IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions: a user-friendly framework for the verification, design and scaling up of NbS: first edition

Abstract

While the planetary crises we face today may seem overwhelming, society has also shown it can work together to solve major global threats. In the 1970s, the world successfully took action to halt and reverse the depletion of the ozone layer depletion. Failure to do so would have meant the “ozone hole” would now extend to the tropics, impacting people’s health, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Changing the predicted trajectory of a crisis needs readily available, reliable and effective solutions. In this respect, Nature- based Solutions (NbS) offers the world a real chance to meaningfully address multiple sustainability crises, including climate change, food and water security, land degradation and biodiversity loss.