Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in China: implementation and practice modes
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are innovative strategies that harness natural processes and ecosystems to address a spectrum of environmental and societal challenges in a cost-effective manner. Although global interest in NbS is increasing, empirical research on their practical implementation within t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Environmental Research Communications |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/add241 |
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| author | Ling-Sang Sheng Ying-Ying Hao Si-Qi Zhou Bing Tan Qi Yuan Dong-Fan Xu Bin Zhao |
| author_facet | Ling-Sang Sheng Ying-Ying Hao Si-Qi Zhou Bing Tan Qi Yuan Dong-Fan Xu Bin Zhao |
| author_sort | Ling-Sang Sheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are innovative strategies that harness natural processes and ecosystems to address a spectrum of environmental and societal challenges in a cost-effective manner. Although global interest in NbS is increasing, empirical research on their practical implementation within the Chinese context is scarce. This study introduces a comprehensive paradigm and a practice analysis framework aimed at quantitatively evaluating the prevalence and operational modalities of NbS initiatives in China from 2021 to 2023. Through a systematic analysis of 168 NbS cases, we identified four predominant practice modes: government-led initiatives, local government-led projects with diversified funding, multi-stakeholder engagement models, and traditional government-led ecological practices. Our findings reveal that the number of NbS initiatives in China significantly exceeds those documented on the international stage, underscoring the significant untapped potential of NbS within the nation. The vast majority of these initiatives (96%) tackle multiple societal challenges, with 75.60% successfully achieving social, economic, and environmental benefits, thereby validating their holistic efficacy. While government-led initiatives constitute the majority of NbS implementation (77.38%), there is a notable degree of stakeholder involvement (79.76%), suggesting a collaborative approach that bolsters the legitimacy and sustainability of these projects. For local practitioners, we recommend the integration of NbS into ongoing ecological practices, advocating for a synergistic approach that combines top-down and bottom-up strategies to maximize potential in tackling complex challenges. For future NbS endeavors, it is imperative to foster context-specific concepts that are attuned to local conditions and needs, thereby ensuring the maximization of effectiveness and benefits. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4a1596d185314c14bfecdbaa7433e5e1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2515-7620 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Research Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-4a1596d185314c14bfecdbaa7433e5e12025-08-20T01:51:22ZengIOP PublishingEnvironmental Research Communications2515-76202025-01-017505100210.1088/2515-7620/add241Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in China: implementation and practice modesLing-Sang Sheng0https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2071-857XYing-Ying Hao1Si-Qi Zhou2Bing Tan3Qi Yuan4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6626-3909Dong-Fan Xu5Bin Zhao6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3530-2469The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, and Shanghai Institute of EcoChongming (SIEC), Fudan University , Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of ChinaThe Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, and Shanghai Institute of EcoChongming (SIEC), Fudan University , Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of ChinaThe Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, and Shanghai Institute of EcoChongming (SIEC), Fudan University , Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of ChinaThe Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, and Shanghai Institute of EcoChongming (SIEC), Fudan University , Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of ChinaThe Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, and Shanghai Institute of EcoChongming (SIEC), Fudan University , Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of ChinaThe Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, and Shanghai Institute of EcoChongming (SIEC), Fudan University , Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of ChinaThe Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, and Shanghai Institute of EcoChongming (SIEC), Fudan University , Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of ChinaNature-based Solutions (NbS) are innovative strategies that harness natural processes and ecosystems to address a spectrum of environmental and societal challenges in a cost-effective manner. Although global interest in NbS is increasing, empirical research on their practical implementation within the Chinese context is scarce. This study introduces a comprehensive paradigm and a practice analysis framework aimed at quantitatively evaluating the prevalence and operational modalities of NbS initiatives in China from 2021 to 2023. Through a systematic analysis of 168 NbS cases, we identified four predominant practice modes: government-led initiatives, local government-led projects with diversified funding, multi-stakeholder engagement models, and traditional government-led ecological practices. Our findings reveal that the number of NbS initiatives in China significantly exceeds those documented on the international stage, underscoring the significant untapped potential of NbS within the nation. The vast majority of these initiatives (96%) tackle multiple societal challenges, with 75.60% successfully achieving social, economic, and environmental benefits, thereby validating their holistic efficacy. While government-led initiatives constitute the majority of NbS implementation (77.38%), there is a notable degree of stakeholder involvement (79.76%), suggesting a collaborative approach that bolsters the legitimacy and sustainability of these projects. For local practitioners, we recommend the integration of NbS into ongoing ecological practices, advocating for a synergistic approach that combines top-down and bottom-up strategies to maximize potential in tackling complex challenges. For future NbS endeavors, it is imperative to foster context-specific concepts that are attuned to local conditions and needs, thereby ensuring the maximization of effectiveness and benefits.https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/add241Nature-based Solutions (NbS)Chinaimplementationecological practices |
| spellingShingle | Ling-Sang Sheng Ying-Ying Hao Si-Qi Zhou Bing Tan Qi Yuan Dong-Fan Xu Bin Zhao Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in China: implementation and practice modes Environmental Research Communications Nature-based Solutions (NbS) China implementation ecological practices |
| title | Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in China: implementation and practice modes |
| title_full | Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in China: implementation and practice modes |
| title_fullStr | Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in China: implementation and practice modes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in China: implementation and practice modes |
| title_short | Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in China: implementation and practice modes |
| title_sort | nature based solutions nbs in china implementation and practice modes |
| topic | Nature-based Solutions (NbS) China implementation ecological practices |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/add241 |
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