How Natural Solutions Are Tackling Our Biggest Environmental Challenges
Imagine a tool that can simultaneously fight climate change, boost biodiversity, and protect our cities from natural disasters. This isn't futuristic technology—it's nature itself. As our planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges, from rising temperatures to catastrophic biodiversity loss, scientists are turning to a powerful ally: natural ecosystems. The very systems we've been degrading for centuries may hold the key to our survival.
Above pre-industrial levels in 2024, the hottest year in history 1
Decline in wildlife populations since 1970 1
Plastic entering oceans annually 1
Against this grim backdrop, a revolutionary approach is gaining traction—one that doesn't fight nature but collaborates with it. Welcome to the world of Nature-based Solutions, where environmental challenges become opportunities for regeneration.
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are defined as actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits 6 .
In simpler terms, NbS work with nature to solve human problems, rather than against it.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has identified seven major societal challenges that NbS can address 6 :
Natural ecosystems are unparalleled carbon management systems. Forests, oceans, wetlands, and even grasslands absorb and store massive amounts of carbon dioxide. The potential is staggering—globally, NbS can provide as much as one-third of the emission reductions needed by 2030 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change 5 .
Tropical forests alone store massive amounts of carbon, and their protection represents one of the most scientifically robust NbS pathways 2 .
Mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses sequester carbon at rates up to four times higher than terrestrial forests 2 .
Improved farming practices can enhance soil carbon storage while reducing emissions 3 .
These ecosystems are carbon powerhouses while also providing flood protection and water filtration.
The beauty of these solutions lies in their co-benefits. Unlike technological approaches that often solve one problem while creating others, NbS typically generate multiple advantages—what scientists call "co-benefits."
How do we know Nature-based Solutions actually work? In 2023, researchers conducted a comprehensive global analysis of NbS case studies to answer this exact question .
Their methodology was systematic and extensive:
The findings from this global analysis were revealing, showing both the promise and challenges of NbS implementation worldwide .
The geographical distribution revealed significant imbalances—approximately 60% of case studies were situated in Europe, with the rest of the world poorly represented .
| Intervention Type | Percentage | Primary Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Green Solutions | 33% | Urban parks, reforestation, sustainable agriculture |
| Hybrid Approaches | 31% | Green roofs with water management, engineered wetlands |
| Mixed Methods | 27% | Watershed management combining multiple approaches |
| Blue Solutions | 10% | Mangrove restoration, coral reef protection |
Improved biodiversity, air/water quality, carbon storage
Job creation, reduced infrastructure costs, increased property values
These findings powerfully demonstrate that NbS are not merely ecological interventions but multi-functional solutions that address the interconnected challenges of our time.
Implementing effective Nature-based Solutions requires both ecological understanding and practical tools. Researchers and practitioners rely on a diverse toolkit to design, implement, and monitor NbS projects:
Comprehensive databases of local plants and animals ensure that restoration efforts use appropriate species that will thrive and support local ecosystems.
Specialized equipment and methodologies allow scientists to quantify carbon sequestration in different ecosystems 2 .
Computer models that simulate water movement through landscapes help design NbS for flood control, water purification, and drought resilience.
Drones and satellites equipped with multispectral sensors track changes in vegetation health, ecosystem extent, and land use over time.
Structured approaches for involving local communities and Indigenous peoples in NbS planning and implementation 5 .
Methods for evaluating existing regulations and identifying opportunities to align governmental policies with NbS goals .
The evidence is clear: Nature-based Solutions represent one of our most powerful tools for addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and human wellbeing. From the massive carbon storage potential of forests to the protective power of coastal wetlands, ecosystems offer sophisticated, time-tested systems for maintaining planetary health.
"We cannot afford to lower our climate, environment and sustainability ambitions. Our state of environment report... clearly sets out the science-based knowledge and demonstrates why we need to act" 9 .
The challenges before us are undeniably daunting. With continued habitat loss, rising temperatures, and an increasingly unstable climate, the need for effective solutions has never been greater. Yet the growing body of evidence—including hundreds of successful case studies worldwide—offers hope that by working with nature rather than against it, we can build a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable future.
What makes Nature-based Solutions particularly compelling is their accessibility. While large-scale policy changes and international agreements are crucial, NbS can also be implemented at local levels—from community-led urban greening projects to farmer-led soil conservation efforts. As the research shows, when we invest in nature, the returns extend far beyond the initial investment, creating cascading benefits for people, the economy, and the planet we all share.