Unlocking the potential: N4C launches interactive database showing opportunities for high-integrity nature-based projects

Nature4Climate, a coalition dedicated to advancing nature-based solutions worldwide, launched today (27) its beta version of naturebase. This leading-edge online platform – designed for policymakers, practitioners, technical experts, and local communities provides comprehensive tools and resources to identify, analyse, and make informed decisions on implementing high-integrity nature-based projects with substantial carbon mitigation impact while also enhancing livelihoods and safeguarding biodiversity. 

While other natural climate solutions’ existing platforms primarily focus on monitoring and reporting the progress of different ecosystems, naturebase sets itself apart by emphasizing the identification of opportunities across a variety of strategies – or pathways – to protect, restore, and sustainably manage nature to reverse nature loss and reduce the effects of climate change. This platform is set to represent the most extensive database of peer-reviewed science on natural climate solutions and allows users to assess the emissions reduction potential of various pathways on a global, national, and subnational scale. 

Data collection and verification on naturebase integrates an array of novel data and information acquired through various technologies, including satellite data analysis and land system modelling, machine learning, and qualitative research. It meticulously assembles and validates existing knowledge rooted in peer-reviewed scientific research, presenting a comprehensive repository of information.  

This repository is further enriched with information on ecosystem and biodiversity advantages, impacts on human well-being, supportive policies, and illustrative case studies – creating a robust resource for decision-makers and climate advocates. It also includes clear guidance on how to implement high-integrity projects, featuring a new Human Rights Screening Tool, which allows users to identify possible risks to Indigenous Peoples and local communities living in a certain area, as well as a compilation of reports and tools in accordance with the guiding principles of natural climate solutions – outlining that these should be nature-based, climate additional, sustainable, equitable and measurable.   

The platform’s capacity to offer access to policies and case studies also empowers and supports effective decision-making for climate action. 

Naturebase is a collaborative effort promoted by the Nature4Climate coalition and developed by global experts at The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, the World Resources Institute, the Global Mangrove Alliance, and several other environmental sector organizations. The beta version welcomes collaboration allowing users to provide feedback and submit ideas to help shape the final version of the tool, to be completed by mid-2024.  

A powerful ally to rapid decarbonisation  

Scientific evidence underscores the critical role of natural climate solutions in mitigating the impacts of climate change. These solutions – which encompass actions to protect, better manage, and restore nature – have the potential to deliver one-third of the greenhouse gas emission reductions required to avert the most severe consequences of climate change. Coupled with the reduction of fossil fuel use and the acceleration of the transition to renewable energy, the strategic focus on nature is imperative to achieving the targets of the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.  

“The key to unlocking the potential of these solutions is knowing where, why, and how to deploy them. Naturebase has been meticulously designed to address the data accessibility gaps that often hinder such actions”, says Chris Zganjar, NCS Information Specialist and naturebase project director at The Nature Conservancy.  

With this challenge in mind, naturebase is being launched ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s 28th Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC COP28). The beta version includes data on 18 NCS pathways and activities. Additional data on mitigation potential for avoided shrubland conversion (ASC), avoided grassland conversion (AGC), avoided peatland drainage (APC), seagrass protection, saltmarsh protection, seagrass restoration, and saltmarsh restoration will be added in upcoming iterations, as well as the global and national totals calculated for mitigation potential.  

Naturebase will continue to evolve through inclusive participation and active engagement with stakeholders – and this is why Nature4Climate and its partners invite all the nature positive community and interested parties to join in this transformative initiative and access a wealth of resources and tools to address the pressing challenges of our time.  

During the next months, beta users will be testing the naturebase features and providing specialized feedback to improve the tool.  

Join the naturebase community and unlock nature’s potential with us.