Stakeholder perceptions of Nature-based Solutions (NbS): potential, risks and ways forward

<ns3:p>Background With the adoption of the 2015 Paris Agreement, the global community committed to limiting the rise in global temperatures to below 2°C. Achieving this goal requires reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and the implementation of Carbon Dioxide Removals (CDRs). Among the 1,202 climate scenarios outlined in the IPCC AR6 report, over half depend on large-scale deployment of CDRs. A key category of CDRs is Nature-based Solutions (NbS), which includes land management among its practices, and holds an estimated global mitigation potential of over 10 GtCO2 per year. This paper addresses land-based NbS. Heavy reliance on NbS for mitigation can be risky if their potential is overestimated or if their implementation does not account for climate and social impacts, making a deeper understanding of their environmental effects and the perceptions of those implementing the practices essential. Methods This study explores stakeholder perceptions of the environmental impacts and climate risks associated with various NbS through interviews with 97 participants from 12 countries by focusing on well-established practices, such as afforestation, reforestation, sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and wetland management. Results The study identifies rain irregularity, heavy rainfall, heatwaves, and erosion as major perceived climate risks to NbS, with stakeholders particularly valuing NbS for their role in enhancing climate adaptation and resilience against the effects of climate change and climate extremes. While carbon sequestration is a recognized benefit, the primary drivers for implementing NbS are their adaptation and resilience benefits. Conclusions The upscaling of NbS faces significant barriers, such as high initial costs, bureaucratic obstacles, and inadequate policy support. The findings emphasize the need to bridge the gap between policies, focused mainly on mitigation following a top-down approach, and the land users’s immediate need for adaptation, suggesting that recognizing both aspects could enhance the effectiveness of NbS in tackling global climate challenges.</ns3:p>