Abstract

In this report, Nature4Climate partners with Arboretica to present the latest update of the world’s largest Nature-based Solution (NbS) Policy Tracker. Utilizing artificial intelligence, the tracker has examined over two million pages since 2021 in English, French, Spanish, and this year, Russian.

In this fourth edition of the NbS Policy Tracker, we focus on identifying and analyzing policies that integrate NbS as a key mechanism for addressing climate and biodiversity challenges. The tracker monitors national legislation and budget allocations across 191 countries, highlighting policies that emphasize whole-of-society approaches, rights-based frameworks, and whether there is financing for NbS. Our analysis captures over 1,300 policies, including new entries from 2024. They reflect the growing recognition of NbS in both climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The tracker combines automated policy indexing with curated case studies. This year’s tracker identified over 300 policies from 50 countries. 40% of the new entries mention budgets/financing for NbS, highlighting a shift towards aligning financial resources with climate goals. We also see an increased emphasis on NbS in climate adaptation, showcasing its role in building resilient strategies.

• See interactive NbS policy database.

Target Audience

The NbS Policy Tracker offers valuable insights for various sectors. Academics can leverage the data for research on the integration of NbS into national and regional policies, while NGOs can use it to identify effective policy models for advocacy and program development. Businesses can explore innovative NbS approaches that align with sustainability goals and investment opportunities. Data can be accessed through the Nature4Climate website for further analysis and application.

For Policy Makers, nature-based solutions provide a strategic and cost-effective avenue to address the interconnected challenges of the Rio Conventions: climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, while at the same time making tangible headway towards the sustainable development goals. We would like to see policy-makers: 

1. Create investable Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to mobilize private sector capital to close the climate finance gap
2. Responsibly develop carbon markets
3. Increase direct, fit-for-purpose funding mechanisms for Indigenous Peoples, local communities and subnational governments