What influences the implementation of natural climate solutions? A systematic map and review of the evidence

Abstract

Emerging research points to large greenhouse gas mitigation opportunities for activities that are focused on the preservation and maintenance of ecosystems, also known as natural climate solutions (NCS). Despite large quantifications of the potential biophysical and carbon benefits of these activities, these estimates hold large uncertainties and few capture the socio-economic bounds. Furthermore, the uptake of NCS remains slow and information on the enabling factors needed for successful implementation, co-benefits, and trade-offs of these activities remain underrepresented at scale. As such, we present a systematic review that synthesizes and maps the bottom-up evidence on the contextual factors that influence the implementation of NCS in the peer-reviewed literature. Drawing from a large global collection of (primarily case study-based, N=211) research, this study (1) clarifies the definition of NCS, including in the context of nature-based solutions and other ecosystem-based approaches to addressing climate change; (2) provides an overview of the current state of literature, including research trends, opportunities, gaps, and biases; and (3) critically reflects on factors that may affect implementation in different geographies. We find that the content of the reviewed studies overwhelmingly focuses on tropical regions and activities in forest landscapes. We observe that implementation of NCS rely, not on one factor, but a suite of interlinked enabling factors. Specifically, engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC), performance-based finance, and technical assistance are important drivers of NCS implementation. While the broad categories of factors mentioned in the literature are similar across regions, the combination of factors and how and for whom they are taken up remains heterogeneous globally, and even within countries. Thus our results highlight the need to better understand what trends may be generalizable to inform best practices in policy discussions and where more nuance may be needed for interpreting research findings and applying them outside of their study contexts.

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“…For agricultural systems already in place, soil integrity and water availability are critical to food security, especially in the face of drought and water scarcity resulting from weather extremes and management. Conservation/regenerative farming practices such as no-till systems, use of cover crops and leaving plant residue on the field, can improve soil quality and soil organic carbon stocks (as reported by Schulte et al, 2022) and reduce surface runoff and soil erosion (e.g. Du et al, 2022).…”

Harnessing the potential of nature-based solutions for mitigating and adapting to climate change

“…In addition, a wide range of institutional, socioeconomic and cultural factors hinder implementation and maintenance of nature-based solutions (Figure 1), especially in the areas of governance and finance (8,40,41). Implementing nature-based solutions requires overcoming siloed governance, as it is often a multisectoral trans-jurisdictional policy issue requiring cooperation within and between governments and among stakeholders with differing or conflicting priorities.…”

Review: biological engineering for nature-based climate solutions

“…Implementation of NbCS depends on many enabling factors from states, communities, and actors, and in perceived reliability [ 84 ]. In my group’s research assessing the sustainability of different rice management techniques, we have also seen the benefit of social networks, as farmers can compare notes and encourage each other toward more efficient implementation [ 64 ].…”