Nature-based solutions (NbS) and natural climate solutions (NCS) have emerged
as promising options to address the challenges of the global climate and biodiversity
crises. However, confusion persists about the meaning and practical implications of
these relatively new approaches in the public, private, and political spheres.
This research paper explores how the Government of Canada conceptualizes NbS
and NCS, first through a scoping review of literature regarding the conceptual
definitions and limits of NbS and NCS, and then through a directed content analysis of
their 2020 climate plan, titled A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy (HEHE).
This research determines that the NbS and NCS concepts are frequently confused or
treated as interchangeable by the Government of Canada to the detriment of the HEHE
plan’s strategies. The implications of these findings are discussed. The paper concludes
with recommendations for improved design and deployment of NbS and NCS in Canada.