0
0
By Jean Claude Habimana
As climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation accelerate globally, nature offers a powerful response. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are now recognized as an essential tool to address multiple challenges at once: from restoring landscapes and regulating climate, to reducing disaster risks and supporting livelihoods. But the real power of NbS depends on how fully and faithfully we implement it.
The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions provides a clear and science-based foundation for doing exactly that. With eight interlinked criteria and 28 indicators, the standard guides implementers, policymakers, and partners to design and deliver high-quality NbS that are inclusive, adaptive, biodiversity-positive, and rooted in sound governance. Embracing these principles is key to success.
Take, for example, the role of ecological science in NbS. Plant ecology, in particular, helps us understand how vegetation interacts with climate, soil, water, and biodiversity. This knowledge strengthens Criterion 7 of the IUCN Standard, which emphasizes evidence-based and adaptive management. A well-designed NbS should consider local species traits, ecosystem functions, and resilience dynamics. By integrating plant ecology early in planning, we not only enhance outcomes but also reduce risks and ensure longevity.
Scale matters too. Criterion 2 reminds us that NbS must operate across ecological, social, and economic scales. A forest restoration project may begin at the landscape level, but its ripple effects must benefit communities, biodiversity corridors, and climate resilience systems beyond its boundaries. This is where scientific planning meets inclusive governance.
Inclusivity is at the heart of sustainable NbS. Criterion 5 prioritizes the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, ensuring that NbS are not only technically sound but also socially legitimate. Projects that embed traditional ecological knowledge often demonstrate better outcomes for both people and nature. When communities co-design and co-manage restoration efforts, the sense of ownership translates into stewardship.
NbS are not short-term fixes. Criterion 4 of the IUCN Standard ensures economic viability and long-term sustainability. This requires careful consideration of funding models, maintenance plans, and the capacity to adapt to changing climate conditions. Long-term thinking, supported by ecological monitoring and participatory governance, turns projects into lasting solutions.
Importantly, NbS must deliver multiple benefits. Criterion 6 reminds us to balance trade-offs and optimize co-benefits. A well-designed wetland restoration, for instance, can provide flood control, water purification, carbon sequestration, and wildlife habitat, all at once. But realizing these potential demands requires integrated thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Nature-based solutions also help address inequality. When NbS creates green jobs, restores degraded lands, or improves food security, it builds resilience in the most vulnerable communities. Criterion 1 ensures that NbS directly responds to societal challenges identified through participatory processes. Listening to communities, understanding their priorities, and responding with context-specific actions strengthens the impact of every intervention.
As emphasized in recent research, including Buckley et al. (2024), argue that plant ecology enhances the effectiveness of NbS. It enables practitioners to select appropriate species, restore ecosystem functions, and ensure compatibility with local biodiversity. By following IUCN’s Standard and grounding our actions in ecology, we can deliver NbS that truly work.
If we fully embrace the IUCN Global Standard- not just as a checklist, but as a mindset-then NbS will not only fix broken ecosystems, but also heal fractured systems: economic, social, and environmental. The planet already has the tools. Our responsibility is to use them wisely, with science, with communities, and with vision.
About the author
Habimana Jean Claude is a Science Communications Expert dedicated to unlocking the power of Nature-based Solutions, Forest Landscape Restoration, Conservation Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture, Gene Editing, One Health, and Circular Economy.
