New data shows governments move from commitment to operational frameworks for nature-based solutions
Analysis of nature policies across 190 countries finds only 3 in 10 national policies include a supporting budget for implementation of nature and climate finance
– Governments are shifting from commitments to operational frameworks for nature-based solutions (NbS), but only 32% of policies include a budget for implementation, according to the latest NbS Policy Tracker covering 1,500 policies across 190 countries.
– Indigenous inclusion remains low: fewer than 20% of policies reference Indigenous peoples, with only a 2% increase since last year, raising concerns about equity and accountability.
– Positive trends: 70% of the 200 new policies added this year reference adaptation, and mentions of Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) have doubled since 2024, signaling stronger accountability.
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BELÉM, BRAZIL (29 October 2025) – As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, new data from the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Policy Tracker reveals that countries are steadily embedding nature-based approaches in national policy frameworks, but still falling short on budgets and rights safeguards that are essential for high-integrity implementation.
The new analysis, released today by Nature4Climate and Arboretica, reveals a slow but steady consolidation of enabling environments for nature-based solutions (NbS), with the vast majority of policies analyzed referring to NbS and local inclusion. These trends suggest that governments are shifting from high-level commitments to operational frameworks, but aligning appropriations with verifiable results and expanding direct access to finance for local actors remains crucial to bridging the gap between policy intent and impact, the report finds.
“We need to see money and inclusive governance behind commitments.”
James Lloyd, Director of Advocacy, Nature4Climate Coalition.
Now in its fifth year, the NbS Policy Tracker documents and analyzes how governments are turning commitments into action across climate, biodiversity, and development agendas. The 2025 update adds 292 new policies from 90 countries, bringing the total to 1,546 policies across 190 countries and regions. For the first time, the Tracker also includes Portuguese-language coverage, reflecting the growing importance of Brazil and Lusophone countries in advancing the nature-climate agenda, and introduced a neutral screening for enacted measures that may hinder high-integrity NbS, providing a more balanced view of enabling and constraining factors across jurisdictions.
With the next round of NDCs now under preparation and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework entering full implementation, 2025 represents a hinge year for aligning policy ambition with delivery. Evidence from the Tracker suggests incremental but meaningful progress: adaptation language is now widespread, and references to MRV and participatory approaches are increasing. Of the 200 new nature policies added to the report since 2024, 70% reference adaptation. This surge in adaptation-related policy references aligns with the priorities of the upcoming UN Climate Conference, where negotiators are expected to advance the Global Goal on Adaptation and strengthen commitments on loss and damage finance.
Another positive finding reveals that mentions of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) have doubled since 2024.
“The rise in MRV signals growing momentum toward stronger accountability in climate action,” said James Lloyd. “As nations work to close the gap between pledges and implementation, robust monitoring and verification systems are vital to measure progress, direct finance effectively, and build trust across all parties.”
Yet, while COP30 is expected to see a record representation of Indigenous and local communities, Indigenous people are still referenced in fewer than 20% of policies. Mentions of Indigenous peoples only increased marginally by 2% since last year, raising urgent questions about inclusivity and equitable implementation.
Additionally, according to UNEP estimates, NbS finance must nearly triple by 2030 to meet global goals, highlighting the urgency of stronger budget transparency and innovative financing mechanisms.
As attention turns to Belém, the data underscores the opportunity to translate policy signals into investable programs that align climate, biodiversity, and development goals. This means linking appropriations to measurable outcomes, expanding direct financing for IPLCs and local governments, and maintaining transparent, up-to-date legal baselines.
Key Findings
- Policy momentum continues: Agriculture and forestry remain the most common NbS categories, followed by water management and wetland conservation.
- Growing focus on measurability: 44% of 2025 additions reference science-based monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) — up from 21% in 2024.
- Stable budget visibility: 29% of new policies include explicit budget or financing provisions, consistent with previous years.
- Equity still a gap: Only 16% of policies added last year reference Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), and gender-responsive or rights-based safeguards remain limited.
- Lifecycle transparency: A new audit identified 22 repealed policies, helping ensure the Tracker reflects the current legal landscape.
As part of efforts to track the state of NbS implementation ahead of COP30, Nature4Climate is also releasing the latest results from its Commitment Tracker — a transparency tool that monitors whether organizations have published evidence of action on nature-related commitments made since 2019. In total, N4C is tracking 180 commitments. However, only half of those older than six months have reported implementation progress this year, a slight decline from 52% in 2024.
** For more information or interviews, please contact: Joshua Goldman – joshua.goldman@greenhouse.agency
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About the Policy Tracker
The NbS Policy Tracker, developed by N4C in collaboration with Arboretica, is the most comprehensive global analysis of nature-based solutions policies to date. It documents how governments embed NbS into national legislation and budget instruments—covering laws, regulations, strategies, and major public investment programs. With a database of 1,546 policies across 190 countries and regions, the Tracker combines automated data collection with expert review to highlight effective policy models, enabling conditions, and critical gaps.
About Nature4Climate
Nature4Climate is a coalition of organizations across the environmental sector, dedicated to raising the profile of nature as a solution for a more sustainable, equitable and nature-positive future. Our goal is to accelerate the implementation of nature-based solutions (NbS) on a global scale, using communications, advocacy and movement building to catalyse government action and private sector investment into the protection, restoration and sustainable management of ecosystems. The ultimate objective is to unlock nature’s full climate potential to mitigate 10 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually by 2030.