Climate Charter

Training and Learning

Courses, webinars, and materials to build knowledge and skills for implementing NbS across sectors.

Ecosystem Based Adaptation e-learning course

The key aim of the course is to increase EbA knowledge and uptake outside of the environmental conservation community and help participants integrate EbA into other sectors, including water, agriculture and in urban environments. This self-paced e-learning course consists of nine units comprised of video lectures and case studies, quizzes, and handouts. The EbA E-learning course is the product of a collaboration between GIZ, IUCN and IISD.

Languages: English
Access: Free

Sphere NbS for Humanitarians E-Learning

This course introduces the links between climate change and humanitarian crises, explores the concept and application of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in humanitarian settings, and provides guidance on using the Sphere Unpacked Guide: Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilience in Humanitarian Action. Through practical examples and tools, it supports humanitarian practitioners in understanding and beginning to apply NbS approaches to enhance both human well-being and environmental sustainability.

Languages: English
Access: Free

PEDRR MOOC on Nature-based Solutions for Disaster and Climate Resilience

This course explores how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can be applied to reduce disaster and climate risks across a range of sectors and professions. It examines the interconnectedness between human activity and ecological systems, and introduces key tools and approaches for implementing NbS. Participants will learn how NbS are being integrated into policy frameworks, applied in practice through restoration and protection efforts, and used alongside grey infrastructure as part of resilient design. The course also highlights the roles that youth, educators, policymakers, practitioners, engineers, and businesses can play in advancing NbS in the face of the climate emergency.

Integrating Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction into Humanitarian Programming

The webinar presented the outcomes of a UNEP–IFRC project that built institutional capacities in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, and Grenada to integrate Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) into National Society programming. It shared action frameworks, roadmaps, and lessons learned from the process, highlighting barriers, challenges, and opportunities for expanding and mainstreaming Eco-DRR and Nature-based Solutions in the humanitarian sector.

Language: English
Access: Free

CABES e-learning Portal: Developing national Science-Policy-Practice Interface (SPPI) platforms and networks

This self-paced course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to understand, establish, operate, and sustain national biodiversity platforms (NBPs) effectively. Drawing on the Guidebook on National Biodiversity Platforms and the expertise of CABES consortium partner UNEP-WCMC, participants will gain an in-depth understanding of how these interfaces bridging together science, policy and practice can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Languages: English and French
Access: Registration required (free)

UNEP and City Adapt Webinar and Courses (Spanish only)
CityAdapt is an initiative of the UN Environment Program (UNEP) that encompasses a series of climate change adaptation projects in cities in Latin America and the Caribbean. CityAdapt emphasizes the use of NbS and offers a variety of webinars and courses related to NbS in urban contexts.

Languages: Spanish
Access: Free

Technical Guides

Frameworks and methodologies to support the design, implementation, and monitoring of effective and context-appropriate NbS

Nature Protects People Learning Platform and Blue Guide to Coastal Resilience

This platform provides guides and tools based on The Blue Guide for Coastal Resilience. This Guide enables disaster risk reduction practitioners to learn about how nature-based solutions (NbS) can protect people and property specifically in coastal areas. NbS in coastal areas involves harnessing the power of ecosystems, such as reefs and mangroves to reduce the impacts of climate hazards such as storms and coastal flooding. This platform also supports users to learn how to integrate coastal NbS into disaster planning to reduce risks in coastal areas.

Languages: English and Spanish
Access: Free

IIED Handbook for Ecosystem-based adaptation in mountain, dryland and coastal ecosystems

This handbook provides practical guidance for planning and implementing community-led ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in three vulnerable ecosystems: mountains, drylands and coastal areas. It is intended for project managers, practitioners and technical specialists. The guidance is structured around eight key steps in the project cycle, and includes general implementation protocols for EbA in each target ecosystem. It also includes an introduction to EbA which is intended for a broader audience, including policymakers.

Languages: English
Access: Free

IUCN Resources and Guides

The IUCN’s resources share the knowledge gathered by IUCN’s unique global community of 17,000+ experts. They include databases, tools, standards, guidelines and policy recommendations. We author hundreds of books, assessments, reports, briefs and research papers every year. Some relevant resources to this theme include:

• Sustainable Agriculture and Nature-based Solutions
• Nature-based Solutions in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework Targets
• Nature-based Solutions and protected and conserved areas
• Nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation
• Nature-based solutions in nationally determined contributions
• Nature-based Solutions for corporate climate targets

Languages: English
Access: Free

Tools

Practical tools, templates, and checklists for planning and integrating NbS into programmes and strategies

IUCN Self-Assessment Tool

Building from the IUCN Global Standard for NbS, this tool can be used to: design new Nature-based Solutions; upscale pilots by identifying gaps; self-assess past projects and future proposals.  The tool guides users to self-assess their intervention and find out how well they may meet the requirements of the Global Standard. The outcome is a report with the results of the self-assessment. The tool is available to all and has no limits for usage.

Languages: English
Access: Free

FEBA Ecosystem-based Adaptation Tools Navigator

The EbA Tools Navigator is a searchable database of over 200 tools and methods relevant to EbA. In addition to containing tools and methods specifically designed for EbA, the Navigator content draws on a variety of relevant disciplines, including wider climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. The Navigator aims to help EbA practitioners, planners, decision-makers and researchers easily find and understand the tools and methods available to support their work. The Navigator is hosted by Friends of EbA (FEBA).

Languages: English
Access: Free

UNDRR: Nature-based solutions for comprehensive disaster and climate risk management

The toolkit on nature-based solutions for comprehensive disaster and climate risk management (CRM-NbS Toolkit) aims to support countries in making nature-based solutions (NbS) an integral part of planning under the comprehensive disaster and climate risk management (CRM) approach considering both disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change As a summary, this toolkit proposes a checklist for checking progress along the sequence of tools proposed in this toolbox, thereby helping to “take the steps” for planning NbS as a coherent order of actions for CRM. It also informs on the integration of national and subnational agendas for cooperation and coordination among various governance levels and multiple sectors.

Languages: English
Access: Free

IISD ALivE – Adaptation, Livelihoods and Ecosystems Planning Tool

ALivE is a computer-based tool designed to support its users in organising and analysing information to plan effective Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) options within a broader EbA planning process. ALivE is a rapid qualitative assessment technique that can be applied in any ecosystem, enabling the user to:

• Understand and analyse linkages among ecosystems, livelihoods and climate change.
• Identify and prioritise EbA options for community and ecosystem resilience.
• Design project activities that facilitate implementation of priority EbA options.
• Identify key elements and indicators for a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework.

Languages: English, French, Spanish, Nepali, Chinese, Russian
Access: Free

Nature Based Solutions Initiative Evidence Tool

This is an interactive map linking nature-based solutions to climate change adaptation outcomes based on a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature. This tool allows you to explore evidence on nature-based interventions, compare their social, economic, and ecological effects, filter by various criteria, generate maps and graphs, and connect scientific findings to national climate policy

Languages: English
Access: Free

Eco-DRR Opportunity Mapping Tool

UNEP and GRID-Geneva’s ‘Opportunity mapping tool’ works by overlaying global datasets on ecosystem distribution and hazard exposure. This tool highlights areas of opportunities to restore or protect ecosystems to enhance DRR. Its aim is to raise awareness of the potential of Eco-DRR approaches and catalyse increased public and private investments in green infrastructure (e.g. coral reefs, coastal forests, protection forests on steep slopes).

Language: English
Access: Free

Engagement Opportunities

Networks, platforms, and initiatives to collaborate on NbS with local actors, scientists, and policy-makers

FEBA Working Groups

EbA in Humanitarian Contexts Working Group: More shared, cross-network and inter-institutional research, learning and advocacy is needed to transform how humanitarian aid and development is done, to better consider nature based solutions and environmental safeguarding as a core component and strategy. The goal of this cross-network working group is to convene stakeholders across FEBA, the Environment and Humanitarian Action Network (EHAN) and the Partnership for Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) networks to address these issues intentionally and collaboratively, elevating and advancing this work through a comprehensive Community of Practice.

Loss and Damage Working Group, in collaboration with the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR), aims to address the critical gap in understanding and responding to climate and disaster-related losses of biodiversity and ecosystem services. By convening experts, the group will define and promote the role of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and nature-based solutions (NbS) in addressing these losses, including non-economic dimensions. Recognizing that FEBA’s (Friends of Ecosystem-based Adaptation) EbA work focuses on slow-onset impacts, while PEDRR’s Eco-DRR (ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction) targets sudden-onset events, this joint effort seeks to integrate both perspectives. To avoid duplication, the Joint L&D WG will identify a niche within the broader L&D space (nature focus).

Languages: English
Access: If you are interested in joining this group, contact friendsofeba@gmail.com

weADAPT Nature-Based Solutions Forum

weADAPT ‘Themes’ and ‘Networks’ act as hubs for people working on different aspects of climate change adaptation. The NbS Forum is a space for discussion about enhancing nature-based solutions to support climate adaptation.

Languages: Forum discussions are in English with auto-translation available
Access: Free Account needed for participation

Cities4Forests Alliance

Cities4Forests is a global alliance of cities acting to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage nature, especially the world’s forests, for human well-being. Our member cities catalyze major forest-friendly policy changes, facilitate the flow of finance for nature-based projects, and advocate for tropical forest conservation and restoration on the global stage.

Languages: English
Access: Involve your city

CityAdapt Community of Practice

Este espacio virtual facilita el aprendizaje e intercambio de conocimiento entre expertos y gobiernos locales y promueve el aprendizaje e intercambio de conocimiento para actores locales que estén interesados en contribuir a la resiliencia urbana a través de las SbN.

Language: Spanish
Access: Para más información, por favor ponerse en contacto al correo info@practicalaction.org, con copia a natalia.lopezalvarez@un.org

Case Studies

Real-world examples of NbS in action, showcasing lessons learned and impacts in humanitarian settings

NbS Initiative Case Study Platform

The Nature-based Solutions Initiative (NbSI) is an international team dedicated to advancing impactful, interdisciplinary research that shapes policy and practice around nature-based solutions, The Case Study platform offers examples of best practice Nature-based Solutions from around the globe, including in both rural and urban areas.

Languages: English
Access: Free

Nature-based Solutions for Peace and Security

This catalog of Nature-based Solutions for Peace & Security aims to inspire decision-makers and programme managers when designing climate and environmental security interventions. The platform includes an interactive map with case studies from around the world, with details of each implemented Nature-based Solution on exactly how they contributed to peace.

Languages: English
Access: Free

UNDRR: Good practices for increasing the application of Nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches for disaster risk reduction

This compendium of good practices complements the Working Paper: Increasing the Application of Ecosystem-based Approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction, which was prepared in 2023. The 16 cases presented hereafter have been collected through a call for good practice cases to G20 countries and knowledge partners. The cases cover various themes, including resilience-building, building back better, hydro-meteorological hazards, biodiversity loss, climate change, land degradation, desertification, food security, urban development, human health and water availability.

Languages: English
Access: Free

weADAPT Advancing gender-responsive and socially inclusive practices in Nature-based Solutions for adaptation

This case study examines a gender-responsive and socially inclusive approach to climate resilience in Zanzibar, with a focus on small-scale cooperatives.

Languages: English
Access: Free

FEBA Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Green Recovery

The experiences documented here, from communities around the world who are bearing the brunt of the impact of the pandemic, showcase the potential of EbA for building resilience to complex crises, including COVID-19. These lived, front-line experiences demonstrate the ability of EbA to both provide green work and economic recovery to communities in the short term, as well as reduce the vulnerabilities of ecosystems and communities for their health, livelihoods and well-being in the long term.

Languages: English
Access: Free

CDKN Nature-based Solutions for urban climate resilience in South Asia: Case studies from Bangladesh, India and Nepal

This compendium showcases NbS implemented in urban areas in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. 15 case studies are shared and have been arranged according to the IUCN categorisation of NbS approaches. In each case study, the following is highlighted:

• how the initiative was implemented;
• the factors that led to success; and
• essential elements for replicating and scaling the initiative.

Languages: English
Access: Free

ODI Nature-based green infrastructure: A review of African experience and potential and Mapping finance sources for NbS in Africa

This report explores the existing and potential role of NBS-GI in disaster risk management and climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as wider development objectives. The research focuses on the application, financing and efficiency of NBS-GI in African contexts, as well as on the motivations for selecting NBS-GI investments in Africa. The report is complimented by a mapping of finance sources for NbS in Africa, which ays out existing and potential sources of funding for nature-based solutions, covering current sources of public finance and exploring domestic and international public finance, blended finance stakeholders, and private funding sources.

Languages: English
Access: Free

A model for upscaling community resilience: applying Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction in India

Between 2019-2023, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) collaborated with the Kerala Institute for Local Administration (KILA) to showcase how Eco-DRR can be an effective approach for achieving greater resilience to climate disasters through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in India (MGNREGS). MGNREGS is one of the largest cash-for-work programmes in the world

Language: English
Access: Free

Practical Action: Nature-based Solutions Case Studies

This page presents case studies showcasing how Practical Action applies Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to build climate resilience in vulnerable communities. It highlights community-led efforts in Sudan, where integrated land and water management techniques, such as earth dams and re-greening, have restored degraded land and improved food security, and in Nepal, where a locally constructed bio-dyke now protects households from flood risks.

Languages: English
Access: Free

Greening DRC: A catalogue of selected green initiatives in the Danish Refugee Council

This catalogue of selected green initiatives by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) showcases the organization’s efforts towards mitigation and adaptation to climate change. It includes both programmatic and operational projects – as well as efforts to utilise and partner with nature for greening solutions.

Languages: English
Access: Free

UNEP A Decade of Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Lessons from the United Nations Environment Programme

This policy brief summarizes the key lessons from UNEP’s experiences across multiple countries and ecosystems over the past ten years. UNEP has also published a series of case studies related to NbS in various contexts:

• Adopting a Human Rights-based Approach to Ecosystem-based Adaptation – link
• Financing Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Cities: A Case Study from Mexico – link
• Gender-responsive Ecosystem-based Adaptation: A Case Study from El Salvador – link
• A Watershed Approach in Ecosystem-based Adaptation: A Case Study from Latin America and the Caribbean – link
• Restoring Climate-resilient Mangroves and Communities: A Case Study from Djibouti – link
• People-centric Ecosystem-based Adaptation: A Case Study from Sudan – link
• Lessons Learned: Ecosystem-based Adaptation and an Integrated Resilient Rice Model in Madagascar – link
• Lessons Learned: Climate Adaptation in Tanzania with Ecosystem Restoration & Flood Defence Infrastructure – link
• Microfinance for Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Options, Costs and Benefits – link
• Good Practice Brief: South-South Cooperation for Upscaling Nature Based Solutions for Climate Adaptation – link
• Mountain Resilience: Torrent Catchment Restoration in the Pamir Mountains of Afghanistan – link

City Adapt (Spanish) Case Studies

This platform presents various techniques and characteristics of the NBS implemented by CityAdapt, with various supplementary resources and tools, presented as case studies in various contexts in Latin America and the Carribean.

Languages: Spanish
Access: Free

Restoring fragile ecosystems and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through THRIVE

THRIVE Tajikistan showcases how integrated natural resource management can restore fragile ecosystems and improve rural livelihoods in one of Central Asia’s most climate-vulnerable regions. Through community-led watershed planning, nature-based restoration, and green business models, the project rehabilitated thousands of hectares of land while boosting food security and resilience. This case study highlights Acted’s innovative THRIVE approach – linking environment, economy, and peace. It serves as a model for sustainable development in fragile contexts.

Languages: English
Access: Free