Overview and Exploration of Nature-Based Flooding Solutions: The Green Transition

Nature protection and restoration are necessary for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Nature markets are valued at $7 trillion (Climate Action, 28 September 2022). NBSs reveal multiple synergies and few trade-offs in urban green space management. Nature provides a blueprint for urban resiliency and sustainability. There is a need for protecting and restoring our forests, grasslands, wetlands, wildlife, soils, water and land against exploitation (SDG 15: Life on Land). Nature-based solutions (NBSs) are used to combat climate change by conserving and restoring vital and vulnerable ecosystems. Investing in nature helps both adaptation and mitigation. They provide multiple benefits including enhancing biodiversity, sequestering carbon and making cities and communities safer and more resilient. The nature-based solutions increase the resilience and effectiveness of flood mitigation. The approaches of NBS that blends grey and green infrastructure can generate net benefits for residents. This chapter describes the steps of nature-based solutions framework and examples of NBS. The chapter gives an overview of various NBS techniques which include levee setback, floodplain restoration, wetland restoration and vegetation management. Hybrid nature-based flood-mitigation solutions including innovative digital blue-green approaches are discussed as cost-effective solutions to build back better. The chapter also describes sustainable use of natural capital through NBS.