What Needs to Be Demonstrated: The Potential Benefits of an NbS (Nature-Based Solutions) Project in a Postdisaster Reconstruction Context, the Case of the Reconstruction of the Al Haouz Region in Morocco
摘要
The September 2023 earthquake in Morocco’s Al Haouz region caused significant human and material losses, with over 2,900 deaths and 5,500 injuries. This mountainous area, particularly vulnerable to climate change, plays a crucial role in preserving Mediterranean biodiversity. Facing reconstruction and adaptation challenges, this chapter examines the potential of nature-based solutions (NbS) in the post-disaster context. The study employs an in-depth literature review, combined with an assessment of socio-economic impacts and stakeholder mapping to identify societal challenges, characterize potential NbS initiatives, and evaluate their co-benefits. The analysis reveals that NbS offer economic advantages and a more inclusive and sustainable approach compared to conventional solutions. The identified initiatives show significant potential for strengthening community resilience and preserving local ecosystems. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating NbS into reconstruction and risk management policies. It proposes a framework for evaluating the co-benefits of NbS in terms of Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This chapter offers innovative perspectives for sustainable post-disaster reconstruction, focusing on the use of local natural resources and traditional knowledge to enhance resilience to climate and seismic challenges in vulnerable mountainous regions. The Al Haouz region in Morocco, as a mountain massif, was heavily impacted by the earthquake that struck the region in September 2023. The human toll stands at 3000 dead and more than twice as many injured. Also, infrastructures were devastated, households were affected, the landscape of the area was affected, and so on. This region is a “climate change sentinel,” due to its increased sensitivity to climate variations and its vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Also, as one of Morocco’s main mountain ranges, it provides a multitude of essential ecosystem services, including contributing to the preservation of Mediterranean biodiversity. The challenges facing Al Haouz ecosystems can lead to widespread impacts on local communities, downstream ecosystems, and even at the national level. The preservation of the ecosystems of this High Atlas Mountain range and the well-being of local populations requires considerable and innovative resilience efforts. The use of nature for adaptation to climate change and reduction of disaster risks, through nature-based solutions (NbS), has advantages in terms of economic cost and in the adoption of a more inclusive and more sustainable approach, compared to other types of solutions. However, nature-based solutions (NbS) are not sufficiently exploited and are rarely used. Their effectiveness and the benefits they provide in terms of Nature’s Contributions in the context of postdisaster reconstruction are little studied. Through this case study, this chapter aims to show the benefits that a nature-based solutions (NbS) project could bring as part of postdisaster reconstruction, in a context of vulnerability to climate change. To achieve this objective, this chapter will attempt to: