Unveiling nature's shield: Harnessing the nature-based solutions to climate crisis

Editor's note: Sumaya Chowdhury, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an independent columnist and freelance journalist based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Delegates from around the world have assembled at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to negotiate goals for combating climate change aligned with the Paris Agreement, which set the ambitious target to cap Earth's warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

While the discourse surrounding the Paris Agreement has often centered on limiting temperature, it's essential to recognize that the scope of this international accord extends beyond mere thermal thresholds. It intricately incorporates steadfast commitments to both mitigation and adaptation in the face of an increasingly warmer world, characterized by heightened concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The accord also acknowledges the imperative to address a spectrum of challenges, ranging from escalated flooding and heatwaves to prolonged droughts.

In the ongoing discourse on devising the paths toward achieving climate mitigation and adaptation targets, renewable energy sources consistently take center stage, often perceived as a silver bullet approach. Unfortunately, this spotlight on renewables has, in turn, cast a substantial shadow on nature-based solutions, which scientists emphasize as a "cheap and underused" yet crucial tool for protecting humanity from the environmental crises of the 21st century.

Estimates suggest that leveraging nature-based solutions could contribute significantly to achieving the greenhouse gas reductions necessary to meet the 2030 targets outlined in the Paris Agreement, accounting for approximately 37 percent of the required cuts. According to the reports of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), nature-based solutions can help developing nations save at least $393 billion by the year 2050.

As defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), nature-based solutions encompass "actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature."

"Nature-based solutions" is an umbrella term that includes actions ranging from reforestation and sponge cities to restoring mangroves and natural farming. However, their applicability transcends traditional human interventions in nature, extending to encompass infrastructure developments and the utilization of technology for robust climate mitigation.

While climate change causes ecosystem degradation, loss of habitats, and biodiversity decline, nature-based solutions inherently yield positive biodiversity outcomes by enhancing crucial ecosystem functions. These include carbon sequestration, Earth's temperature regulation, and providing clean air and water. Left unprotected, these ecosystems risk further damage or degradation, exacerbating the cycle of climate change.

In contrast to conventional climate solutions focused on curbing energy consumption and emissions, nature-based solutions offer additional benefits, such as protecting biodiversity, preserving water sources, and nurturing soil health. That all, in turn, improves adaptability to climate change. So, nature-based solutions excel by seamlessly integrating both adaptation and mitigation measures at their best, skillfully harmonizing the imperative for sustainable development with strategies for emission reduction. This is why the Stockholm Resilience Center described nature-based solutions as a "no-regret" route to carbon neutrality, underscoring their fundamental role in sustaining economies and livelihoods across diverse scenarios.

While humans have been sustainably harnessing nature for ages to adapt, the escalating specter of climate change has propelled the recent surge in popularity of nature-based solutions as a way to help tackle the threat. Of late, the world is starting to acknowledge the profound potential nature-based solutions offer to comprehensively address the climate crisis by leveraging natural resources and capital.

At the COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, nature-based solutions were one of the key focus areas of discussion. Earlier this year, nearly 200 countries signed a UN treaty that explicitly recognizes "the need to address biodiversity loss and degradation of ecosystems of the ocean," highlighting the "climate change impacts on marine ecosystems."

China stands out as a champion of nature-based solutions, showcasing impressive strides and setting itself as a worth-emulating example to the world. The integration of nature-based solutions into China's policies, notably within the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2035, marks significant progress.

Earlier in May this year, China's Ministry of Natural Resources partnered with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to co-establish the Nature-based Solutions Asian Hub. The collaborative effort aims to advance sustainable development and "ecological civilization" – a concept endorsed by the Chinese government to promote the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature.

For instance, extensive afforestation and reforestation, mainly through tree planting initiatives, are the primary means to advance nature-based climate solutions. In line with its commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, China has pledged to plant and conserve 70 billion trees by 2030.

Ecosystems, everything from lucid waters to lush mountains, nurture human civilization. Investing in nature-based solutions safeguards these ecosystems, ensuring sustainable development for future generations. While reducing emissions remains a primary focus in climate action, nature-based solutions are not an alternative but a crucial tool in mitigating and adapting to the climate crisis.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on Twitter to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)