What are nature-based solutions?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines nature-based solutions as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits"1.
The IUCN has recognised nature-based solutions (NBS) as an important tool in addressing societal challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security. And organisations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have highlighted the role NBS can play in limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
At Shell, we’re investing in NBS through projects that work with ecosystems such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal zones, or projects that improve agricultural sustainability. These NBS projects absorb more CO2 or prevent the release of greenhouse gases, while also delivering benefits to local communities and biodiversity of the area.
Carbon credits are one of the mechanisms for investing in these NBS projects; each tonne of CO2 stored or avoided by a project generates one credit, which can be sold to help fund the project as it continues to protect, sustainably manage, or restore nature.