A review of nature-based solutions to environmental hazards through the lens of environmental justice

Abstract

The escalating impacts of global climate change, marked by a surge in extreme weather events, underscore the imperative need to address the effects of this ongoing challenge. This study emphasizes the critical need to prioritize the reduction of social and environmental inequalities to enhance urban resilience. The adoption of nature-based solutions is considered a paramount approach, leveraging ecosystem characteristics to alleviate and adapt to climate change and natural hazards. In the absence of a systematic classification, the inefficiencies in hazard response and societal inequalities are exposed, particularly concerning environmental justice. Hence, this study extensively investigates urban-scale nature-based solutions and conceptually explores environmental justice. This paper traces the reflection and perspective of environmental justice in NbS responses to different types of environmental hazards. It provides a new perspective on the implementation and management of nature-based solutions in urban environments, emphasizing the integration of various hazard types and a focus on environmental justice to bolster urban resilience against climate change and environmental hazards.