Netzero-africa

NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS

What are Nature-based Solutions?

Well-designed Nature Based Solutions can contribute to tackling climate change, habitat and biodiversity loss, whilst supporting many of the 17 UN sustainable development goal and restoring the equilibrium to protect the planet, people and ensure prosperity for future generations.

Nature-based solutions provide roadmaps for solving the societal challenges that involve working with nature to deliver solutions. They include the protection, restoration or management of natural and semi-natural ecosystems, the sustainable management of productive land and seascapes, or the creation of novel ecosystems such as urban ‘green infrastructure’.

Lifecycle Assessments – In an given ecosystem, we now have the knowledge and science to conduct Life Cycle Assessments associated with environmental impact and circular economy principals allowing us to identify the vulnerable areas in our project ecosystems and put in place science and nature based improvement plans for restoration, improvement and maintenance of these assets. This means allowing forests to regrow, restoring coastal wetlands, mangroves, peat bogs, protecting habitats, and switching to restorative agricultural practices, such as minimum tillage, cover crop rotations, planting perennials, improve pasture density and biodiversity and sustainable grazing management that mimic natural systems. With such practices, these ecosystems will become more productive, restore natures balance, improve soil health and fix more CO2 it in plants, soils, microorganism and sediments.

The key benefits of Nature Based Solutions include:

Future Proofing Land Usage and protecting livelihoods and communities
Reversing ecosystem and habitat loss to ensure future generations inherit sustainable ecosystems
Giving Landowners and stakeholders the Credit for Sustainability
Creating a mechanism for landowners that allows for farm gate branding relating to positive sustainability attributes demanded by consumers
Reversing climate change and restoring the natural balance of productive ecosystems and habits
Healthy ecosystems underpin healthy, resilient nations and communities

Some evidence-based guidelines and examples for delivering successful, sustainable Nature Based Solutions with long term benefits for people and nature are as follow:

Restoring and protecting forests and wetlands in catchments

Protecting or restoring forests and wetlands (e.g. peatlands) in catchments can secure and regulate water supplies, support production of forest products, and protect communities and infrastructure from floods, soil erosion and landslides.

Learn More

Bringing nature into cities

Creating green roofs and walls and planting trees in cities can moderate the impacts of heatwaves, capture storm water and abate pollution. Such measures also have positive outcomes for mental and physical health.

Learn More

Coastal habitat restoration

Protecting or restoring coastal ecosystems (mangroves, reefs and salt marshes) protects communities and infrastructure from storm surges and erosion. Coastal habitats, especially mangroves, are particularly good at sequestering carbon, so restoration also contributes to climate change mitigation.

Learn More

Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative Agriculture is a holistic land management practice that leverages the power of photosynthesis in plants to close the carbon cycle, and build soil health, crop resilience and nutrient density.

Learn More

Keeping forests and woodlands standing

are one of the best examples of nature-based solutions. Home to 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity, forests and woodlands provide clean air and water, protect against erosion and landslides, and help to regulate the climate by removing carbon from the atmosphere.

Improving Grasslands

by Increasing the diversity of plant species [Grasses, Legumes, Herbs] and grazing at taller sward heights and longer grazing rotations are two key ways to boost biodiversity [insects, worms, fungi and microorganism]. This can lead to a 300+% improvement in carbon capture, 100+% improvement agriculture grazing enterprises whilst restoring soli and future proofing lands and livelihoods.

Improving Soil Organic Matter and Plant density

with create more resilient and productive agriculture lands leading to more sustainable grazing systems, improve meat and fibre production, reduce erosion and sustain livelihoods. Practices such as minimum tillage, smart grazing management, reduction of cropping, and reduced use of insecticide and herbicide will restore the balance

Source: https://www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/what-are-nature-based-solutions https://nbsguidelines.info