As the world recovers from the global recession and pandemic, investment in development projects and infrastructure is poised to surge. But channeling that investment into traditional infrastructure, often built with concrete and steel, risks accelerating greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss
This paper discusses how the Latin American and Caribbean region is on the verge of a transition from experimenting with nature-based solutions (NBS) to adopting it on a much wider scale that can transform infrastructure planning and investments for the better. NBS can contribute to equitable and sustainable development across this region, and can provide benefits to multiple sectors and societal challenges.
This study identified 156 projects in the region that utilize NBS, either on their own or in combination with gray infrastructure, to secure water supply, improve water quality, reduce landslide risk, or help manage urban flooding, river flooding, or coastal flooding and erosion. The projects use a broad range of NBS that help to restore and conserve forests, grasslands, mangroves, floodplains, riparian ecosystems, coral reefs and urban parks.