4. SYNERGIES BETWEEN BIODIVERSITY, CLIMATE AND POLLUTION IN NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS

Responses to the climate and nature crises have long been dominated by a silo approach, addressing them separately and without considering the links and interdependencies. However, since the crises are interconnected and are reinforcing each other, the responses need to be cross-sectoral, enabling synergies and minimizing trade-offs. As stated in a joint report by IPBES and IPCC, “a new conservation paradigm would address the simultaneous objectives of a habitable climate, self-sustaining biodiversity, and a good quality of life for all”. A new paradigm thereby takes a holistic viewpoint of the challenges that the global societies are facing related to the natural world, and places emphasis on the need for solutions that address several objectives at once. In this new paradigm, nature-based solutions (NbS) can play a significant part in mitigating issues related to climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.  

NbS are, as defined by IUCN, “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits”.

Pörtner et al. (2021)

A more elaborate definition has been adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly, which states that  NbS are “actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, which address social, economic and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being, ecosystem services and resilience and biodiversity benefits.”

Nature-based Solutions Initiative (2022A)

NbS is an umbrella term for ecosystem-based methods used to address societal threats and challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.  

 

Figure 2. Conceptual figure of NbS as defined by IUCN.

Cohen-Shacham et al. (2016)

The ecosystem-based approaches under the NbS umbrella are:

Cohen-Shacham et al. (2016)

These approaches can reinforce synergy measures when integrated into policy and management practices. The next section as well as Chapter 6 “Policy Measures and Synergies” discuss this further.  

Due to their overarching goals and designs (Figure 2), NbS methods are suitable when addressing the common challenges of climate change, biodiversity and pollution.

Cohen-Shacham et al. (2016)

There is also evidence of the synergistic capacities of NbS. A systematic review of NbS has found that on average there is seen a 67% increase in local species richness, when NbS is implemented in order to address climate change.

Key et al. (2021)

Meanwhile, it should be noted that NbS are context-specific, and that the potential for synergistic outcomes from measures varies between biomes and ecosystem uses. In some ecosystems it may be possible to achieve significant synergies, while measures may work antagonistic in other areas.

Pörtner et al. (2021)

In a report by the Nature-based Solutions Initiative, trade-offs were mainly found in measures related to forest management or creation of novel ecosystems; for example establishment of afforestation plantations using species non-native to the area.

Key et al. (2021)

This evidence suggests that although such afforestation measures are often branded NbS, they do not supply the desired benefits, but can rather have negative effects on climate and biodiversity. Further research is in demand on NbS in different land uses and areas, especially since a considerable amount of research that has been done on NbS is mainly in an urban context. There is a need for further studies exploring the potentials for NbS in rural areas.

Solheim et al. (2021)

When seeking for NbS interventions that can have co-benefits related to climate change mitigation or adaptation and biodiversity preservation, it is highly relevant to target ecosystems that are carbon- and species-rich.

Pörtner et al. (2021)

Protecting these areas against degradation is especially important since it brings benefits both for climate and biodiversity. Ecosystem types that are relevant to consider for their richness of both carbon stocks and biodiversity are for example forests, wetlands, grasslands, coastal ecosystems and kelp forests. While protecting ecosystem integrity is first priority, there are also effective opportunities for synergistic measures through restoring nature in already degraded ecosystems.

Cook-Patton et al. (2021)

 

Figure 3. The relationship between eight criteria in the IUCN global standard for NbS.

IUCN (2020)

NbS can be integrated into production practices in the agricultural or forestry sector where they can contribute to increased adaptive capacity to climate change as well as mitigation potential through for example reduced fertilizer input. Furthermore, NbS can be implemented through alternative production approaches such as agroforestry, agroecology and crop diversification. These types of measures can support biodiversity in a productive landscape, while also contributing to carbon sequestration and increased resilience to stressors induced by climate change.

Seddon et al. (2020)

 

While NbS provide a solid framework and actual solutions that can be implemented into policy and practice, it demands a holistic approach to simultaneously address the socio-ecological crises we are facing. In 2020, the IUCN published the first version of a standard for Nature-based Solutions. The standard contains 8 criteria and 28 indicators (Figure 3). The aim of the standard is to provide clarity on what is covered by the concept of NbS, prevent misconceptions and provide guidance on how to deploy it successfully. The standard can be used across all regions of the world, in a natural, cultural or urban landscape and the standard is suitable for both small and large-scale interventions. The standard can be used by a wide range of stakeholders from national and local governments, the private sector, NGOs and various others.

IUCN (2020)

Guidelines supporting successful NbS have also been developed by researchers and practitioners in the UK.

Seddon et al. (2021)

 As seen in the table below, the guidelines are stated as a set of recommendations that are crucial to adopt and implement in order to achieve the anticipated effects while avoiding or preventing burden shifting, which is always a risk when implementing measures to prevent or mitigate environmental degradation.

Table 1. NbS guidelines developed by a large number of researchers and practitioners in the UK.

Seddon et al. (2021)

The temporal scale between decisions and effects for climate-biodiversity-pollution related measures may vary. Applied NbS can have offset or delayed effects, and effects related to climate vs. biodiversity vs. pollution may be manifested at different times. Offsets are also relevant at a spatial scale, as measures can result in tele coupling effects that have impacts at other geographical places than where the intervention was implemented. This includes spill-over effects to other regions.  

According to IPBES and IPCC, there is a need for rapid and sufficient synergistic actions.

Pörtner et al. (2021)

Accomplishing decision making and implementation processes sooner decreases the risk of irreversible adverse effects, increases the cost-efficiency of measures and creates added utility of the measures in a societal context. In a climate change context, NbS present many opportunities, although they can only be seen as part of the solution as their capacity for mitigation and adaptation is relatively small compared to quick phase-out of fossil fuels. It is also evident that NbS can be scaled up and have greater potential in a circular, green economy, where there is less pressure on natural areas from over-consumption of natural resources and modern, western diets. 

NbS covers multiple cross-sectoral topics, this is one of the strengths, but it also possesses some management challenges. Municipal workers who often are responsible for the implementation of NbS, might lack awareness of NbS and its possibilities, or do not feel properly educated to practice it. To properly implement NbS there is a need for engaging multiple departments; cross-departmental coordination has also been identified as a challenge.

Haxwell et al. (2018)