The Nature-based Solutions Initiative
Mission
To research, educate, and advise.
The Nature-based Solutions Initiative is an interdisciplinary programme of research, education and policy advice based in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford. Its mission is to enhance understanding of the potential of nature-based solutions to address multiple global challenges whilst supporting the health of ecosystems and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Top news stories
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Going beyond market-based mechanisms to finance nature-based solutions and foster sustainable futures
Investments in activities that exploit and destroy biodiversity and its ecosystems currently outweigh investments in restoration and [...] Read more April 04, 2023 -
New agenda for ecological research in the UK
A new report published today by the British Ecological Society sets out a research agenda for ecology over the next 25 years. The [...] Read more March 03, 2023 -
UK public calls for urgent action to protect the natural world following the country’s first citizens’ assembly for nature
The People's Plan for Nature has launched today and it calls for an urgent shift in our relationship with the natural world. The plan [...] Read more March 03, 2023
Research themes
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NbS for climate change adaptation
Building social-ecological resilience in a warming world
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NbS for climate change mitigation
Credible and sustainable pathways to achieving net-zero
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Social dimensions of NbS
Understanding for whom NbS bring benefits, and how
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NbS and biodiversity
Measuring and monitoring biodiversity outcomes of NbS
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Economics of NbS
Economic recovery potential of investments in nature
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Best practice guidelines
Case studies and guidelines for policy and practice
Education
We offer the Nature-based Solutions to Global Challenges Foundation course and custom-designed courses on the science, policy, practice, finance and governance of nature-based solutions for executives and public servants. We also provide undergraduate and graduate teaching and supervision for students enrolled at the University of Oxford. If you are interested in taking part in one of our courses, please contact us.
Policy
Working with local organisations, we map current and future in-country opportunities for NbS, and combine knowledge from science and local experience to develop policy guidelines, targets and indicators on nature-based solutions for businesses and governments. We also map and monitor the prominence of NbS in climate policy and provide a baseline against which ambition for NbS can be measured over time.
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Nature-based Solutions are critical for putting Brazil on track towards Net Zero
Download report [...] Read more November 11, 2022 -
Revised climate pledges show enhanced ambition for nature-based solutions
A total of 122 new NDCs were submitted last year, representing 148 signatories to the Paris Agreement. Our analysis of these new NDCs [...] Read more February 02, 2022 -
NbSI-WWF-RSPB report on Nature-based Solutions in UK Climate Adaptation Policy
Our report, 'Nature-based solutions in UK climate adaptation policy', commissioned by the RSPB and WWF, summarises evidence on the [...] Read more September 09, 2021