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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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 was created by the first ever UK-wide citizens’ assembly for nat March 03, 2023 -
Threatened woodlands in the UK highlighted in BBC’s Wild Isles
The rich biodiversity of the UK’s threatened woodlands were the feature of the latest episode of the BBC’s Wild Isles documentary. In the Scottish Highlands, the Caledonian pinewoods support majes March 03, 2023 -
Farming and conservation organisations present a joint vision for food, farming and nature
A new declaration, co-created by farmers and conservationists, outlines intentions to align outcomes for food production, nature, and people across the UK agricultural landscape. A united outlook from February 02, 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 New research led by NbSI and Oxford Net Zero research fellow Aline Soterroni, supported by NERC as part of the Agile Initiative, examines the extent to which existing and planned na 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 reveal enhanced ambition for nature-based solutions to climate cha 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 many ways in which Nature-based solutions (NbS) can address climate September 09, 2021