From sidelines to boardrooms: nature-based solutions, no longer ‘nice to have’

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)'s urgent call for annual investment in nature-based solutions (NBS) to reach an astounding $384 billion by 2025 marks a critical juncture in global environmental policy. This target, more than double current investment levels, underscores the growing recognition that nature is not merely a victim of climate change but a powerful ally in addressing it. Understanding this directive requires delving into its background, implications, and relevance, particularly for a country like India.

**Background Context and What Happened:**

The genesis of this call lies in the escalating climate crisis, rampant biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation witnessed globally. Decades of unsustainable practices have pushed planetary boundaries to their limits, threatening human well-being and economic stability. International efforts to address these challenges, such as the Paris Agreement (2015) which set ambitious goals for climate action, and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which aims to conserve biodiversity, have increasingly highlighted the indispensable role of healthy ecosystems. Nature-based solutions, defined by IUCN as 'actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits,' offer a cost-effective and multifaceted approach. They encompass activities like reforestation, wetland restoration, sustainable agriculture, and coastal protection, all of which sequester carbon, enhance biodiversity, and build resilience against climate impacts. UNEP, through its 'State of Finance for Nature' reports, has consistently revealed a stark funding gap in this area. The recent announcement for $384 billion by 2025 is a direct response to this gap, stressing that without this financial commitment, global biodiversity, restoration, and climate goals, including those under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in December 2022, will remain elusive.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

Several stakeholders are crucial to mobilizing and deploying these investments. **UNEP** itself is a primary driver, providing scientific assessments, policy recommendations, and coordinating international efforts. **National Governments** are pivotal, as they formulate policies, allocate public funds, create enabling regulatory environments, and implement projects at scale. **International Financial Institutions (IFIs)** such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) play a significant role in providing loans, grants, and technical assistance. The **Private Sector** is increasingly recognized as an essential player, with growing interest in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, green bonds, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. **Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples** are fundamental stakeholders, often serving as frontline custodians of natural resources, and their traditional knowledge and participation are critical for the success and sustainability of NBS projects. Finally, **Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)** and civil society groups contribute through advocacy, project implementation, and monitoring.

**Significance for India:**

For India, a country highly vulnerable to climate change impacts and home to a significant portion of global biodiversity, this call for increased NBS investment is profoundly significant. India faces severe challenges from extreme weather events, water scarcity, and land degradation, all of which can be mitigated through robust NBS. Economically, NBS can create green jobs, enhance agricultural productivity, protect coastal communities, and improve public health. Politically, aligning with and leading on NBS initiatives reinforces India's commitment to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and enhances its standing as a responsible global actor. India has already embarked on several initiatives, such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), Green India Mission, Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), and various wetland and biodiversity conservation programs. These efforts, however, require scaling up and further integration into national development planning, necessitating substantial financial inflow.

**Historical Context and Future Implications:**

The shift towards NBS reflects an evolution in environmental thinking, moving beyond pure conservation to integrating ecological solutions into broader development strategies. From the early environmental movements focusing on pollution control to the sustainable development paradigm of the late 20th century, the recognition of nature's economic and social value has grown. The future implications are vast: a successful mobilization of $384 billion could catalyze a global 'green transition,' fostering a circular economy, boosting climate resilience, and safeguarding biodiversity. It will likely lead to innovative financing mechanisms, greater public-private partnerships, and a mainstreaming of NBS into infrastructure development, urban planning, and disaster risk reduction strategies. However, challenges remain, including ensuring equitable distribution of funds, effective governance, and capacity building, particularly in developing nations.

**Related Constitutional Articles, Acts, or Policies:**

India's commitment to environmental protection is enshrined in its Constitution. **Article 48A** of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates that 'The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.' Furthermore, **Article 51A(g)**, a Fundamental Duty, states that 'It shall be the duty of every citizen of India... to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.' Key legislative frameworks include the **Environment (Protection) Act, 1986**, which provides for the protection and improvement of the environment; the **Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972**, for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants; the **Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980**, regulating the diversion of forest land; and the **Biological Diversity Act, 2002**, for the conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources. These acts, coupled with national policies like the National Forest Policy and various missions under the NAPCC, provide the legal and policy backbone for India's engagement with NBS.