Nature-based solutions
Making Mission Possible - Delivering A Net-Zero Economy, published by the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC) in September 2020, defines nature-based solutions as: ‘Actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems which constitute natural carbon sinks, while simultaneously providing human, societal and biodiversity benefits.’
The National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England, Glossary, published by the Environment Agency in 2020, defines nature based solutions as: ‘Activities to reduce the risk of flooding or coastal change which are inspired by the processes and functions of nature. Examples include, reconnecting rivers with their natural floodplain or creating new areas where water can be stored. Natural flood management and creation and provision of green-infrastructure are examples of Nature based solutions.’
PAS 2080:2023 Carbon management in buildings and infrastructure, second edition, published by The British Standards Institution in March 2023, defines nature-based solutions as: ‘…actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. NOTE Nature-based contributions to decarbonization could be by: 1) providing infrastructure services (e.g. flood protection, urban cooling) and avoiding the need for capital and operational carbon from the equivalent grey/ hard infrastructure (e.g. flood defences, air conditioning); 2) actively removing carbon from the atmosphere by enhancing natural ecosystem diversity and re-instating the natural carbon cycle, hence increasing carbon sequestration in the above ground vegetation (e.g. trees) and the soil that supports it. Worked examples are provided in the Guidance document for PAS 2080.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Carbon capture and storage.
- Carbon emissions.
- Carbon factor.
- Carbon footprint.
- Carbon negative.
- Carbon neutral.
- Carbon plan.
- Carbon price.
- Carbon terminology.
- Carbon.
- Decarbonise.
- Decarbonisation solutions.
- Embodied carbon.
- Low carbon.
- Making Mission Possible: report on achieving a zero-carbon economy by 2030.
- Natural carbon sinks.
- Net-zero carbon.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.