Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Climate Change Adaptation: Linking Science, Policy, and Practice Communities for Evidence-Based Decision-Making

TLDR

Nature‑based solutions promise resilience and improved urban planning by addressing multiple complex challenges simultaneously. The article seeks to identify the evidence and knowledge gaps needed to integrate nature‑based solutions into urban agendas and to spark discussion on how cities can mainstream them for climate adaptation and mitigation. The authors used a coproduction workshop process to develop synthesis statements and propose strategies—knowledge coproduction, data indicators, and financing models—to advance planning for nature‑based solutions.

Abstract

Nature-based solutions offer an exciting prospect for resilience building and advancing urban planning to address complex urban challenges simultaneously. In this article, we formulated through a coproduction process in workshops held during the first IPCC Cities and Climate Science Conference in Edmonton, Canada, in March 2018, a series of synthesis statements on the role, potential, and research gaps of nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation. We address interlocking questions about the evidence and knowledge needed for integrating nature-based solutions into urban agendas. We elaborate on the ways to advance the planning and knowledge agenda for nature-based solutions by focusing on knowledge coproduction, indicators and big data, and novel financing models. With this article, we intend to open a wider discussion on how cities can effectively mainstream nature-based solutions to mitigate and adapt to the negative effects of climate change and the future role of urban science in coproducing nature-based solutions.