4. Ways to support policy development and implementation

In this chapter, we summarize some key points on strategies for implementing and upscaling nature-based solutions (NBS) through policy development. There are now many reports and academic literature on how to support the use and upscaling of NBS through policies (Martire et al., 2022; Davis, Cuevas & Gvein, 2024; IEEP, 2024; Sekulova & Anguelovski, 2017). There are also many studies on the barriers to uptake and mainstreaming of NBS (IEEP et al., 2024; NetworkNature, 2021). Many of these barriers can typically be addressed through policies, such as lack of financing and the need for cross-sectoral collaboration. Some of the main barriers are further described in chapter 5.

In recent years, NBS have received more attention as effective and inclusive solutions to societal challenges. Challenges such as climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss require fundamental societal changes also in terms of viewing and addressing the challenges jointly (Mauchaza et al., 2024). They concern all of society and cannot be addressed through one specific sector or field. To achieve transformative change, there is need for innovation as well as designing policies with complementary goals across domains in climate, biodiversity and health. This requires political will and strategic vision. At the same time, we need to maintain and strengthen what is already working today. Finally, some management practices and policies may have a negative effect and function as barriers, and here disruption is needed.

Many policies already support protection of nature and biodiversity, restoration of degraded or damaged ecosystems and sustainable use of natural resources. These policies are also working toward strengthening the argument for NBS. In such cases, NBS can be argued for by enforcing and strengthening the policies that already provide a strong base for climate adaptation work. Other existing policies supporting the same targets such as climate adaptation, water management and biodiversity enhancement can additionally contribute to NBS work. In many cases, these policies can support NBS, but sometimes need to be specified or adapted to enable the use of NBS.

In the policy handbook we aim to illustrate both how existing policies can be adjusted or strengthened to better support NBS, as well as examples of new approaches.

Policy development starts with an issue that needs to be solved through policy measures. Setting clear and SMART (Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals is a clear recommendation from several studies. Targets can provide a clear outline of policy priorities and the strategic direction that policymakers need to adhere to. Policy targets that include action on climate adaptation and mitigation, conservation of nature and biodiversity as well as targets on human health and wellbeing are the basis for the integration of NBS into policymaking. To design and implement effective NBS policies, there is also a need for measurable indicators and criteria.

Different criteria and standards can be used both to develop new policy instruments and assess current frameworks. For example, the IUCN Global standard for NBS has a set of eight criteria to assess implementation of NBS in practice. IUCN later applied the standard to address the effectiveness of policy instruments for NBS. In the new methodology, the eight criteria for NBS are adapted to policy development (IUCN, 2022a). It asks the following questions: Do national and sectoral policies relevant to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation enable NBS that…

Another example is a study (Davis, Cueva, Gvein, 2024) of 250 policy instruments for NBS which identified the following six criteria for good practice: policy should be effective, inclusive, innovative, locally appropriate, support multifunctional NBS, sustainable in the long-term and upscalable/​replicable.

Policy coherence and harmonisation is also necessary to consider in terms of how well different policies work together, or whether they are in fact contradicting or creating barriers for each other. This can be assessed specifically for NBS across policy domains.

Implementing solutions to complex societal challenges through policy can seem like an overwhelming task. It is therefore important to bear in mind that change can happen on all levels, and even very small steps can have an effect. NBS can be a large wetland area, but also smaller measures such as rain gardens and urban trees can make a difference. In many cases, the new strategy or policy that contributes to increased implementation of NBS can start with a small change. This is why scalability and replicability are key factors when working with NBS – first we test and see what works on a smaller scale, then we scale that up.

What is unique for NBS is that there is a fundamental requirement for them to be multifunctional and work toward better conditions for humans and nature at the same time. This can be both a barrier and an opportunity. As NBS require cross-sectoral approaches, the current system with sector-based policies can be challenging to navigate. On the other hand, as NBS can solve several challenges at once, they may also be the preferred option when there is lack of space, and it may increase the likelihood of their implementation if it benefits several different sectors. It is important to address this both through cross-sectoral collaborations and holistic approaches.

In the handbook we further expand on five key aspects of policy development for NBS (cross-cutting advice in chapter 9.1):