Nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions are actions that protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural or modified ecosystems while addressing societal challenges effectively and adaptively. Credible solutions are designed to deliver both human well-being and biodiversity benefits, consider ecological and social trade-offs, and use evidence and adaptive management rather than relying on nature-themed branding alone.
In simple terms
Nature-based solutions can address challenges such as climate adaptation, disaster risk, water security, food security, health, or biodiversity loss. The intervention must work through ecosystems and produce benefits for both people and biodiversity. IUCN publishes a versioned Global Standard with criteria covering scale, ecological integrity, economic feasibility, inclusive governance, trade-offs, adaptive management, and mainstreaming. An assessment or claim should identify the edition used. Planting vegetation is therefore not automatically a nature-based solution if the design damages native biodiversity or excludes affected communities.
Why it matters
Well-designed nature-based solutions can meet several needs through one intervention and protect each ecosystem on which communities depend. Reforestation may be one approach, but poorly designed projects can displace impacts, introduce unsuitable species, ignore rights, or promise climate benefits without durability. A clear standard helps decision-makers distinguish an integrated ecological solution from a conventional project with a green feature.
Example
For example, restoring a floodplain can reduce downstream flood peaks, reconnect habitat, improve water quality, and create public space. The project qualifies through its design and measured outcomes, stakeholder participation, safeguards, and adaptive management, not simply because it includes trees or wetland plants.
How it differs
Nature positive
Nature-based solutions are specific ecosystem-centered interventions; nature positive is the broader global goal of halting and reversing nature loss.