the case for nature-based solutions
Scientific research shows that nature restoration and conservation deliver real benefits for carbon mitigation, environmental restoration, and people around the world—leading to a world in balance.
Carbon & Climate Resilience
NATURE IS THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL CARBON SINK.
When it comes to solutions to climate change, there is no more time for an “either/or” debate. The conservation and restoration of nature must go hand in hand with rapid decarbonization
According to the UN Environment Programme (2021), the total mitigation potential of nature-based solutions is between 5 and 11.7 gigatons (billion tonnes) of CO2 equivalents per year.
This means that natural climate solutions for carbon can provide around 30% of the emissions reduction required to achieve the 1.5 degree target. [1]
Respira, an ethical carbon finance proponent in the UK, shows how nature-based carbon projects can cost-effectively remove carbon from the atmosphere while also critically halting emissions that would have occurred without protecting ecosystems. [2]
IT’S NOT AN EITHER / OR.
According to an article published in PNAS by scientists from around the world, “Given the magnitude of fossil fuel emissions reductions required under any <2 °C scenario, and the risk of relying heavily on negative emissions technologies (NETs) that remain decades from maturity, immediate action on NCS should not delay action on fossil fuel emissions reductions or investments in NETs.” [3]
reversing the loss of nature
in addition to climate change, the world is threatened by nature loss.
Deforestation, degraded soils, loss of topsoil, land, and sea pollution are just a few of the trends impacting a balanced global ecosystem on which the global economy relies.
Deforestation is increasing worldwide, yet few solutions are being deployed. Nature-based solutions provide an economical alternative.
In 2020, the world lost 4.2 million hectares of primary tropical forests. Destruction of primary tropical forests, the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems, released 2.64 billion tons of carbon, an amount equivalent to the annual emissions of 570 million cars. [4]
The environment provides services for the global economy, like food, materials, and energy. It also cleans the air and water and provides cultural services for billions of people.
A GLOBAL ECONOMY WITHOUT NATURE IS A HOUSE OF CARDS IN A STRONG WIND.
Various efforts have been made to quantify the value of ecosystem services.
For the world to meet its climate change, biodiversity, and land reclamation targets, UNEP’s 2021 State of Finance for Nature analysis states total investments of $8.1 trillion will be needed by 2050. This means an annual rate of $536 billion is needed, compared to the current $133 billion a year invested. [6]
Nature-based solutions are one of the leading strategies in recognizing and funding the true value of nature and its ecosystem services by providing financing for restoration and conservation.
Range in $USD per hectare. [5]
climate mitigation on a budget
The path toward a world within balance has a budget.
With unlimited financing, the world’s decision-makers could almost certainly advance solutions to global challenges like carbon sequestration and nature restoration more quickly. New, expensive solutions would be an option.
FORTUNATELY, NATURE CAN HELP WITH THIS.
This chart shows the “carbon cost curve,” the cost to mitigate 1 tonne of CO2e. Nature-based solutions are some of the most cost-effective activities for mitigating CO2 – and one of the most underutilized.
Growing global corporate action is exciting for nature restoration and carbon drawdown.
The number of companies making measurable, tangible commitments to Renewable Energy (RE100), Carbon neutrality, and Science-Based Targets (SBTs) increased 5X from 2016 to 2020. [7]
While nature-based solutions can provide cost-effective solutions to climate change, they also have a tremendous positive impact on communities and people worldwide.
Nature-based solutions are cost-effective and also scalable. The following chart shows the Gigatons of CO2e per year of each nature-based project type.
positively impacting people
NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS ARE A WIN FOR PEOPLE, TOO.
Many nature-based projects are created with and for the communities that rely on those natural assets. The projects are designed to have co-benefits, benefits that go beyond carbon emissions. For example, projects may include agroforestry components to help smallholder farmers grow high-value crops like coconuts, coffee, cacao, feedstock for essential oils, and more. Or contribute revenues to schools, medical clinics, electrification, and create jobs.
AT SCALE, THE INDUSTRY COULD CREATE 395 MILLION JOBS IN THE NEXT DECADE.
At the level of communities, nature-based projects create environmental assets that value nature more alive than dead. That means communities now have a choice between traditionally unsafe and unhealthy extractive jobs and decent work in a healthy ecosystem.
Indigenous communities and customary landowners have the opportunity to benefit significantly.
Ultimately, nature-based solutions can provide a world in balance – where healthy ecosystems thrive for the sake of the global economy, sustain life, and by extension, humans can thrive, too.
JOIN US
ON OUR JOURNEY TO MEET NET ZERO GOALS, PROTECT NATURE, AND BUILD RESILIENT ECOSYSTEMS.
REFERENCES
[1] Nature and Net Zero
[2] Respira, adapted from Giridan, et. al. 2021 and nature.com
[3] Natural Climate Solutions
[4] Mongabay
[5] Basque Center for Climate Change, Anil Markandya
[6] $8 Trillion Natured Based Solutions Market
[7] Natural Capital Partners, Cross Boundary. Unlocking private capital for nature-based solutions in emerging and frontier market.