Explore a variety of nature-based solutions (NBS) that address climate challenges. Hover over the image on the right to reveal more details.
The cost of each NBS was calculated by researchers following the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem
Services and Tradeoffs) models.
These models are used to assess how various ecosystem services contribute to human well-being and to support
decision-making around land and resource management, helping planners and stakeholders understand trade-offs,
prioritize investments, and make more sustainable choices in conservation, development, and policy initiatives.
Photo: Jitwimon Winitchaikul, Shutterstock, 1512042734
Urban parks, forests and other green spaces in cities.
They constitute green corridors that provide many benefits to mitigate the climatic risks. The most effective concepts involve the planting of trees and a large surface.
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction |  |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: Jchannell , Shutterstock, 1660625269
Small gardens used for storage and infiltration.
Typically, they are implemented at the level of a single property, near buildings to collect water infiltrating from the roofs. They are formed by strips of filtering meadow, small stagnation basins, areas of constructed wetlands, sand beds, vegetation. In the case of intense events, it can be connected to a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS).
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk |  |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: Alison Hancock, Shutterstock, 453003445
Urban and community gardens are used for agriculture and urban gardening with a positive contribution to adaptation to climate change.
These green areas can be further adapted for climate impacts by introducing vegetation and crops.
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk |  |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: Lucas Eduardo Benetti, Shutterstock, 1988304497
Intensive: Also called roof gardens or terraces, they are composed of lush vegetation and are based on a relatively deep and nutrient-rich substrate.
Extensive: Characterized by little growing medium deep and selfsufficient and low planting maintenance covering the entire roof.
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk | |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: Olga Kashubin, Shutterstock, 412333285
Traditional: Woody climbing or herbaceous plants at the base of a wall.
“Double skin”: Support structures engineered for the creeper vegetation and an insulating air layer between the foliage and the wall of the building.
Green walls: More complex than green facades, they are based on a supporting structure, such as panels or planters, on which vegetation grows.
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk |  |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: Nokzd, Shutterstock, 1782639518
Planting greenery next to infrastructure, including high-rise infrastructure capabilities such as highways and railways.
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk | |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: AaronChenPS2, Shutterstock, 2269310171
Simple! Grassing of tram traffic areas.
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk | |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: Mumemories, Shutterstock, 2218388909
Outdoor furniture made of natural materials, such as bus shelters, benches, etc.
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk | |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: Petair, Shutterstock, 2186358527
Permeable surfaces allow rainwater to through the surface into the underlying layers.
They are placed at the beginning of a train of Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS), unless it is in an area with permeable subsoil.
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk | |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: Olya Detry, Shutterstock, 2233482271
Collecting and storing rainwater for later use.
It is collected from roofs but can also be retained by all other impermeable surfaces, such as industrial buildings or car parks. It is stored in individual barrels, in underground cisterns or large storage tanks. It can be placed at the head of a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) train or deliver water for irrigation or other purposes.
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk | |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: geogif, Shutterstock, 1095161240
Infiltration basins are vegetated depressions designed to retain runoff from waterproof surfaces, allow sediment and pollutants to settle, and allow the water to infiltrate the underlying soils. Infiltration basins are dry, except in periods of heavy rain. They provide storage and control of the outflow as part of a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS).
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk | |
|---|---|
| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: Philip Arno Photography, Shutterstock, 1134861338
Shallow excavations filled with debris or stones allowing water to infiltrate from adjacent impermeable surfaces.
They reduce runoff through infiltration and contribute to the recharge of the aquifer. They purify the runoff through filtration in strata and soil. They work best as part of a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS).
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk | |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: Bilanol, Shutterstock, 2206421701
Ponds designed with additional storage capacity to provide washout mitigation during rain events and slowly release the runoff.
They consist of a permanent pond area with natural banks.
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk | |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: LutsenkoLarissa, Shutterstock, 696965635
Measures to restore the natural state and function of rivers: renaturalization of the riverbed
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk | |
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| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |
Photo: Copter Ural, Shutterstock, 2175327311
Restoring/creating connections and transitioning between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including lowlands alluvial and adjacent terraces.
| Effectiveness Against Flood Risk | |
|---|---|
| Heat Island Effect Reduction | |
| Environmental Co-Benefits | |