Blogs and Features
Stories and Insights from the Field
Explore examples from across the World Bank’s portfolio showcasing how nature-based solutions (NBS) are being applied to address climate challenges, reduce disaster risk, and support sustainable development frameworks. The blogs and feature stories below draw upon a variety of field experiences, technical expertise, and policy engagements to highlight the practical integration of NBS on the ground.
Learn more about our work through real-world examples that demonstrate the value of embedding nature into development planning and implementation.
Spotlight
Nature-based Coastal Resilience: A Catalogue for Jobs and Local EconomiesCoastal zones are economic powerhouses, supporting millions of jobs in fisheries, tourism, ports, and manufacturing and hosting nearly 40% of the world’s population. Yet coastal communities and industries are increasingly vulnerable to rising sea levels, stronger storms, and rapid erosion. These risks are further exacerbated by the degradation of coastal ecosystems that once provided protection and services to people and economies.
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Keys to accelerating nature-based solutions integration into water projectsIndigenous communities in the Andean highlands have been leveraging natural ecosystems to manage water resources since the dawn of civilization. The region’s unique and extreme seasonal precipitation acted as a catalyst for hydrological innovations, and over time its people cultivated deep knowledge of surface and groundwater systems.
Nature-based solutions for climate resilience are catching on in World Bank projects: Less gray, more green and blueLike many cities, Sierra Leone’s capital city, Freetown, is grappling with rapid urbanization. The influx of people has led to deforestation and increased disaster risk for residents in precarious areas. In response, the World Bank is supporting a local government effort to restore canopy cover and provide natural protection again landslides, flooding, and coastal erosion.
Assessing the Benefits and Costs of Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience: A Guideline for Project DevelopersFishermen in Indonesia know it from experience: the country’s mangroves are not just stabilizing an eroding coastline and preventing coastal flooding; they are also important carbon sinks, supporting marine biodiversity and local fisheries. The erosion of coastlines and a sharp decline in annual income for fishing households -- 5 to 10 times the rate of mangrove loss-- are dire consequences when these coastal forests disappear.
Integrating gender and social inclusion in nature-based solutions: a way forwardVietnam, with its vast coastline extending over 3,000 kilometres, is not only home to prosperous fisheries and socio-economic activities but also bears the brunt of rising sea levels, flooding, and storms. Women and vulnerable groups are especially susceptible to the negative impacts of disasters and face a continuing income gap.
Embracing Nature's Resilience: Combating Desertification in Central Asia with Nature-Based SolutionsDrylands in Central Asia are among the most rapidly degrading and climate-vulnerable areas worldwide. Desertification caused by climate change and human activities has led to land degradation, soil erosion, and loss of vegetation and biodiversity that is costing Central Asia over 5% of regional GDP.
