolutionsTM, will be able to apply for certification through one of several existing sustainability certification schemes recognised by IUCN. Upon obtaining certification, they will then be able to use IUCN’s NbS logo in addition to the relevant third-party certification scheme’s logo.

COVID-19 has made it clear that human health and wellbeing depends on a healthy planet. Is post-pandemic recovery an opportunity for NbS?

Nature is a source of economic prosperity for many countries, especially those that rely heavily upon it for resources and production. Investment in nature can create jobs, aid economic recovery, bring economic benefits for society, and support nature-based solutions to SDGs. Additionally, nature increases the resilience of countries to climate change, helps reduce the risk of disasters, protects human health, and improves water and food security. Integrating the environmental dimensions of the One Health approach will further improve communities’ resilience, human health, and well-being outcomes.

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing us all to re-think the status quo, opening the door for sustained investments in nature and NbS to be part of the recovery. The time is now to invest in nature. Countries are responding to the economic impacts of COVID by allocating trillions of dollars to fiscal stimulus packages and beginning to develop longer-term economic recovery programs. Governments should ensure that investment to aid economic recovery does no additional harm to nature and livelihoods. A nature-based recovery will have immediate and long-term benefits for economic development and stability, community health and well-being, as well as climate change resilience and biodiversity conservation.

Our ambition for the IUCN Nature-based Recovery Initiative is to ensure that governments direct, at the very least, 10% of overall investments to nature, and that economic investment post-COVID does no additional harm to nature and livelihoods. Throughout 2021 and into 2022, IUCN will focus on interlinked and complementary areas to help governments invest in a green, nature-based post-COVID recovery.