Principles for just and equitable nature-based solutions

The briefing argues that nature-based solutions (NbS) are often framed as apolitical, leading to the neglect of social equity and justice. It proposes five core principles: ensuring inclusive and transparent processes, tackling root causes of marginalization, limiting the unjust redistribution of risks and costs, prioritizing at-risk communities, and using valuation tools that assess social and political change. These principles are illustrated through a case study in Kaptembwa, Nakuru, Kenya, where participatory planning is used to address flooding and lack of green space in a semi-informal settlement.

• Nature-based solutions (NbS) are frequently presented as apolitical or idealized, which often leads to the neglect of social equity and justice issues and the overlooking of trade-offs and unintended consequences.
• The document proposes five principles for just and equitable NbS: 1) inclusive and transparent design and governance; 2) addressing root causes of marginalization and inequality; 3) limiting economic and non-economic losses and avoiding unjust risk redistribution; 4) prioritizing the most at-risk places and communities; and 5) using valuation tools that measure social and political consequences.
• Risk redistribution in NbS can occur across four dimensions: geographic (e.g., upstream/downstream), jurisdictional (between sectors), social (benefiting some groups at the expense of others), and temporal/generational (ignoring future risks).
• In Kaptembwa, Nakuru, Kenya, a semi-informal settlement, residents face environmental challenges including flooding, pollution, and a lack of green spaces, which correlate with lower levels of well-being, particularly among women.
• Participatory planning in Kaptembwa identified the River Ndarugu as a potential site for NbS to manage stormwater and floods, while residents emphasized that such spaces must also support economic development and basic services like sewerage to be valuable.
• Implementing NbS in informal settlements is complicated by governance challenges, including uncertain land rights, lack of formal investment mechanisms, and the co-location of infrastructure like pipelines and electricity towers.

APA

Boyland, M., Tuhkanen, H., Green, J., & Barquet, K. (2022). Principles for just and equitable nature-based solutions. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/principles-for-just-and-equitable-nature-based-solutions.pdf

Chicago

Boyland, Michael, Heidi Tuhkanen, Jonathan Green, and Karina Barquet. Principles for just and equitable nature-based solutions. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2022. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/principles-for-just-and-equitable-nature-based-solutions.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Boyland |first1=Michael |last2=Tuhkanen |first2=Heidi |last3=Green |first3=Jonathan |last4=Barquet |first4=Karina |title=Principles for just and equitable nature-based solutions |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=May 2022 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/principles-for-just-and-equitable-nature-based-solutions.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{boyland2022principles, author = {Boyland, Michael and Tuhkanen, Heidi and Green, Jonathan and Barquet, Karina}, title = {{Principles for just and equitable nature-based solutions}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2022}, month = may, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/principles-for-just-and-equitable-nature-based-solutions.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }