Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-based solutions (NbS) use ecosystem restoration and management to tackle societal challenges like climate change, water security, and food supply

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are activities that address societal challenges through the restoration or sustainable management of ecosystems.

The Evolution and Impact of Nature-Based Solutions

The concept of nature-based solutions was pioneered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the 2000s. Since then, the IUCN has created a standard for evaluating the effectiveness of NBS initiatives.

NBS offers an alternative to conventional solutions that depend solely on human-built infrastructure and extractive technologies. Wider challenges such as climate change as well as more specific issues like water security and risk mitigation in many localities, are now being addressed through NBS using nature’s own systems to solve human and environmental problems for the long term.

NBS in the Ocean: A Vital Role in Societal and Environmental Health

Nature-based solutions in the ocean are not just about saving the environment—they’re about safeguarding our collective future. Marine ecosystems play a key role in the food security, safety, and culture of coastal communities the world over. When marine ecosystems are depleted, coastal communities and others dependent on them are negatively impacted through food scarcity, a loss of cultural connection and purpose, and heightened vulnerability to cyclones, tidal surges, and other climate-driven events.

With that in mind, NBS initiatives like mangrove restoration, coral rehabilitation, and kelp forest regeneration aren’t just “nice to have” for their own sake—they are also key to solving multiple issues in our communities. Outside of simply ensuring food availability, restoring marine habitats can help regulate carbon, restore marine life, and even reduce the destructive effects of serious weather- and climate-related events. Furthermore, when we restore these systems through NBS, we help curb climate change and re-establish the ocean’s role as a planetary life-support system.

Examples of Nature-Based Solutions in Action

NBS is not just a theoretical concept; it has already been proven effective in many instances. These examples are grounded in accepted science and local knowledge, involving and requiring the collaboration of governments, researchers, and various coastal communities.

Kelp Forest Restoration: In New Zealand, restoration efforts are underway to rebuild native kelp forests that act as critical blue carbon sinks, wave energy absorbers, and biodiversity hotspots. Projects like those supported by Live Ocean aim to scale up kelp recovery, improving ocean health and climate function while also increasing the food and disaster resilience of nearby communities. Live Ocean Foundation is currently supporting Dr Caitlin Blain’s research into Blue Carbon to help us accurately quantify how much carbon is being sequestered by New Zealand’s kelp forests.
Mangrove Replanting: Countries in Southeast Asia have launched community-led mangrove planting initiatives to reduce the risks of typhoons and sea-level rise, at the same time improving fisheries and water quality. Lessons learned from these NBS initiatives may provide clarity on the future of New Zealand’s own mangrove forests.
Coral Gardening: Across the Western Pacific and the Caribbean, corals are being cultivated and replanted on degraded reefs to help recover fish populations and reduce the energy of incoming waves. Efforts include setting up protected coral nurseries as well as coral seeding in laboratories.

The Challenge Ahead for NBS for Marine and Costal Issues

While NBS offer enormous promise for New Zealand and other countries that depend on marine resources, they are not a silver bullet. For an NBS project to succeed, it must be well-designed, locally adapted, and supported by long-term policy and funding frameworks. Moreover, wider success will depend on serious, shared efforts from all of the world’s marine nations. According to the IUCN, more than half of countries have referenced NBS in their national climate plans but most still lack in terms of implementation and ambition.

Still, nature-based solutions remain the most effective, not to mention, inspiring pathways toward a thriving planet. It is a thoroughly science-based approach that is already proving its worth in sequestering carbon, protecting coastlines, and sustaining communities the world over. Taking a wider view, investments in ocean-based NBS aren’t just for the environment. Rather, they are possibly one of the most viable means we have available for ensuring continued human resilience on a fragile planet.