Policy, finance, and capacity-building innovations for scaling nature-based solutions

Scolobig, A., Martin, J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2862-8540, Linnerooth-Bayer, J., Aguilera Rodriguez, J.J., & Fresolone-Caparrós, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7221-3337 (2025). Policy, finance, and capacity-building innovations for scaling nature-based solutions. In: Nature-Based Solutions in Supporting Sustainable Development Goals. Eds. Pan, H., Kalantari, Z., Ferreira, C., & Cong, C., pp. 129-151 Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-443-21782-1 10.1016/B978-0-443-21782-1.00002-6.

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Abstract

Reaching the ambitious United Nations goal of tripling investments in nature-based solutions (NbS) by 2030 will require mainstreaming NbS into local, regional, and national governance regimes, including regulatory and financial procedures, as well as into land use and spatial planning strategies. While ambition is growing, NbS implementation and scaling remain problematic. Lack of expertise and knowledge, limited evidence on effectiveness and co-benefits, stakeholder conflicts, and gray measure path dependency represent some formidable obstacles. To address these and other barriers to NbS implementation, we identify some key recommendations and suggest innovations to promote NbS upscaling. We build on the results of extensive stakeholder deliberations involving over 70 NbS experts and knowledgeable stakeholders at the national, European, and international scales over 4 years. The first recommendation is the promotion of mandatory policy instruments. This includes the enforcement of legally binding targets and the simplification of NbS approval procedures. Further, measures could include fostering policy synergies, for instance, by explicitly linking NbS policies to well-being and preventative health care policies. The second recommendation is unlocking public and private funding to enable NbS investments, merging complementary funding streams into single programs that prioritize NbS, and promoting innovative financing mechanisms, such as payment for ecosystem services. Divesting from nature-negative projects is as important as enabling NbS investments. The third recommendation is strengthening capacity building through the creation of NbS project preparation facilities, accelerator programs/mentoring, user-friendly benefit/co-benefit catalogs for the private sector, and the creation of communities of practice for NbS contractors with the public, academia, and civil society. Strengthening the knowledge base is also essential to building capacities. Key actions in this regard include increased monitoring to track short- and long-term impacts, stronger evidence on the effectiveness of NbS, and co-benefit evaluation. The development of formal standards, such as insurance regulations and improved tools to compare NbS, hybrid, and conventional solutions, will further contribute to a strong knowledge base. We hope that these recommendations and suggested innovations will contribute to fostering debate and supporting the uptake of NbS as key options in fighting climate change, biodiversity loss, and reducing disaster risk.

Item Type:	Book Section
Research Programs:	Biodiversity and Natural Resources (BNR) Biodiversity and Natural Resources (BNR) > Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation (BEC) Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) > Equity and Justice (EQU)
Depositing User:	Luke Kirwan
Date Deposited:	13 Jan 2025 10:04
Last Modified:	13 Jan 2025 10:04
URI:	https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/20339

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