Nature-based infrastructure. How natural infrastructure solutions can address sustainable development challenges and the triple planetary crisis

Detalles

A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNOPS and the University of Oxford, co-authored by Robyn Haggis of the NbSI (Nature-Based Solutions Initiative), highlights the contributions of nature-based infrastructure solutions to sustainable development, climate action and biodiversity.

According to the report, nature-based infrastructure solutions can influence 79% of all Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) goals. Research finds that the greatest impact on the SDGs is achieved when nature-based solutions are combined with built infrastructure assets. Together, they influence up to 95% of all SDG goals.

This report aims to support efforts to increase the use of nature-based solutions as a key component of sustainable infrastructure systems. In addition to highlighting the benefits, it also presents the main barriers to implementing nature-based infrastructure solutions and introduces some recommendations on what different actors can do to overcome these obstacles.

One of the key recommendations is the need for collaboration between policymakers and practitioners to integrate nature into the planning and design of the "main stream" infrastructure. In addition, a call is made for more data on the long-term performance of nature-based infrastructure and the development of innovative financing models that can take into account its broad benefits.