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Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions Public Consultation - English

What are Nature-based Solutions and why do we need a standard?

Sustainable solutions are needed to meet societal challenges; solutions that benefit both human well-being and biodiversity. When seeking to address food and water security, economic and social development, human health, disaster risk reduction or climate change challenges, Nature-based Solutions offer an approach that can be both sustainable while offering multiple benefits to people and nature alike.



Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are “actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits” (IUCN Resolution WCC-2016-Res-069).

To benefit from the full potential of NbS, a standard is required in order to:
  • Create a common language and understanding
  • Engage relevant stakeholders
  • Safeguard nature from overexploitation
  • Increase demand and supply of interventions
  • Incentivise positive sustainable change

Developing a Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions
To address these needs and mainstream NbS, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is developing the Global Standard for this concept, financially supported by AfD. The IUCN is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its 1,300 Member organisations and the input of 14,500 experts (in the form of specific commissions).

To develop the first Global Standard for the design and verification of NbS, the Global Ecosystem Management Programme and Commission have been engaging with relevant stakeholders, both within and outside IUCN, while building upon previous work on defining NbS (Cohen-Shacham, 2016).

For this standard to be relevant and useful across sectors and regions, a participatory development process is required; we need your feedback.

Why you should take part in this public consultation
The goal of this survey is to solicit feedback from across the diverse range of stakeholders connected to NbS. This includes but is not limited to IUCN members, commissions and secretariat, the private sector, UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs, academics and governments. Because NbS are an intersectional solution, it is important that we gather feedback from different sectors and regions.

In January 2019, IUCN released the first draft of the Global Standard (link), running a six week consultation seeking to engage all relevant stakeholders. That public consultation consisted of an online questionnaire that gathered information on accessibility, vocabulary, barriers, gaps and opportunities. The results (link) were analysed and discussed at a meeting in Washington DC in May, with a small IUCN working group which led to the development of the second draft of the Global Standard for NbS.

Now, in line with ISEAL requirements, IUCN is releasing the second draft of the Global Standard for NbS. To make sure no one is left behind, this public consultation aims at reaching the sectors and regions where the first public consultation failed to garner enough results. Through this participatory approach, we will gather feedback on stakeholder-group-specific opportunities/barriers to the standard and the feasibility of the proposed form of self-assessment.

How we will use the responses
Please note that your contact details will not be used for any other purpose than for the consultation and development of the Global Standard. All data will be handled in accordance with IUCN data policy (link).

Thank you for your time
For more information and related publications check out the IUCN webpage on the Global Standard (link). If you are having any problems completing the survey, or have any questions, please contact Daisy Hessenberger from the Ecosystem Management Programme at nbsstandard@iucn.org
1. Contact info *This question is required.
2. Which societal challenges do you work on/are interested in? Answering this question will allow us to ensure we have gathered enough feedback across sectors.
  • * This question is required.
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