About the event

In this Terra.do x Solutions Journalism Network Series, hear from a panel of experts implementing climate solutions in the Global South. The term nature-based solutions (NBS) was adopted in 2008 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which defined NBS as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.” With the vast sums of money pouring into carbon markets and being directed to projects in the Global South, how do we ensure that efforts to preserve and cultivate nature work to the benefit of all, especially Indigenous Peoples, non-indigenous small farmers, and forest communities?

Event details

The term nature-based solutions (NBS) was adopted in 2008 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN defines NBS as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.”

NBS typically involves ecosystem conservation, ecosystem restoration, or improving land and water management practices. Estimates for the potential of NBS to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere vary hugely and are likely overestimated. But forests are critical for climate stability and incredible reserves of carbon and havens of biodiversity. Their further destruction could be devastating. Planting trees is not a panacea for our climate ills. We need to focus on protecting carbon in ecosystems. Carbon removal is not a substitute for mitigation.

Some groups argue that the narrative and framework of nature-based solutions transforms effective ecological practices into financialized instruments that may exacerbate the climate and biodiversity crises. NBS is facilitating large financial flows from the Global North–both from governments and corporations–into the Global South, and often targets “Indigenous Peoples’ lands and territories resulting in the perpetuation of land grabs, environmental injustices, climate change and biodiversity loss.”

With the vast sums of money pouring into carbon markets, how do we hold polluters accountable and adequately and ensure that efforts to preserve and cultivate nature to the benefit of all legally recognize and uphold the self determination, sovereignty, rights and consent of Indigenous Peoples and other stewards of nature?