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Promoting Nature-Based Solutions in Disaster Risk Reduction

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By Knowledge Network – Staff member

‘It’s nature but nature with all those benefits for people’

Beira Park in Mozambique: Examples of NBS in action

World Bank NBS experts from GFDRR, Brenden Jongman and Boris Van Zanten, were the main speakers at the event. They took us through examples of how Nature-Based Solutions are being used creatively and successfully in urban planning worldwide; for example in Beira, Mozambique, where a new urban park has led to increased green space in the city, as well as a generating income (eg through a small entrance fee for festivals etc). 

In Bogota, Colombia, meanwhile, an urban resilience management project has resulted in significant environmental recuperation for the city.

Green and Grey

Jongman emphasised the need for a combination of ‘green and grey’ systems in urban planning. He underlined that green space in cities can actually help to reduce temperatures by between 3-5 degrees, which can save lives. 

‘It is better to prevent than solve an issue’

Global use of European knowledge

The speakers highlighted that significant advances in the mainstreaming of NBS in the World Bank’s investment portfolio are informed by European knowledge. This includes research and data developed under Horizon 2020 programs as well as direct collaboration between the World Bank and the European Space Agency.

Results of GFDRR and World Bank advancing NBS in Europe and Central Asia

In the Europe and Central Asia region (ECA), the World Bank has financed 16 projects with NBS components worth $655 million since 2012. GFDRR allocated $3.6 million of grants in the ECA region that included activities to support the integration of NBS in these projects. The EU and World Bank’s Technical Assistance Financing Facility (TAFF) | UCP Knowledge Network (europa.eu) could be used to leverage more funding going forward.

UCPM Knowledge Series

This knowledge exchange was the first in a UCPM Knowledge Series that ECHO.B3 is hosting throughout the autumn based on the Knowledge Network mandate, to build a bridge between science, policy and practice (see calendar here). 

You can read key documents produced by GFDRR on the issue at Knowledge Library | UCP Knowledge Network (europa.eu) or Naturebasedsolutions.org.

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About the author

The Knowledge Network – Staff member

The Knowledge Network editorial team is here to share the news and stories of the Knowledge Network community. We'd love to hear your news, events and personal stories about your life in civil protection and disaster risk management. If you've got a story to share, please contact us.

Sectors

Risk reduction & assessment

Risk drivers

Environmental degradation

Thematic series

Prevention and preparedness activities