Nature-Based Solutions

Nature Based Solutions (NbS) use ecosystems and natural processes to address societal challenges such as climate change, flood risk, water security, urban heat, biodiversity loss, and resilient infrastructure. The approach integrates conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems with societal benefits, including co benefits like recreation, jobs, and health. NbS are being adopted across government policy, urban planning, and private sector projects to deliver sustainable, scalable outcomes.

Trend Decomposition

Trigger: Growing recognition of climate risk and biodiversity loss driving demand for scalable, cost effective resilience options.

Behavior change: Governments and businesses increasingly design projects that restore or protect ecosystems as central components of solutions rather than as ancillary measures.

Enabler: Advances in ecological science, remote sensing, data analytics, and new funding mechanisms (green bonds, green infrastructure funds) make NbS more credible and bankable.

Constraint removed: Perceived trade offs between nature and development reduced; NbS are framed as infrastructure investments with multiple benefits rather than purely environmental preservation.

PESTLE Analysis

Political: NbS align with climate adaptation, resilience, and nature positive policy agendas at local, national, and international levels.

Economic: Cost effective, scalable options reduce long term disaster recovery expenditures and create green job opportunities.

Social: NbS improve health, recreational value, and community engagement while enhancing urban livability and social equity.

Technological: Remote sensing, GIS, climate modeling, and data platforms enable better design, monitoring, and verification of NbS performance.

Legal: Regulatory frameworks increasingly recognize ecosystem services and nature based approaches within planning, permitting, and funding rules.

Environmental: NbS contribute to biodiversity restoration, carbon sequestration, and watershed protection, aligning with sustainability goals.

Consumer Trend canvas

Basic Need: Resilience to environmental shocks with sustainable development.

Drivers of Change: Climate risk, urbanization, policy shifts, and recognition of nature as infrastructure.

Emerging Consumer Needs: Cleaner environments, healthier urban living, and transparent, nature positive projects.

New Consumer Expectations: Proven impact, measurable biodiversity and climate benefits, and community involvement.

Inspirations / Signals: Large scaleNbS demonstrations, green infrastructure funding, and corporate sustainability commitments.

Innovations Emerging: Payment for ecosystem services, NbS first design tools, and integrated planning platforms.

Companies to watch

• The Nature Conservancy - Global NGO implementing NbS projects across ecosystems with funding and policy influence.
• Arcadis - Engineering and consulting firm delivering NbS enabled infrastructure and urban resilience projects.
• WSP Global - Engineering consultancy applying NbS in flood risk, climate adaptation, and sustainable development.
• ERM (Environmental Resources Management) - Environmental consultancy integrating NbS into risk assessments and project design.
• Jacobs - Engineering and professional services firm delivering NbS themed infrastructure and resilience programs.
• AECOM - Global provider of design, consulting, and project management with NbS enabled initiatives.
• Suez - Environmental services company integrating NbS into water and waste management solutions.
• Natural Capital Partners - Financing and advisory firm focused on nature based climate solutions and carbon markets.
• Global Nature Conservancy Ventures - Partnership arm supporting NbS investments and scaling nature based approaches.