Nature-based solutions

Achieving water security means ensuring a minimum water supply for human and economic needs. Being this as one of the main short-term objectives in the world, the impacts of climate change and the degradation of natural water sources make water security an insurmountable challenge in the medium and long term.

Objective:
This is the public launch session for the Nature for Water Facility, a technical assistance facility designed to provide a suite of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) consultancy services for water security. The session will highlight why NbS matter, provide case studies of their successful impact, describe the value proposition of this new program, and showcase how members of the global water sector community can partner and deliver on-the-ground watershed results.

Investing in nature-based solutions, such as preserving or restoring wetlands and natural flood management measures, is essential to enhance water security. These solutions can complement or substitute for grey infrastructure, such as built reservoirs and water treatment plants. Mobilising funding for those solutions raises specific challenges, as they generate multiple benefits for a diverse range of beneficiaries - and only some of these benefits can be monetised.

This session will be dedicated to sharing lessons on successful Naturel based Solutions with potential for scaling up that positively impacts both marine and terrestrial water resources. The session brings together scientists and researchers with potential supporters in government and development to find ways of effecting needed action for domestic and industrial water and food security, as well as ensuring climate adaptation.

• The need for solutions in managing water resources is obvious and strong from local to global context, which is vital to tackle emerging water security challenges caused by population growth and climate change.