What are nature-based solutions?
Nature-based solutions (NbS) are inspired by and rooted in nature. They provide cost-effective solutions that deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits while also helping to build resilience. These solutions integrate diverse, natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes by implementing locally adapted and systemic interventions.
Nature-based solutions play a vital role in helping our catchments, rivers, estuaries, and coasts to become more resilient to the effects of climate change by:
- Slowing and storing floodwaters – helping to reduce flood risk
- Attenuating wave energy – reducing the risk of coastal erosion
- Encouraging infiltration – recharging aquifers
- Cooling towns and cities – reducing the effects of urban heatwaves
- Shading water courses and coastal areas – helping regulate water temperatures
- Filtering and processing water – improving water quality
Nature-based solutions from source to sea
Water flows across our landscapes, through the ground, and out to sea - driving the natural processes that transport sediment, nutrients, plants, animals and other essential ecosystem services.
NbS can be implemented across this entire journey, from source to sea. They help to restore and reconnect habitats while storing, slowing, and filtering water along the way. These solutions take many different forms, as illustrated in the infographic below.
Restoring natural systems for people, nature and places
NbS are unique in their multi-functional and holistic approach. They enable us to work across a whole catchment scale through to the coast, delivering a wide range of benefits for people, nature and the economy.
By emulating the natural functions of rivers, estuaries and coasts, these solutions also support the restoration of natural processes. In doing so, they help reconnect habitats and species, facilitating ecosystem recovery and long-term resilience.
By tapping into and bringing together a wide range of initiatives and funding sources, they enable interdisciplinary partnership working by ensuring that actions and investments work in harmony to achieve common goals.
In addition to environmental and economic gains, these solutions also deliver significant mental and physical health benefits for local people and communities.
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