The Role of Nature-Based Solutions in Building Resilience to Climate Change: An Analysis Based on the IPCC Vulnerability Framework in Kenya

Adaptation to climate change is imperative given that it continues to pose severe and escalating risks to humanity and the ecological systems on which it depends. This calls for Nature-based solutions in climate adaptation since they involve the sustainable management and restoration of ecosystems while improving human livelihoods. However, despite their importance, the potential of Nature-based solutions in building resilience to climate change has not been rigorously studied. Also, no studies have done a joint analysis of the effect of Nature-based solutions on the three dimensions of vulnerability to climate change (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. This study thus aimed to undertake a joint analysis of the role of nature-based solutions in building resilience to climate change based on its influence on the three dimensions of vulnerability. Data analysis was done using the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The study’s multivariate and univariate tests found that nature-based climate solutions influenced the three dimensions of climate change vulnerability (Exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity). The three dimensions of vulnerability were also found to be interconnected and have various relationships between them. The study will help understand how nature-based solutions build resilience to climate change and inform their design and implementation