Working With Nature to Protect People

Abstract

Communities across the world are experiencing the growing devastating impacts of climate change and weather-related disasters. The resulting social, economic and environmental impacts are disproportionately affecting the world’s most vulnerable people. Without urgent action to combat climate change, build climate resilience and reduce the risk of climate change and weather-related disasters, these disasters will continue to cause unprecedented damage.

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have been identified as unique and effective ways to support disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation while also contributing to multiple societal goals, including improvements in human health and well-being, food and water security, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. However, NbS are far from reaching their full potential, with initiatives remaining largely small-scale and project based. Faced with the scale of the climate crisis, countries need to start investing in transformational NbS to better manage the ever-increasing risk of disasters.