Who Are We?

Founded in 2017, the Nature-based Solutions Initiative (NbSI) is an international team dedicated to advancing impactful, interdisciplinary research that shapes policy and practice around nature-based solutions. We do this through research, teaching, and active engagement with policymakers and practitioners. Based in the Departments of Biology and Geography at the University of Oxford, we work closely with experts in engineering, governance, and finance across the university, as well as with international and local NGOs in the conservation and development sectors.

Our Mission

To Research, Educate, and Advise.

To enhance understanding and implementation of nature-based solutions that support thriving human and ecological communities and nurture an economy that enhances the web of life. To this end, we conduct interdisciplinary research and provide guidance for decision makers based on the best available evidence and in a way that respects the rights and knowledges of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

What are Nature-based Solutions?

Nature-based Solutions involve working with nature, as part of nature, to address societal challenges, supporting human well-being and biodiversity locally. They include the protection, restoration or management of natural and semi-natural ecosystems; the sustainable management of aquatic systems and working lands; and integration of nature in and around our cities. They are actions that are underpinned by biodiversity and designed and implemented in a way that respects the rights, values and knowledges of local communities and Indigenous Peoples.

Want to learn more?

If you would like to learn more about the role of NbS in addressing societal challenges, we recommend you:

We also strongly encourage you read about the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions

Nature-based Solutions Case Studies

Check out our interactive map of best practice examples of Nature-based Solutions around the globe showcasing how working with nature can benefit both biodiversity and people, while addressing climate change. The complete map and case studies are available at the Nature-based Solutions Case Studies platform.

Nature-based solutions across landscapes for climate change mitigation

Natural England announced funding for six study projects which would utilize nature restoration for carbon sequestration methodologies and each cover an area of greater than 500 hectares. Nature-based Intervention: Natural England has worked with entities across the country to establish pilot sites for the implementation and evaluation of six different types of nature-based solution. Each … Read more

Silvopastoral system addresses climate change and livelihoods risk in livestock sector

Livestock based agriculture is both a large source of emissions and critical source of income for Colombia, with investments in silvopastoral systems being a critical pathway for reducing emissions while sustaining this vital income source. Nature-based Intervention: The project worked with 4,100 farms across the country in order to facilitate the conversion of 38,000 ha … Read more

Jurisdictional REDD+ project tackles national deforestation levels

Guyana’s jurisdictional REDD+ project has helped keep the annual national deforestation rate to 0.1 percent while providing finance mechanisms for a national carbon credit strategy. Nature-based Intervention: The project is a REDD+ partnership with the government of Guyana which aims to support low-carbon development strategies through carbon crediting aimed at limiting national deforestation rates. This … Read more

Animations & Films on Nature-based Solutions

Playlist

The future we can and must chose: nature-based solutions
Working with Nature: Highlands
Working with Nature: Rivers & Coast
Working with Nature: Cities