Journal of Environmental and Sustainability Science
Review Article
• Open Access
Unlocking the Potential of Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Mitigation: Assessing Global Pathways, Economic Viability, and Scientific Frameworks
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As the global community races to limit warming to well below 2°C in accordance with the Paris Agreement, it is increasingly evident that decarbonizing the energy sector alone will be insufficient. Nature-based solutions (NbS)—encompassing the conservation, restoration, and improved management of natural ecosystems—have emerged as a critical, yet underutilized, pillar of climate change mitigation strategies. This paper synthesizes current research to evaluate the biophysical potential, economic viability, and scientific rigor required to scale up NbS effectively. By examining global mitigation pathways, including terrestrial "green" carbon, "blue" coastal carbon, and peatland ecosystems, this review highlights that NbS can deliver upwards of 10 to 23.8 petagrams of CO2 equivalent per year. However, realizing this potential is constrained by complex economic dynamics within voluntary carbon markets, particularly issues of additionality, leakage, and permanence. Furthermore, the paper explores a two-stage scientific assessment framework designed to evaluate the "readiness" and "sufficiency" of novel mitigation activities. The findings suggest that while NbS face rising opportunity costs and competition from increasingly cheap energy-technology-based solutions (ETbS), their unique "double dividend" of delivering biodiversity conservation, water security, and rural livelihood benefits justifies sustained investment. The paper concludes that scaling NbS requires robust scientific standardization, innovative financing mechanisms beyond carbon credits, and integrated policy frameworks that align ecological boundaries with economic realities.
Keywords
nature-based solutions, natural climate solutions, carbon markets, blue carbon, peatland restoration,References
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