Nathalie Seddon

How Nature-based Solutions are helping us reduce the impact of the climate crisis

Limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C demands not only the ongoing removal of atmospheric CO2, but also achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Crucially, these goals must support biodiversity, economic growth, and sustainable development. Beyond technological solutions, nature offers powerful tools to mitigate environmental damage and adapt to climate change.

Nature-based solutions (NbS), championed by Professor Nathalie Seddon of the University of Oxford, involve synergistic projects between humans and nature. These include forest protection, coastal ecosystem restoration, sustainable land management through agroforestry, and urban greening. Effective NbS benefit local communities and honour indigenous knowledge.

The appeal of NbS lies in their multifaceted benefits: carbon sequestration, biodiversity preservation, habitat restoration, flood protection, and the mitigation of air pollution and extreme heat. Land-use changes will also play a crucial role in cooling the planet, even after we reach net-zero emissions.

Professor Seddon emphasises the need for substantial investment in NbS and the translation of rigorous research into actionable policies. Indeed, evidence shows that nature-based projects offer a cost-effective means for organisations to achieve their environmental goals, especially when considering their long-term, multiple benefits.