Élucider les solutions climatiques basées sur la nature pour l’adaptation

The document defines the conceptual landscape of nature-based solutions, distinguishing between general NbS, climate-specific NbCS, and adaptation-focused EbA. It argues that for these solutions to be effective and legitimate, they must be grounded in risk assessments and incorporate robust social and environmental safeguards to prevent rights violations, the commodification of nature, and ecological harm. The brief highlights the importance of three pillars—gender responsiveness, social inclusion, and biodiversity benefits—and provides global case studies demonstrating the application of EbA across various ecosystems.

• The document establishes a conceptual hierarchy where Nature-based Solutions (NbS) serve as a generic term for measures protecting, conserving, and restoring ecosystems to address social, economic, and environmental problems. Nature-based Climate Solutions (NbCS) are a subset of NbS focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation, while Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) is a specific type of NbCS focused primarily on helping society adapt to climate impacts.
• To be classified as NbCS for adaptation or EbA, initiatives must meet four specific criteria: they must be oriented toward managing current and future climate risks and ecological resilience; target specific groups and livelihoods based on risk or vulnerability assessments; integrate ecosystem processes; and consider local environmental, economic, social, and cultural contexts.
• There are significant critiques of NbS, including the risk of human rights violations, lack of free, prior and informed consent, and the potential for the 'commodification of nature.' The document notes that past initiatives like REDD+ have faced criticism for negative impacts on vulnerable groups in areas with poor governance. Additionally, there is a risk of 'ecological whitewashing,' where the private sector uses NbS to offset damage without reducing actual emissions.
• Effective NbCS require robust social and environmental safeguards to avoid unintended consequences. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted voluntary guidelines in 2018 that include safeguards such as preventing the transfer of risks, ensuring full and inclusive participation, and respecting the rights of indigenous and local communities.
• The document identifies three essential pillars for the legitimacy and effectiveness of NbCS: gender responsiveness (promoting gender equality), social inclusion (integrating good governance, equity, and indigenous knowledge), and biodiversity benefits (increasing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience).
• Practical applications of EbA demonstrate measurable co-benefits across diverse ecosystems. Examples include: in Mongolia, restoring 10 ha of wetlands to maintain water security; in Ecuador, climate-smart cocoa and livestock management that increased productivity by over 12%; in Russia, restoring 35,000 ha of peatlands to reduce CO2 emissions by 175,000 to 220,000 tonnes annually; and in the Seychelles, increasing coral cover from 2% to 16%.

APA

Lo, V., Qi, J., & Jang, N. (2022). Élucider les solutions climatiques basées sur la nature pour l’adaptation. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-07/elucider-solutions-basees-nature-pour-adaptation.pdf

Chicago

Lo, Veronica, Jeffrey Qi, and Nicole Jang. Élucider les solutions climatiques basées sur la nature pour l’adaptation. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2022. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-07/elucider-solutions-basees-nature-pour-adaptation.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lo |first1=Veronica |last2=Qi |first2=Jeffrey |last3=Jang |first3=Nicole |title=Élucider les solutions climatiques basées sur la nature pour l’adaptation |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=June 2022 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-07/elucider-solutions-basees-nature-pour-adaptation.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lo2022lucider, author = {Lo, Veronica and Qi, Jeffrey and Jang, Nicole}, title = {{Élucider les solutions climatiques basées sur la nature pour l’adaptation}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2022}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-07/elucider-solutions-basees-nature-pour-adaptation.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }