Climate security and the case for Nature-based solutions

Peter Sainsbury

Peter Sainsbury

— 5 min read
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Climate security and the case for Nature-based solutions
Photo by Mary Ray on Unsplash

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Up until recently, investment in Nature-based solutions (NbS) has been framed as an environmental commitment, one where carbon sequestration and biodiversity are the primary beneficial outcomes.

Global investment in NbS amounted to $220 billion in 2023, according to the latest figures available from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Public financing totalled $190 billion, with the remaining $23 billion (~11%) originating from private sources. Market based instruments, such as biodiversity offsets and carbon credits accounted for almost half ($12.6 billion) of the private capital allocated.

Source: UNEP

Unfortunately, we're nowhere near the levels required to meet global biodiversity, climate and land restoration targets.

The latest State of Finance for Nature 2026 report from UNEP estimates that annual investment in NbS needs to increase by 2.5 times to $571 billion by 2030 (equivalent to 0.5% of global GDP), The primary focus for the additional investment is reforestation and the restoration of mangroves, seagrass, etc. ($181 billion).

A further increase - to $771 billion per annum by 2050 - is required to achieve the Rio Convention targets: living in harmony with nature, land degradation neutrality, and limiting global warming to 1.5°C. A huge scale-up in agroforestry systems (projected to cost $126 billion per year) the main additional investment in NbS required.

The geopolitical turmoil of the past few years is prompting many governments to view NbS differently: not just a public good (with carbon and biodiversity benefits), but as a strategic asset too.

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