United Nations Environment Assembly agrees Nature-based Solutions definition

The Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) has made a resolution on adopting a multilaterally agreed definition of nature-based solutions (NbS); recognising the important role they play in the global response to climate change and its social, economic and environmental effects.

The UNEA-5 resolution formally adopted the definition of NbS as ‘actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, which address social, economic and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being, ecosystem services and resilience and biodiversity benefits.’ The ‘Resolution on Nature-based Solutions for Supporting Sustainable Development’ also calls on UNEP to support the implementation of NbS, which safeguard the rights of communities and indigenous peoples.

14 resolutions were declared to strengthen actions for nature to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Resolutions include those that prioritize ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, resource efficiency, consumption and production patterns, climate mitigation and adaptation, job creation and poverty reduction.

UNEA-5 take place in a two-step approach: UNEA-5.1 was held online on 22-23 February 2021, focused on urgent and procedural decisions. More in-depth negotiations were deferred to UNEA 5.2, held in a hybrid format in Nairobi on 28 February – 2 March 2022. The overall theme for UNEA-5 is “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. The Assembly is made up of the 193 UN Member States and convenes every two years to advance global environmental governance.

Read more about UNEA-5 and the 14 resolutions made, including on Nature-based Solutions.