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Document: Benefit Accounting of Nature-Based Solutions for Watersheds: Guide (Doc-471)

471
Authors
Brill, G., T. Shiao, C. Kammeyer, S. Diringer, K. Vigerstol, N. Ofosu-Amaah, M. Matosich, C. Müller-Zantop, W. Larson and T. Dekker
Year
2022
Title
Benefit Accounting of Nature-Based Solutions for Watersheds: Guide
Document Type
Report
Place Published
Oakland, California
Publisher
United Nations CEO Water Mandate and Pacific Institute
Pages
1-111
Abstract
Watersheds around the world are in peril and risk further decline from climate change and human impacts, like pollution, degrading landscapes, and unsustainable water use. These impacts can inhibit the ability of ecosystems to regulate water flows, sequester carbon to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas levels, maintain biodiversity and healthy waterways, promote social well-being, offer economic opportunities, and sustain agricultural productivity. Climate change is exacerbating these impacts by shifting weather and precipitation patterns, degrading habitats, and increasing the recurrence and severity of natural disasters. Urgent action is needed to address these impacts by implementing nature-based solutions (NBS). NBS protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified watersheds, to address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits (IUCN, 2016). Investment in NBS offers a mechanism to restore degraded watersheds and protect intact ones, leading to improved water quality and quantity, improved carbon sequestration and increased biodiversity, among many other social and economic benefits. NBS also support climate mitigation and adaptation efforts and reduce the impacts from other shocks, such as floods, droughts, and extreme weather events. Implementing NBS can also help advance progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 6 (water), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 15 (life on land). NBS therefore support social, economic and environmental objectives, and may be particularly important in supporting vulnerable communities.
URL Exit
https://ceowatermandate.org/nbs/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2021/03/guide.pdf
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EM-1001
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