A Sustainable Asset Valuation Assessment of Nature-Based Solutions in the Dechatu River Catchment in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

The Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) assessment of the SUNCASA initiative in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, finds that nature-based solutions (NbS) such as afforestation and urban tree planting provide a return of USD 1.36 in benefits for every USD 1 invested over 25 years. Key economic benefits include USD 1.35 million in avoided flood damage to infrastructure and USD 930,000 in savings from climate-related health expenses. Environmentally, the interventions are projected to store up to 175,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and create nearly 7,000 jobs by 2050, enhancing the city's resilience to floods, droughts, and heat.

• Nature-based solutions (NbS) in Dire Dawa provide a positive economic return, generating USD 1.36 in benefits for every USD 1 invested over a 25-year period.
• The most significant economic benefits from restoring the Dechatu River catchment are the avoidance of USD 1.35 million in flood damage to infrastructure and USD 930,000 in savings regarding climate-related health costs.
• The NbS interventions contribute to climate mitigation and local employment, with the potential to store up to 175,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and create nearly 7,000 jobs by 2050.
• The SUNCASA initiative employs specific NbS strategies to combat flash floods, soil erosion, and water scarcity, including afforestation, agroforestry, riparian buffer restoration, and urban tree planting.

APA

Kapetanakis,, M. (2025). A Sustainable Asset Valuation Assessment of Nature-Based Solutions in the Dechatu River Catchment in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-solutions-dire-dawa

Chicago

Kapetanakis,, Michail. A Sustainable Asset Valuation Assessment of Nature-Based Solutions in the Dechatu River Catchment in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2025. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-solutions-dire-dawa.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kapetanakis, |first1=Michail |title=A Sustainable Asset Valuation Assessment of Nature-Based Solutions in the Dechatu River Catchment in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=20 November 2025 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-solutions-dire-dawa |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kapetanakis2025sustainable, author = {Kapetanakis,, Michail}, title = {{A Sustainable Asset Valuation Assessment of Nature-Based Solutions in the Dechatu River Catchment in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2025}, month = nov, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-solutions-dire-dawa}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }