Small reservoir on slopes of Mt Kenya

Nature-based solutions

UNEP supports the consideration of nature-based solutions - sometimes combined with hard infrastructure - as a way of mitigating and adapting to climate change, reducing pollution and nurturing biodiversity.

UNEP is one of 35 United Nations agencies, programmes and other United Nations entities dealing with water-related issues that are Members of UN-Water

NbS is a key focus area of the work of UNEP, including with centres such as the UNEP-DHI Centre for Water and Environment, and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Through nature-based and ecosystem-based approaches, we aim to change the way we interact with and depend on nature to unlock its full potential for more sustainable water resources and water ecosystem management, and climate resilience-building. 

UNEP and partners have launched a project to support cities to take action for nature, thus contributing to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project will run from 2023-2025 to inform, inspire, and enable policymakers, practitioners, businesses and finance institutions to promote ecosystem restoration in cities.

Rwanda Wetlands
SDG Water Quality Hub
Fresh water
Monitoring and Reporting portal
Initiatives, networks & centres collaborating with UNEP

Our work on nature-based solutions is carried out through public-private partnerships, often involving partners, collaborating centres and networks.

Contact Info

Freshwater Ecosystems Unit