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This policy brief clarifies the conceptual framework of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), specifically focusing on Nature-based Climate Solutions (NbCS) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) for climate change adaptation. It outlines the requirements for these solutions to be effective, provides practical examples across various ecosystems, and discusses the social and environmental safeguards necessary to prevent rights violations and biodiversity loss.

This guidance note from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) clarifies the conceptual framework of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), Nature-based Climate Solutions (NBCS), and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), with a specific focus on climate adaptation. It outlines the requirements for a project to be classified as NBCS for adaptation, provides practical examples across various ecosystems, and discusses the social and environmental safeguards necessary to prevent rights violations and ecological harm.

Natural Justice submitted comments on the draft Climate Change Bill (B9-2022) to the South African Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries on 27 May 2022. The organization argues that the Bill lacks the urgency required to address the climate crisis, fails to set ambitious emission reduction targets, and provides insufficient protections for constitutional rights and vulnerable communities.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the evolution and implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), emphasizing the shift from emergency response to proactive risk management. It highlights the critical role of integrating DRR with climate change adaptation and the use of nature-based solutions, such as wetlands, to mitigate the impacts of increasingly frequent and intense weather-related disasters.

This case study describes the efforts of the Galveston Bay Foundation to restore and protect wetland habitats in Galveston Bay, Texas, to combat sea level rise and storm surges. It highlights the use of nature-based infrastructure, such as breakwaters and marsh terraces, funded by federal and private grants, and discusses how these projects encourage private land conservation and the challenges of federal funding match requirements.

This briefing from the Stockholm Environment Institute outlines five principles designed to ensure that nature-based solutions (NbS) are just and equitable in their design, governance, and implementation, and provides a case study from Kenya to illustrate their application.

This report details a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) assessment of wastewater treatment infrastructure options for the Hartenbos estuary in South Africa, evaluating their impact on water quality, nutrient loads, and potential for agricultural water reuse.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the drivers of global forest loss, the evolution of international forest governance, and the role of private sector commitments and carbon markets in forest protection.

This SEI discussion brief argues that nature-based solutions (NbS) are often framed as apolitical, leading to the neglect of social equity and justice in their design and implementation. The document proposes five core principles to ensure NbS do not reproduce existing inequalities and provides a case study from Kaptembwa, Kenya, to illustrate the integration of these principles in an urban informal settlement.

This research paper explores the multi-dimensional challenges and pathways toward achieving sustainable urban development. It examines the historical evolution of global urban policy, the disparate needs between the Global North and Global South, the role of various governmental and non-governmental actors, and emerging trends such as nature-based solutions and inclusive planning.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines six strategic measures for G20 leaders to maximize the role of forests in climate mitigation, food security, and pandemic recovery. It specifically urges Indonesia, as the 2022 G20 president, to lead by example by strengthening its own forest governance and promoting high-quality nature-based carbon credits.

This case study describes the work of Nasreen Al-Amin and her non-profit organisation, Surge Africa, in implementing locally-led adaptation projects in Nigeria. It focuses on the Jeji Restoration project in Kano State, which combines landscape restoration with livelihood support for marginalised communities.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) advocates for an integrated approach to climate change by linking adaptation and mitigation planning and implementation. It argues that treating these two strategies in siloes is inefficient and can lead to counterproductive outcomes, proposing instead a coordinated framework to identify synergies and manage trade-offs to achieve sustainable development.

This issue brief by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines how U.S. ports are addressing climate change through mitigation strategies—such as electrification and renewable energy—and adaptation measures, including gray infrastructure and nature-based solutions, to protect operations and improve the health of near-port communities.

This policy brief by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines how U.S. ports are addressing climate change through mitigation strategies to reduce emissions and adaptation measures to increase resilience against sea level rise and extreme weather.

This report presents a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) assessment of planned reforestation and water retention wells in Indonesia's Brantas River basin, demonstrating that nature-based infrastructure is more cost-effective than traditional reservoirs and provides significant societal benefits.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) Strategic Plan 2022–2024 outlines a framework to address the intersection of human health and the ecological crisis. The plan focuses on six priority areas: transitioning to a wellbeing economy, reducing toxics, addressing the climate crisis, protecting nature, advancing equity and justice, and increasing organizational capacity.

This fact sheet, produced by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), synthesizes findings from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) specifically for Southern Africa. It details observed climate changes, future projections, and the resulting impacts on health, biodiversity, food systems, and economies, while outlining adaptation strategies and critical investment needs for the region.

The COP27 Resilience Hub Synthesis Report outlines the outcomes and key messages from the Resilience Hub at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh. The Hub serves as a physical and virtual space to mobilise ambition and investment for climate resilience, acting as the home for the UN-backed Race to Resilience campaign. The report synthesises findings across nine thematic areas and four regional hubs, emphasizing the need for locally-led adaptation, increased and diversified finance, and the integration of arts and culture into resilience strategies.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the integration of biodiversity and ecosystem protections into mining governance, focusing on the application of the mitigation hierarchy (MH) in Senegal and Turkey. It provides a framework for governments to develop national policies and institutional arrangements to ensure that mining activities result in no net loss (NNL) or a net positive impact (NPI) on biodiversity.