Nature-Based Solutions for Adaptation

This fact sheet defines Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for adaptation—also referred to as ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR)—as actions to manage natural ecosystems to increase the resilience of people and ecosystems against climate change impacts.

• Nature-Based Solutions for adaptation are defined as actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use, and manage natural ecosystems to improve the resilience of communities and ecosystems against climate change impacts. These actions are specifically designed to manage current and future climate risks and are intended to complement hybrid or traditionally engineered adaptation solutions.
• Effective NbS for adaptation must be grounded in participatory assessments of how climate change affects different people and ecosystems. The process involves four steps: initiating the process and designing methodology, understanding climate, biodiversity, community, gender, and conflict contexts, analyzing risks to people and ecosystems, and identifying adaptation options.
• NbS for adaptation provide distinct benefits for both ecosystems and communities. For ecosystems, benefits include increased species diversity, enhanced functioning and services, and greater resilience to climatic changes. For communities, benefits include water and food security, sustainable alternative livelihoods such as ecotourism, and increased resilience to climate hazards, especially for those most vulnerable under current socio-political systems.
• The document provides specific examples of NbS actions across different ecosystem types: river basin management for water resource sustainability and drought resilience; coral reef restoration to protect coastal communities from flooding and intense waves; establishing forest reserves to protect against storms; and protecting grasslands to address water insecurity and protect groundwater recharge.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2024). Nature-Based Solutions for Adaptation. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-05/capa-nbs-climate-adaptation-infographic.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Nature-Based Solutions for Adaptation. 2024. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-05/capa-nbs-climate-adaptation-infographic.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Nature-Based Solutions for Adaptation |date=2024 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-05/capa-nbs-climate-adaptation-infographic.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2024naturebased, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Nature-Based Solutions for Adaptation}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2024}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-05/capa-nbs-climate-adaptation-infographic.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }