RESEARCH PAPER PRESENTATION
Nature-based solutions for urban climate adaptation
A 2019 synthesis on how cities can mainstream nature-based solutions for climate adaptation through co-produced knowledge, indicators, and finance.
Nature-based solutions can be more effectively mainstreamed in cities when science, policy, and practice communities co-produce evidence, indicators, and implementation pathways.
The paper investigates how nature-based solutions can move from promising concept to actionable urban climate strategy. It examines what kinds of knowledge and evidence are needed to integrate these approaches into city agendas for both adaptation and mitigation. The authors frame the challenge as not only technical, but also institutional, requiring stronger links among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
The problem
Cities face growing climate risks while also dealing with interconnected social, ecological, and planning challenges. Although nature-based solutions are widely seen as promising for resilience, their uptake is often limited by fragmented evidence, weak coordination across sectors, and uncertainty about how to evaluate, finance, and mainstream them in urban decision-making.
Key findings
- Nature-based solutions are presented as multi-benefit strategies that can support both climate adaptation and mitigation while addressing broader urban challenges.
- The paper identifies major evidence gaps that hinder mainstreaming, especially around evaluation frameworks, shared indicators, and usable decision-support knowledge.
- Knowledge coproduction is emphasized as a core condition for successful implementation, linking science, policy, and practice communities.
- Indicators, big data, and financing are highlighted as three priority enablers for evidence-based urban uptake.
3
Priority areas identified: knowledge coproduction, indicators and big data, and novel financing models.
2019
Publication year of this synthesis on urban nature-based solutions.
12
Number of authors contributing to this cross-sector synthesis article.
1 conference
Workshops were held during the first IPCC Cities and Climate Science Conference.
What cities should do
Cities seeking climate resilience and co-benefits from urban nature interventions can use this paper as a strategic guide, especially cities building policy frameworks or cross-sector partnerships.
- Co-produce nature-based solutions with researchers, city officials, and practitioners from the start.
- Embed nature-based solutions in mainstream urban planning, climate adaptation, and mitigation agendas.
- Develop clear indicators to measure climate, social, and ecological outcomes.
- Use big data and urban monitoring tools to improve evidence and decision support.
- Explore innovative financing models to scale implementation beyond pilot projects.
- Link policy goals with on-the-ground practice to close implementation gaps.
Implementation Approach
The paper recommends building implementation around collaborative governance, stronger evidence systems, and enabling finance. Rather than treating nature-based solutions as isolated projects, cities should integrate them into planning processes through shared knowledge production, practical metrics, and investable delivery models.
Phase 1
Convene science, policy, and practice communities to identify urban climate priorities and relevant nature-based solutions.
Phase 2
Co-develop indicators, evidence needs, and monitoring approaches that fit local planning and decision contexts.
Phase 3
Integrate nature-based solutions into climate, land-use, and resilience plans using shared evidence and policy alignment.
Phase 4
Test financing pathways and partnership models that can support implementation beyond short-term pilots.
Phase 5
Monitor outcomes, refine indicators, and scale successful approaches through ongoing learning and institutional embedding.
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