Platforms, tools and e-learnings NbS
Much has been and is written and published about Naturebased Solutions and there are many forums where NbS is the main theme. In addition, various tools have been developed and various e-learning courses are also available. A lot of information can be gathered via the internet and the choice has been made not to repeat that information, but to show the way to it.
The overview below is far from complete, but offers insight into a number of important platforms, tools and e-learnings. But above all, go and find it yourself.
1. Platforms NbS
Naturebased Solutions Initiative
This site provides an interactive map with best-practise examples of NbS worldwide, funded by the British Academy and launched at the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow. The interactive map connects NbS with climate adaptation and mitigation solutions, based on systematic peer-reviewed and literature.
National Adaptation Plan
The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network supports developing countries in their NAP processes to accelerate the effort for climate adaptation action worldwide.
The network was established in 2014 at the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 20) in Lima, Peru, initiated by adaptation practices from 11 developing and developed countries.
Today, the NAP Global Network connects more than 3,000 participants from more than 170 countries working on national adaptation planning and action, and has provided direct support to more than 70 countries.
Nature for Climate
Nature4Climate is a multi-stakeholder coalition of 31 international organisations working to accelerate and scale up the implementation of NbS. They serve as a platform for communication, advocacy and movement building, and form the connective fabric for the global climate nature movement. Through collective campaigns and strategic interventions, they help stakeholders to stimulate private investment in NbS, get economies to work with nature rather than against it, and promote policies and practices that deliver high-quality solutions. Their ultimate goal is to harness nature's full potential to advance climate action in Paris, protect biodiversity, strengthen global resilience, and support inclusive economic growth by 2030.
Global Program on Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience (GPNBS)
GPNBS is committed to increasing investments in nature-based solutions (NBS) that strengthen natural systems to build resilience in sectors.
Through World Bank activities and collaborations with partners worldwide, GPNBS informs and promotes NBS investments that integrate both natural and hybrid approaches to addressing disaster and climate resilience challenges.
These activities are in line with countries' global policy commitments and contribute to the objectives of several global policy frameworks, including the Sendai-framwork for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Assisted Natural Regeneration Alliance
The Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) Alliance is an international coalition of practitioners, researchers, decision-makers, organizations, and funders. It was founded in 2022 with support from the World Resources Institute Brazil1, Instituto Centro de Vida, Imazon, NICFI and Suzano. The goals are 1. spreading awareness and sharing knowledge about ANR practices to accelerate natural restoration in ecosystems, 2. stimulating supportive policies and incentives for effective implementation of ANR and 3. facilitating access to technical research and monitoring systems to enable wide adoption of ANR practices.
2. Tools NbS
Farmtree
The NWB Fund is developing a handy tool together with the start-up FarmTree BV: the NWB Fund watershed reforestation tool. This tool predicts the effect on the water balance of a mix of trees and crops, which is tailored to the soil conditions and climate in a certain area. The tool is now being tested and further developed within the WaterWorX project in Morogoro, Tanzania.
IUCN
The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™ (NbS-GS) provides a robust, evidence-based framework for the consistent and credible application of NbS across sectors and geographies. Established as a systematic learning and quality assurance tool, the NbS-GS ensures that NbS are applied effectively and sustainably, maximising their potential to address societal challenges and delivering measurable benefits for people and nature.
Restor
Restor is a science-based (free) online platform that supports the global ecosystem restoration movement by providing knowledge, providing monitoring tools, and creating an online community of restoration and conservation projects worldwide. They also organize projects related to agroforestry and community forestry.
3. E-Learnings
World Bank e-learning “An Introduction to Nature-Based Solutions”
This e-learning course introduces the concept of Naturebased Solutions, provides examples of NBS across landscapes and sectors, and discusses factors such as governance, inclusion, and finance that support the design and implementation of NBS for people and the planet. The e-learning takes about 1.5 hours.
World Bank e-learning “Nature-Based Solutions: Advancing Gender and Social Inclusion in Climate and Disaster Risk Management”
This course focuses on integrating gender and social inclusion with Naturebased Solutions for Climate and Disaster Risk Management. It highlights why inclusive approaches are essential for effective and sustainable NBS, with examples from World Bank-funded operations.
The course teaches core concepts of gender and social inclusion in NBS, explores practical entry points to integrate these dimensions into NBS projects, and demonstrates how inclusive approaches are applied in World Bank-supported climate and disaster risk management initiatives. The e-learning takes about 2 hours.
UNDP Course Introduction to NbS
This e-learning developed by the United Nations Development Programme explores how Naturebased Solutions can contribute to addressing societal challenges and achieving sustainable development, especially in the context of water security, climate action, and nature-based livelihoods. The e-learning takes about 4 hours.
