Tracking Progress on the Integration of Nature-Based Solutions and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation in National Adaptation Plan Processes

The report finds that while most NAPs recognize the importance of ecosystems and include EbA or NbS actions, there is a significant disconnect between climate adaptation planning and national biodiversity strategies. Most countries prioritize ecosystems linked to productive economic sectors, such as forests and fisheries, while urban and mountain ecosystems remain underrepresented.

• The terms "ecosystem-based adaptation" (EbA) or "nature-based solutions" (NbS) appear in 44 out of 57 reviewed NAP documents. EbA is currently more prominent, but NbS mentions are more frequent in documents published after 2021, indicating increased traction following the 2019 Climate Action Summit.
• Ecosystems, biodiversity, and the environment are identified as priority sectors in 49 out of 57 NAPs. "Biodiversity" (26 countries) and "ecosystems" (23 countries) are the most common terms used in these priority sector titles.
• Forest, marine and coastal, freshwater, and agricultural ecosystems are the most frequently identified as vulnerable in climate risk assessments. Conversely, desert ecosystems are mentioned in only two NAPs, and urban ecosystems in 11.
• There is a notable disconnect between climate and biodiversity planning: although all 57 reviewed countries are Parties to the CBD and have submitted a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), fewer than half (27 out of 57) reference their NBSAP within their NAP document.
• Most countries (49 out of 57) acknowledge the links between climate change and biodiversity loss, though the majority focus on how climate change drives biodiversity loss rather than the reciprocal synergies.
• Twenty-five out of 57 NAPs include ecosystem-based or environmentally friendly approaches as a guiding principle. Among Small Island Developing States (SIDS), seven out of 12 adopted such principles.
• All reviewed NAPs include at least one action related to the protection, conservation, restoration, sustainable use, or management of natural ecosystems. Sustainable management is the most common action type (52 NAPs), followed by restoration (48 NAPs) and conservation (40 NAPs).
• Climate-smart agriculture appears in 31 NAPs, while natural or green infrastructure—primarily focused on urban greening—is mentioned in 15 documents.

APA

Terton, A., Qi, J., & Jang, N. (2024). Tracking Progress on the Integration of Nature-Based Solutions and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation in National Adaptation Plan Processes. NAP Global Network. https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/napgn-en-2024-tracking-progress-nbs-eba-nap-processes.pdf

Chicago

Terton, Anika, Jeffrey Qi, and Nicole Jang. Tracking Progress on the Integration of Nature-Based Solutions and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation in National Adaptation Plan Processes. NAP Global Network, 2024. https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/napgn-en-2024-tracking-progress-nbs-eba-nap-processes.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Terton |first1=Anika |last2=Qi |first2=Jeffrey |last3=Jang |first3=Nicole |title=Tracking Progress on the Integration of Nature-Based Solutions and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation in National Adaptation Plan Processes |publisher=NAP Global Network |date=November 2024 |url=https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/napgn-en-2024-tracking-progress-nbs-eba-nap-processes.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{terton2024tracking, author = {Terton, Anika and Qi, Jeffrey and Jang, Nicole}, title = {{Tracking Progress on the Integration of Nature-Based Solutions and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation in National Adaptation Plan Processes}}, institution = {NAP Global Network}, year = {2024}, month = nov, url = {https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/napgn-en-2024-tracking-progress-nbs-eba-nap-processes.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }