Assessing Nature-based Solution Investments for Urban Resilience

The report identifies a critical need for increased investment in urban Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to address climate resilience and urban sustainability. Despite significant global funding for NbS, urban-specific investments remain underfunded, representing less than 5% of the estimated need. Successful case studies from Melbourne, Freetown, and Monterrey, among others, demonstrate the potential of urban NbS to provide multiple benefits, including enhanced biodiversity, climate mitigation, and socio-economic improvements. To bridge the funding gap, the report calls for a comprehensive database to track urban NbS investments, enhanced advocacy for NbS integration in urban development, and stronger alignment of national and subnational strategies. Collaborative efforts among public, private, and philanthropic sectors are essential to scale up successful initiatives and build resilient, sustainable urban environments that can withstand future climate impacts.