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Urban nature-based solutions can be key tools for climate adaptation, but critical knowledge gaps still exist
In a new paper out in the journal Nature Sustainability, researchers explore the climate–biodiversity–society (CBS) nexus as it relates to the implementation of nature-based solutions (NbS) in the urban context. The article, Global mapping of urban nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation, looks at 216 urban interventions and 130 cities worldwide. The analysis focused on […] -
Farming and conservation organisations present a joint vision for food, farming and nature
A new declaration, co-created by farmers and conservationists, outlines intentions to align outcomes for food production, nature, and people across the UK agricultural landscape. A united outlook from organisations ranging from the RSPB, Woodland Trust and WWF to the Campaign for Rural England, Soil Association and Food, Farming & Countryside Commission provides hope for a […] -
Apply now to be the NbSI Communications and Outreach Officer
The Nature-based Solutions Initiative (NbSI) in the Department of Biology is seeking a Communications and Outreach Officer. The post holder will promote and share the research and other outputs of the NbSI, e.g. via social media and the NbSI website, translating scientific findings so that they are accessible to decision makers and the general public. […] -
UK government announces details of long-awaited green farming subsidy package for England
Late last week, long awaited details were announced by the UK government about the post-Brexit farm subsidy scheme for England that replaces the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The new program, known as the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS), focuses on providing “public money for public goods” such as wildlife protection, clean water, climate […] -
Nature-Based Solutions from the Whitehouse Resource Guide Highlight Key Strategies for Climate Adaptation in the US
Prior to COP27 the United States (US) Biden-Harris Administration released a Nature-Based Solutions Roadmap; an outline of strategic recommendations for utilizing nature-based solutions (NbS) to address climate change, nature loss, and inequity in America. Alongside this release they also included the Nature-Based Solutions Resource Guide , which highlights successful NbS case studies from across the […] -
Brazil’s President Lula launches renewed commitments to the environment as he begins his third term in office
On his first day in office Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued multiple measures to protect the Amazon and Indigenous people. These policies represent a return to many of Brazil’s previous environmental commitments as well as a renewed and improved dedication to indigenous rights within the country. This is promising news for the […] -
Nature-based solutions can play an important role in reducing vulnerabilities to climate change across the rural Global South
Woroniecki et al. 2022 A new paper by the NbSI team and lead by group member Stephen Woroniecki is out now in the journal Climate and Development, and it evaluates how nature-based solutions(NbS) are increasingly addressing societal challenges while also helping communities adapt to climate change. The article titled, Contributions of nature-based solutions to reducing […] -
Paying farmers to create wetlands and woodlands is the most cost effective way to reach UK environmental targets
Collas et al. 2022 A new study highlighted by the British Ecological Society shows that the most cost-effective way for the UK to reach its environmental goals is to pay farmers to create woodlands and wetlands. The government has made ambitious international commitments to halt and reverse nature declines by 2030 and to reach net […] -
Landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 agreed
The 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) concluded last week with the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, or GBF for short, setting four overarching goals and 23 targets with the mission to take urgent action to “halt and reverse biodiversity loss” by 2030. The COP15 Presidency was […] -
Short-range multispectral imaging is an inexpensive, fast, and accurate approach to estimate biodiversity in a temperate calcareous grassland
Jackson et al. 2022 In a new Ecology and Evolution study, short-range multispectral imaging in a temperate calcareous grassland is demonstrated to provide indicators of grassland biodiversity metrics at high spatial resolution. Image sensing technology developments are improving the cost-effectiveness of biodiversity monitoring efforts, yet logistical difficulties impede broad-scale implementation and use in characterizing biodiversity […] -
CoP15 statement from researchers urges upholding of 2030 targets
Researchers, conservationists, and the public across the world have released a statement to CoP negotiators calling for ambitious goals to ‘Halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity and put nature on a path to recovery by 2030’ to be included in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) of the Convention on Biological Diversity, being finalised at […] -
UNEP-IUCN-ILO report: Nature-based Solutions could generate 20 million jobs with the right policies
Launched at COP15, the UNEP–IUCN–ILO report, Decent Work in Nature-based Solutions, provides a framework for assessing employment in NbS, with empirical evaluation of current and potential future global employment in NbS for the first time. The report aims to fill knowledge and advocacy gaps on how transitions to a green economy will affect the world […] -
Oxford University and UNEP launch the Nature Positive Universities Alliance
Launched at COP15, the University of Oxford and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), in partnership with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, have founded the Nature Positive Universities Alliance. The Alliance is a growing network of higher education institutions across the world, working together under a pledge to advance efforts to halt, prevent and reverse […] -
Our hopes for COP15
Three members of the NbSI team — Audrey Wagner, Seth Thomas, and Beth Turner — are attending CoP15 in person over the next two weeks. NbSI members have also convened and are leading the first ever Oxford University delegation to a CBD CoP. -
EU Proposal on regulation on deforestation-free products risks neglecting critical ecosystems
Since November 2021, policy makers from across the EU have been negotiating a common position on how it should tackle deforestation caused by imports of key forest-risk commodities such as palm oil, beef, soy, cocoa, coffee and timber. The EU Council´s Ad hoc Working Party on the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with […] -
Nature-based Insetting is working with the TNFD and Global Canopy
Nature-based Insetting Ltd applies cutting edge research to help businesses implement nature-based solutions with integrity. NbI achieves this by analysing biodiversity and human wellbeing-related impacts and risks, and then identifying opportunities for lowering risk by implementing nature-based solutions that are effective, net-zero aligned, ecologically sound and socially just. We help our corporate clients develop location […] -
A function-based typology for Earth’s ecosystems
Keith et al. 2022 A new paper in Nature, A function-based typology for Earth’s ecosystems, presents the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Ecosystem Typology. It is a conceptually robust, scalable, spatially explicit approach for generalizations and predictions about functions, biota, risks and management remedies across the entire biosphere. The typology is intended […] -
Mapping the planet’s critical natural assets
Chaplin-Kramer et al. 2022 A recent Nature Ecology & Evolution paper by Chaplin-Kramer et al. maps nature’s contributions to people globally, and determines the critical areas where their magnitude is the highest and where they provide the highest potential human benefit. The authors define critical natural assets as the natural and semi-natural ecosystems that provide […] -
WRI Report on the Benefits of Forests for Stabilizing the Climate
A recent report from the World Resources Institute, Not Just Carbon: Capturing All the Benefits of Forests for Stabilizing the Climate from Local to Global Scales, summarizes the science on the biophysical effects of deforestation on climate stability, and explores the policy implications of the resulting impacts at three scales. Global climate policy, regional cooperation […] -
Land tenure drives Brazil’s deforestation rates across socio-environmental contexts
Pacheco & Meyer, 2022 A recent Nature Communications study, Land tenure drives Brazil’s deforestation rates across socio-environmental contexts, investigates the relationship between land tenure and deforestation rates in Brazil, revealing that poorly defined land rights lead to increased deforestation rates. The privatisation of such lands can only mitigate this effect if combined with strict environmental policies. […] -
NbSI take part in COP27 panel event ‘Blending People’s Participation & Nature-based Approaches for Enhancing Community Resilience’
In week two of COP27 a variety of COP side events were hosted alongside the build in momentum as negotiations ran on what terms, issues and language would make it into the final cover decision text. The event ‘Blending People’s Participation and Nature-based Approaches for Enhancing Community Resilience’ was hosted by ICCCAD and the Center […] -
First Nature-based Solutions Foundation Course run completed
The 8-week online Nature-based Solutions to Global Challenges Foundation Course is an introduction to nature-based solutions (NbS) for professionals working in a range of sectors – aiming to improve awareness and understanding of the science, policy, practice, financing, and governance of NbS. Each week covers a critical theme around NbS, with sessions and workshops led […] -
NbSI visit Carbon Community field site
The Carbon Community is running a large-scale tree planting experiment designed in partnership with scientists, to learn more about how to accelerate and enhance carbon sequestration using Nature-based Solutions. The NbSI team recently visited their field study site of 25,600 trees in Glandwr Forest near Llandovery, Wales. The study has around 80 plots with different […] -
COP27 week two nature-based solutions roundup
Week two of COP27 saw a move from large-scale governmental announcements and launches, to COP side events alongside the build in momentum as negotiations ran on what terms, issues and language would make it into the final cover decision text. On 14 November Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia announced a new formal partnership […] -
Nature-based Solutions included in COP27 Cover Decision text
Nature-based Solutions have been included for the first time in a COP cover decision. COP27, held this year in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt has seen a range of developments for nature-based solutions, particularly from the US. The inclusion of NbS within a COP decisions text is something many organisations, including our own, have been working […]