Why Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are gaining ground, and what it means for Africa

By Harsheenee Aujayeb, General Manager, ESG Intellis Solutions Ltd

What is NbS?

The term “Nature-based Solutions” (NbS) was coined in the early 2000s. It was first introduced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) during discussions on sustainable development and environmental conservation. 

The concept gained further traction and formal recognition in subsequent years, particularly through various environmental policies and frameworks developed by organisations such as the European Commission and the United Nations.

In a nutshell, NbS are solutions that take a holistic approach and consider both nature and society. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are innovative strategies that utilise natural processes and ecosystems to address societal challenges such as climate change, food and water security, and disaster risk management. These solutions aim to benefit both human well-being and biodiversity, ensuring a balanced relationship between nature and human activities. 

By leveraging the inherent strengths of natural systems, NbS provide cost-effective, sustainable, and resilient alternatives to traditional infrastructure and technology-based approaches.

Why does Africa need NbS?

Globally, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) finds that there is an over 50% chance that temperature rise will reach or surpass 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) between 2021 and 2040 across studied scenarios, and, under a high-emissions pathway, the world may even hit this threshold between 2018 and 2037. 

This makes NbS an even more pressing mandate for both public and private sectors to adopt. Indeed, research shows that NbS can provide around 30% of cost-effective mitigation needed by 2030 to stabilise warming to below 2^oC along with providing a powerful defence against the impacts and long-term hazards of climate change. 

Every continent in the world is facing various environmental challenges that will lead to many issues in the future. The African continent is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, desertification, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, pollution, and food insecurity, among others. 

Addressing these environmental challenges requires concerted efforts at local, national, and global levels, with a focus on sustainable practices, conservation, and community engagement.

By embracing Nature-based Solutions, Africa can simultaneously address environmental challenges, enhance socio-economic resilience, and pave the way for a sustainable future.

What are the key components of NbS?

The IUCN notes that NbS address societal challenges through actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems, benefitting people and nature at the same time.

Moving on, the IUCN Global Standard for NbS outlines the following key components that ensure their effective and sustainable implementation:

1. Societal Challenges: NbS must address specific societal challenges such as climate change, disaster risk, water security, and food security.
2. Design and Scale: Solutions should be designed at the appropriate scale, ensuring they are adaptable and applicable to the specific context.
3. Biodiversity Benefits: NbS should enhance biodiversity and support ecosystem health.
4. Economic Viability: Solutions must be economically viable and financially sustainable.
5. Inclusive Governance: Effective governance structures should include the participation of all relevant stakeholders, especially local communities and indigenous peoples.
6. Balance of Trade-offs: NbS should balance trade-offs to ensure long-term sustainability and avoid adverse impacts.
7. Adaptive Management: Implementation should include adaptive management practices to respond to changing conditions and new information.
8. Mainstreaming and Sustainability: NbS should be integrated into broader policy and planning frameworks for long-term sustainability.

These components ensure that NbS are holistic, inclusive, and capable of providing lasting benefits for both nature and society.

What are some of the hurdles that NbS can come up against?

At the same time, implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can pose multiple challenges, such as:

1. Scalability: Implementing NbS at a large scale can be challenging due to varying local conditions and complexities.
2. Funding and Investment: Securing consistent and adequate funding for NbS projects can be difficult.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation: Measuring the effectiveness of NbS requires robust monitoring systems, which can be resource intensive.
4. Governance: Effective governance and stakeholder engagement are crucial but can be complex to manage.
5. Trade-offs and Conflicts: Balancing environmental, social, and economic goals can lead to trade-offs and conflicts among stakeholders.

In view of the challenges above, here is what we at ESG Intellis recommend for corporates:

1. Investigate use of NbS, where feasible;

2. Train people to understand the concept of NbS;

3. Promote awareness of NbS;

4. Do not look at Return on Investment (RoI) from a purely financial perspective, but also include benefits for nature and people as well;

5. Include nature at the level of decision making.

NbS: A promising pathway to a sustainable future

Despite challenges such as scalability, funding, and governance, the benefits of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) far outweigh the obstacles in the way of their implementation. Embracing NbS not only helps mitigate environmental issues but also enhances human well-being, making it an essential strategy for a sustainable future.

Ultimately, NbS offer a promising pathway towards sustainable development by leveraging the power of ecosystems to address critical societal challenges such as climate change, water security, and biodiversity loss. By integrating NbS into policy and planning, we can create resilient communities and healthier environments. 

Let’s empower companies and communities to use NbS to solve global, regional and local challenges!