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This brief examines the issues that must be addressed to help ensure that the design, governance and implementation of nature-based solutions (NbS) are just and equitable. The authors outline five principles to incorporate in NbS to achieve these goals, and they present a case study from a semi-informal settlement in Kenya that illustrates how such principles can be integrated into very preliminary efforts to set the stage for NbS-oriented approaches to address multiple community-level cocerns.
The River Ndarugu, which runs through the semi-informal settlement of Kaptembwa, in Nakuru, Kenya, offers potential to serve as the basis of a nature-based solution to multiple social-economic and environmental issues faced by the community. Photo: SEI.
Nature-based solutions (NbS) are a hot topic in climate, environment and development circles. As they rise in popularity, it is increasingly important to scrutinize the narratives around the concept, its framing in policy and agenda setting, operationalization and implementation.
The authors of this brief put forward five principles that NbS should adopt to ensure just and equitable approaches:
1. Ensure that design, governance and implementation processes are inclusive and transparent.
2. Tackle root causes of marginalization, inequality and injustice at all stages.
3. Limit the creation of economic and non-economic losses, and avoid the unjust
redistribution of risks and costs.
4. Prioritize interventions for the most at-risk places and communities.
5. Devise and use valuation and measurement tools that assess social and political change and consequences.
The brief also presents a case study from a semi-informal settlement in Nakuru, Kenya, to illustrate how such principles can be integrated into nascent processes that set the stage for NbS-oriented measures to address socio-economic and environmental issues at the community level.
A workshop in Kaptembwa. Photo: SEI.
SEI brief / This brief introduces a four-part series on the social and economic sustainability aspects of nature-based solutions.
SEI brief / Nature-based solutions must be designed to deliver measurable benefits for nature and society. The different dimensions of scale could be better incorporated.
SEI working paper / Read this new assessment on how much development finance is directed toward nature-based solutions and how effectively it is used.
Feature / Our Strategy for the Ocean and Biodiversity focuses on bridging science and policy within sources of marine pollution, coastal resilience and biodiversity loss.
Feature / In this episode of the "Talks 4 Action" podcast, SEI researchers discuss the promises and pitfalls of Nature-based solutions.
Perspective / This perspective examines the issues that deserve greater attention to expand the use and financing of nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation.
Design and development by Soapbox.
