Nature-based Solutions

STAP held a virtual workshop on 19 – 20 May 2020 to review the experience gained in implementing nature-based solutions (NbS), and to distill and discuss best practices and lessons learned to guide future investment by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).  The event was a joint effort between STAP, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Gordan and Betty Moore Foundation, each presenting insights derived from a review of NbS projects in their respective portfolios.

The workshop was attended (virtually) by eighty participants representing a variety of sectors including international organizations, universities, philanthropies, and non-governmental organizations. Break-out groups during the second day discussed and reported back on the following questions:

Question 1: How should a balance be struck between the interests of nature and of people in NbS?

Question 2: What are the barriers to implementing NbS, and how can successful solutions be scaled up?

Question 3: How to make NbS operational – in their design, execution, and management?

Participants expanded on these ideas during a final plenary session and Dr. Bierbaum summarized the key themes presented during the workshop including the need to calculate costs and benefits of NbS for people and for nature and find a way to balance local and global benefits. A guidance note for future GEF NbS projects will be developed by the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP), and a short paper on NbS will be prepared for the Global Commission on Adaptation by STAP, the Moore Foundation, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.