Harnessing Nature to build Climate Resilience : Scaling up the use of Ecosystem-based Adaptation - Executive Summary

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) has the potential to significantly enhance the resilience of society to climate change and could be a key part of national and global adaptation efforts. However, despite growing interest among policymakers, donors, scientists and practitioners, the current pace and scale of EbA implementation falls far short of its potential. The aim of this report is to highlight the opportunities for scaling up the use of EbA to help put the world on a more climate-resilient and nature-positive pathway.

The report begins by examining the role of EbA in helping society adapt to climate change, while also contributing to biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation and sustainable development efforts. It assesses the current state and trends in EbA implementation. Next, it explores the barriers that are currently slowing the widespread application of EbA in policy and practice. Finally, the report provides a set of recommendations on how to enhance the scale and pace of EbA implementation to more fully harness the potential of ecosystems to deliver adaptation benefits.