AI Analysis Reveals Funding Gap in Nature-Based Solutions Policies

Photo: Art Rachen/Unsplash

In a recent evaluation of global policies, Nature4Climate in partnership with Arboretica uncovered startling statistics about the allocation of budgets for nature-based solutions (NbS). The findings, powered by advanced artificial intelligence, indicate that a mere 12% of policies worldwide have dedicated budgets for NbS implementation. This financial shortfall is especially concerning when considering the estimated funding gap, which could reach up to a staggering 4.1 trillion USD by 2050.

Key Insights from the 3rd Edition of the NbS Policy Tracker

This 3rd edition of the NbS Policy Tracker, the world’s largest of its kind, analyzed an extensive database of over 385,000 online sources in English, French, and Spanish. It identified over 600 new nature-enabling policies from 175 countries, including signatories to the Paris Agreement. These policies were meticulously evaluated under nine critical criteria, ranging from equity considerations to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) rights.

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Key Recommendations for Policymakers

The report outlines key steps for policymakers to drive effective NbS action. These include:

• Publicly announcing and publishing clear implementation plans for NbS.
• Committing to policy, regulatory, and budgetary measures for the next five years to scale up NbS solutions effectively.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to provide financial and technical support for nature protection and restoration.
• Prioritizing Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ rights, adhering to the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Establishing both mandatory and voluntary measures to incentivize businesses and financial institutions towards sustainable, net-zero practices.

This comprehensive evaluation sheds light on the critical need for increased funding and strategic policy implementation to realize the potential of nature-based solutions in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.