More sustainable, resilient societies are the big goals for most projects currently. The push for such projects is so massive that the EU has a policy to support the research and implementation of nature-based solutions.
One of the biggest drivers for nature-based solutions projects is the 2020 UNEP Adaptation Gap Report which warns that countries and individuals must adapt to the new climate reality or face serious damages, costs, and losses.
So, what can you do individually to make a difference?
Read on to learn what nature-based solutions are and why people buy or sell land with an environmental impact.
What are Nature-Based Solutions?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) describes nature-based solutions as actions to sustainably manage, protect, and restore natural or modified ecosystems. These solutions address societal challenges adaptively and effectively while providing benefits for human well-being and biodiversity.
Nature-based solutions are important for addressing societal problems such as loss of biodiversity, climate change, and food security. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights that nature-based solutions will significantly help keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
You can invest in nature-based solutions using projects that work with existing ecosystems such as grasslands, forests, coastal zones, and wetlands. You can also invest in projects that improve agricultural sustainability.
For instance, you can start a carbon farm that takes more CO2 and prevents the release of greenhouse gases. The project can also deliver benefits to the biodiversity of the area and the local community, such as creating job opportunities.
Carbon credits are one of the most important mechanisms used to enable investment in nature-based solutions projects. You get credit for each tone of CO2 avoided or stored by the project. You can sell these credits to continue funding the project and sustainably managing, protecting, and restoring nature.
Do Nature-Based Solutions Assist in Combating Climate Change?
According to estimates, nature-based solutions can provide 37% of the mitigation required until 2030 to achieve the Paris Agreement targets. For instance, planting trees on your parcel of land will soak up carbon and reduce the impact of greenhouse gases.
Restoring native forests at the river margins could reduce landslides while acting as a carbon sink. Climate-smart agriculture is another great example that enables farmers to produce crops while retaining more carbon in the field.
Nature-based solutions projects can go as far as paying farmers not to cut down forest preserves ecosystem services such as providing clean drinking water, reducing carbon sequestration, and reducing river sedimentation downstream.
However, not everything you plant contributes positively to the climate and biodiversity of the area. For instance, planting trees that are toxic to the local animals and are not from the region does not generate biodiversity benefits.
Examples of Nature-Based Solution Projects
There are several nature-based solution projects that you can implement to contribute to your local biodiversity and ecosystem positively. Some examples include:
Erosion Mitigation
Steep hillsides require efficient and effective erosion mitigation techniques. Otherwise, the area may be more exposed to frequent floods and landslides that can be made worse by droughts and torrential rain associated with climate change.
A nature-based solution on such parcels of land would involve building terraces on the hillsides and using vegetation at crucial points of the landscape to increase soil moisture, control soil erosion, and reduce runoff.
Therefore, farmers or landowners in the area can plant soil-stabilizing grasses, tree crops, and fodder crops to make the land more productive for farming and protect the topsoil.
Urban Wetlands
Wetlands reduce the risk of flooding in an area by holding excess water. However, some areas have had the holding capacity of their wetlands drop by as much as 40% over a decade. Moreover, rising sea levels and climate change have increased the vulnerability of such areas to flooding.
A nature-based solution project in such an area would use grey and green infrastructure to protect and restore the wetland and prevent devastating geographical impacts. It would also seek to maintain its hydraulic integrity. As a result, the flood risk for locals is greatly reduced, resulting in a better quality of life.
Wetlands also regulate the local climate and sequester carbon which helps reduce the need for air conditioners in the region which results in high energy bills.
The wetlands may also be used to improve wastewater treatment and water quality. Some parts can be turned into wildlife sanctuaries or parks where locals and the local government can earn revenue.
Carbon Farming
Landowners can partner with organizations to set up carbon farming projects on their land and reduce net carbon emissions in the area. Such a project would involve using soil and vegetation to trap or harvest carbon while improving land management and helping landowners diversify their income streams from their investments.
For instance, in Australia, the Clean Energy Regulator provides a set of approved methodologies to enable carbon farming and accrue Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) from these land-based projects.
Mangrove Restoration
Mangrove restoration projects seek to improve biodiversity and provide a sustainable habitat for several fish and bird species. Mangroves also provide a nesting place for endangered species such as sea turtles, African manatees, and the Atlantic humpback dolphin.
The mangroves also earn you carbon credits as they grow and eliminate carbon in the atmosphere.
Sustainable Farming
Sustainable farming is crucial for small- and large-scale farmers to preserve the soil and ecosystem in the area. Sustainable farming involves several processes, such as establishing and conserving community conservation areas and planting trees.
Sustainable farming also improves yield, income, and food security within the community while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, you can also earn carbon credits, which you can use to fund parts of the farming or perform any other management duties on the land.
Momentum begets momentum
Purchasing and selling land for an environmental impact is one of the most conscious investments you can make. You can turn your land into the home of several nature-based solutions projects that will transform your area's ecosystem, biodiversity, and local climate.
Contact Fynn Partners today and learn how you can leave legacy gifts that will transcend generations.
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