Resources

This thematic brief explores how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation can strengthen water resilience while advancing gender equality and social inclusion. Drawing on global case studies and practitioners’ experience, it highlights integrated watershed approaches, participatory governance models and community-led innovation that align ecological restoration and conservation with equitable outcomes. The brief offers practical insights for designing, implementing and scaling gender-responsive NbS across the water continuum.

Too often, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) fail not because nature doesn’t work – but because people are left out. This brief reframes social and environmental safeguards (ESS) as strategic enablers of effective climate adaptation. Supported by on-the-ground experiences and practices, the brief demonstrates how understanding people-nature interlinkages, addressing community necessities, and integrating diverse knowledge systems reduces risk, prevents maladaptation, and delivers durable adaptation outcomes at scale.

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, societies face growing risks to ecosystems, infrastructure, and human well-being. In this context, biodiversity is increasingly recognized as a critical component of climate adaptation and resilience. Biodiversity enhances ecosystem stability, underpins natural capital and nature-based solutions (NbS), and generates a wide range of co-benefits that strengthen social and economic resilience. Understanding and valuing these contributions can help practitioners better assess the role of biodiversity in responding to climate impacts.

This brief explores how private finance can be mobilized to close the climate adaptation gap through gender-responsive nature-based solutions (NbS) in Sub-Saharan Africa. It examines the investment case for adaptation, highlights financing instruments and partnership models that align public and private capital, and underscores the importance of gender-responsive approaches in delivering resilient, inclusive, and scalable adaptation outcomes.

This brief explores how people-centered Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) strengthens the credibility and impact of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation. Drawing on Global EbA Fund and Partnering for Climate experiences, the brief highlights practical approaches for generating meaningful credible and decision-relevant evidence across environmental, social, and economic dimensions – showing how participatory MEL enables adaptive learning, local ownership, and scalable, resilience-building outcomes.

As climate change and unsustainable farming threaten the foundations of global food security, farmers are turning to nature to lead the way forward. Agroecology and other Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are transforming smallholder agriculture, restoring soil health, conserving biodiversity, and building resilience from the ground up. By blending traditional knowledge with innovation, and empowering farmers – especially women – as stewards of the land, these approaches are showing that climate adaptation and food security can grow hand in hand.

As countries dive into the blue economy, the challenge is not just unlocking ocean wealth – but ensuring women and underrepresented groups lead and benefit. Inclusive blue economy approaches, grounded in women’s empowerment, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for adaptation, and community-driven governance, are key to a bluer, fairer, and more sustainable future.