Target 11
Restore, Maintain and Enhance Nature’s Contributions to People
Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services, such as regulation of air, water, and climate, soil health, pollination and reduction of disease risk, as well as protection from natural hazards and disasters, through nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem- based approaches for the benefit of all people and nature.
Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services, such as regulation of air, water, and climate, soil health, pollination and reduction of disease risk, as well as protection from natural hazards and disasters, through nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem- based approaches for the benefit of all people and nature.
Rationale
GSAP
Nature-based solutions and green infrastructure approaches explicitly designed to benefit wild species, such as the restoration of ecological networks, contributes to species viability, ecosystem service provision, and resilience to climate change.
Primary tools and resources
IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is a user-friendly framework for the verification, design, and scaling up of NbS. The Standard contains 8 Criteria and 28 Indicators and aims to provides users with a robust framework for designing NbS. The Standard is designed to support users to apply, strengthen, and improve the effectiveness, sustainability, and adaptability of their NbS interventions. It also provides a mechanism for developing a consistent approach to NbS.
Guidelines for planning and monitoring corporate biodiversity performance
These guidelines offer an approach for developing a corporate-level biodiversity strategic plan, including measurable goals and objectives and a set of core linked indicators, that will allow companies to measure their biodiversity performance across their operations. The Guidelines can be used by any company in any sector that has impacts and dependencies on biodiversity, whether large or small, national or multinational. They are aimed at sustainability teams, managers and other company staff whose roles include strategic planning and reporting related to biodiversity. The focus is on a full-cycle, results-based management approach (not just risk analyses, goal setting or indicator development), since assessing pressures on biodiversity, and planning and developing measurable goals, are key prerequisites for monitoring. They also explain how, by choosing and using appropriate core indicators and building internal capacity and partnerships, companies can aggregate and use biodiversity data at the corporate level in a meaningful way.
Guidelines for the application of IUCN Red List of Ecosystems categories and criteria
The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems is a global framework for monitoring the status of ecosystems. It is part of the growing toolbox for assessing risks to biodiversity and aims to support conservation, resource use, and management decisions by identifying ecosystems most at risk of biodiversity loss. The basis of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems is the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Categories and Criteria, a set of eight categories and five criteria that provide a consistent method for assessing the risk of ecosystem collapse. These Guidelines assist correct implementation of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Categories and Criteria by providing information on the development of the protocol and a detailed overview of the scientific foundations supporting the categories and criteria.
Guidelines for wildlife disease risk analysis
This IUCN-OIE publication provides an overview of the science-based processes and tools available for wildlife disease risk analysis and their application to a broad range of contemporary issues, including human-wildlife interactions, domestic animal-wildlife interactions and the impacts of massive ecological change on biodiversity conservation. The guidelines will be of value to those policy makers and decision makers faced with the social, political and technical complexities involved in wildlife-disease-associated scenarios.This is a companion volume to the Manual of Procedures for Wildlife Disease Risk Analysis.
Other tools and resources
Forêt comestible urbaine
Plus de la moitié de la population mondiale vit en ville, ce qui génère de nombreux problèmes environnementaux et sociaux : pollution, perte de la biodiversité, faible sécurité alimentaire, etc. Notre solution consiste à planter des forêts comestibles en ville. La forêt comestible imite l’écosystème naturel d’une véritable forêt, tout en ayant l’objectif de produire de la nourriture. Nous nous sommes inspirés du modèle de Seattle Beacon Food Forest pour introduire la première forêt comestible publique de Taiwan dans la ville de Hsinchu, en coopération avec la municipalité et les gens du quartier concerné. Des “Work Party” et des ateliers pédagogiques sont régulièrement organisés pour encourager la participation citoyenne. Cette solution apporte une nourriture saine accessible à tous, une opportunité d’apprentissage holistique, et elle permet aussi de cultiver les vertus du partage. Vivre dans un écosystème urbain qui prend à la fois soin de l’homme et de la terre, c’est possible !
Siembra y cosecha de agua de lluvia frente a la sequía en cabecera de cuencas Cachi-Mantaro y Pampas
Siembra y cosecha de agua de lluvia (SCALL), es un modelo hidrológico campesino cuyo enfoque es la crianza del agua de lluvia en el marco de la cosmovisión local. Es una práctica colectiva como respuesta a la creciente escasez de agua. La experiencia combina la infraestructura verde con prácticas culturales, sociales y ambientales. Los beneficios: formación de humedales, recarga de manantiales, fortalecimiento de la relación con la naturaleza, valoración cultural y una perspectiva de servicio ecosistémico a la ciudad de Huamanga.
Conservación de bosque en las comunidades de Boca Isiriwe, Masenawa y Puerto Azul, Reserva Comunal Amarakaeri
La Reserva Comunal Amarakaeri (RCA) fue creada por iniciativa de 10 comunidades indígenas para conservar la multitud de servicios como alimento, abrigo, medicina y agua. La reserva contribuye a la protección de dos cuencas y asegura la estabilidad de las tierras y bosques para mantener la calidad y cantidad de agua para el desarrollo de las comunidades nativas que sufren sequias e inundaciones. Las comunidades han incluido en sus planes el aprovechamiento de la Castaña como medida para obtener recursos económicos.
Gobernanza para la adaptación en Chiapas – México
Chiapas es un país mega diverso y altamente vulnerable al cambio climático. Es uno de los estados con ingresos más bajos de México y la mayoría de la población vive en áreas rurales. Las comunidades locales implementan medidas de conservación y AbE, pero se necesitan más mecanismos financieros y una mejor participación y gobernanza multinivel.
Esta solución crea un modelo de gobierno participativo y multidimensional (BB1) y utiliza un enfoque por ecosistemas (BB2). Fortalece el Consejo Asesor de Cambio Climático de Chiapas (CCAD), la plataforma para la participación pública y el consejo asesor de la Comisión de Coordinación de Cambio Climático de la Secretaría. La solución se centró en reactivar este Consejo para que se convierta en un puente entre la formulación de políticas y la acción de adaptación local.
Ganadería amigable con el medioambiente en la Región Trifinio
La ganadería es una de las actividades productivas con mayor potencial en la Región Trifinio, donde colindan El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras. Para muchas familias ya es una de sus principales fuentes de ingreso. No obstante, la mayoría de las unidades de producción ganadera se encuentran ubicadas en suelos de ladera, y se caracterizan por un pastoreo extensivo. Estos sistemas tradicionales o convencionales de producción tienen un fuerte impacto sobre el medioambiente, son poco rentables y vulnerables a efectos del cambio climático. La solución promovió un manejo más diversificado e intensivo en más de 100 unidades de producción piloto. Los ganaderos integraron de forma complementaria prácticas de protección del medioambiente, aumento de la productividad, y de mejora en sus capacidades de comercialización de leche.
Agricultura para empoderar comunidades y conservar servicios ecosistémicos
Fondo para la Paz (FPP) trabaja con comunidades indígenas en 5 estados de México; la agricultura forma parte de una línea dentro del proceso de desarrollo con el objetivo de empoderar y fortalecer a las comunidades y su organizaón, con una actividad que conserve servicios ecositémicos y biodiversidad, y promueva el desarrollo de capacidades y competencias. FPP tiene esta línea de trabajo en Veracruz, San Luis y Oaxaca trabajando con café, vainilla y maíz. La finalidad es incrementar ingresos y cambiar paradigmas sobre conservación y agricultura. Trabajamos con las personas para buscar que se responsabilicen de su proceso de desarrollo, de su ambiente y de las acciones que realizaran en el futuro, tomando la agricultura como el camino yel desarrollo es el último objetivo por alcanzar. Para lograr esto, trabajamos con cada comunidad de to 10 – 15 años, buscando el desarrollo y doonde las comunidades sean autogestivas, cohesionadas y con visión de desarrollo.
Cultivo de frutales y café en sistemas agroforestales con prácticas agroecológicas para mejorar la recarga hídrica en la Región Trifinio
En la Región Trifinio colindan 3 grandes cuencas hidrográficas que proveen vitales servicios ecosistémicos a El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras. La cuenca del Río Lempa es por ej. clave para el abastecimiento en agua de la capital de El Salvador. En vista de mejorar la recarga hídrica en la Región Trifinio se promovió y acompañó un cambio de uso de suelo con pequeños productores de escasos recursos, viviendo hasta entonces de una agricultura de subsistencia con bajos rendimientos y poco sostenible. Fueron incentivados a probar en parcelas piloto el cultivo de frutales aplicando prácticas de conservación de suelo. La solución comprobó una importante mejora en la infiltración del agua en los suelos. Además, fortaleció el tejido social en las microcuencas piloto promoviendo el intercambio entre los habitantes y actores externos (gubernamentales, no gubernamentales, sector privado). Complementariamente se fortalecieron capacidades de acceso a mercados, lo que mejoró los ingresos familiares.
Manejo de páramos y bosques de neblina: una experiencia exitosa de gestión municipal y comunitaria en el Perú
En el Área de Conservación Ambiental (ACA) “Páramos y Bosques Nublados de Cachiaco y San Pablo -Pacaipampa”, el manejo del área es respaldado por las poblaciones locales, con el interés de asegurar la conservación y el buen uso de los recursos naturales de la zona, principalmente del recurso hídrico. Los acuerdos entre la comunidad se gestionan a través de asambleas con la finalidad de disminuir la presión sobre el bosque y páramo. A su vez, se promueven actividades productivas sostenibles para apoyar a las familias cercanas al ACA y mejorar su calidad, dinamizando la inversión pública, privada y de cooperación para lo cual se ha trabajado y validado de manera articulada con los diversos actores relacionados al ACA, un plan de gestión para un desarrollo ordenado en un corto, mediano y largo plazo.
Manglares de San Pedro de Vice: Un referente en gestión de humedales en el Perú.
El Manglar de San Pedro de Vice es un tipo único de bosque tropical que cuenta con especies de flora y fauna protegidas a nivel nacional e internacional y representa un espacio de refugio y alimentación para la migración de aves, reproducción y crecimiento de invertebrados y ecosistema de algarrobal.
En el año 2008, el Manglar de San Pedro fue designado el 13° Sitio RAMSAR del Perú. Con este antecedente, en el año 2013, se inicia el Proyecto Piloto sobre la Administración Local a través de la formación de un Comité de Gestión Participativa. Dicho Comité tiene el propósito de velar por la conservación del manglar con base en el diseño de herramientas de gestión, convirtiéndose en una de las pioneras en el manejo de humedales en el país.
Ciudades Resilientes: Área Protegida Urbana de la Universidad de Buenos Aires
Durante los años 60 se desarrollaron muchos vertederos en el Río de la Plata, Argentina. Estas acciones crearon un nuevo ecosistema de origen antropogénico.
En 1985, un movimiento estudiantil comenzó a trabajar para proteger este sitio que se conocía como La Reserva Biológica y Parque para la Difusión de la Ciencia.
La reserva fue el primer área urbana de Buenos Aires. Con el apoyo de las autoridades, comenzó un trabajo de tres décadas, y en 2011 el lugar fue designado por ley como un área urbana protegida llamada Ciudad Universitaria, Reserva Ecológica.
Este sitio juega un papel esencial en la universidad y la ciudad de Buenos Aires, brindando servicios ambientales estratégicos para la salud humana. Es un excelente ejemplo de cómo los parques urbanos son esenciales para el bienestar de las personas que viven en las ciudades.
Fortalecer la gobernanza para la AbE en la sub-cuenca compartida del río Sumpul (El Salvador-Honduras)
Los derechos de uso y la escasez de agua han causado conflictos en la cabecera de la subcuenca del Rio Sumpul (867 km2), compartida entre Honduras y El Salvador, lo que hace que, bajo un escenario de cambio climático, sea crucial la búsqueda de soluciones integrales que generen paz, desarrollo transfronterizo y resiliencia.
La gobernanza para la adaptación permite avanzar en esa dirección, promoviendo el trabajo multidimensional (multinivel y multisectorial), participativo, flexible y ecosistémico. Así, buscando el uso sostenible del agua como necesidad de adaptación en Sumpul, se reforzaron estructuras existentes de gobernanza, ampliando su representación, conocimientos y capacidad de gestión. A través del Comité Comunitario Binacional, se logró construir una agenda común basada en la construcción de confianza, diálogo y articulación de los actores de la cuenca alta. La agenda consideró la implementación de sistemas agroforestales y la conservación de suelos y fuentes de agua.
Desarrollo sostenible, adaptación al cambio climático y OMEC en zona buffer del Parque Nacional Tamá
El PNN Tamá es una estrella hídrica que abastece sectores productivos y comunidades de varios Departamentos al nororiente de Colombia y Estados al occidente de Venezuela. La falta desarrollo local, el conflicto armado, así como el cambio climático y la variabilidad climática han generado presiones frente al uso del suelo en la zona aledaña del PNN Tamá. Como solución, desde Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia innovamos la producción local sostenible de sistemas agrofroestales de café, el monitoreo participativo de recurso hídrico y las alianzas para la gestión de recursos, con lo cual se han fortalecido las inversiones y procesos de relacionamiento con actores estratégicos en favor de la conservación de los servicios ecosistémicos que brinda el Parque. Adicionalmente, hemos apoyado la declaratoria de Reservas Naturales de la Sociedad Civil, rodeando y protegiendo al PNN Tamá con áreas protegidas privadas manejadas por las comunidades.
Solutions and case studies
Integrating Photovoltaics with Water Retention and Ecological Restoration in Arid Regions
This solution demonstrates how large-scale solar energy development can be aligned with nature-based solutions (NbS) to address land degradation, water scarcity, and climate resilience. Implemented in Yulin, Shaanxi Province, and Yinchuan, Ningxia Province, the projects integrate photovoltaic infrastructure with ecological restoration and water retention strategies, transforming degraded sandy land into multifunctional landscapes.
Beneath the solar panels, water-retaining agents are incorporated into the soil to form distributed “micro-reservoirs” that capture limited rainfall, reduce evaporation, and support vegetation growth. The resulting vegetation has shown strong establishment compared to typical solar farm conditions. This improved vegetation cover enhances soil stability, reduces desertification risks, and strengthens ecosystem resilience, while maintaining efficient energy production with reduced cleaning frequency and lower water demand.
Revitalization of water and wet habitats in SRP Obedska bara
The project idea of was to revitalize and manage the wetland habitats in the Special Nature Reserve “Obedska bara” by implementing a nature-based Solution (NbS), namely through extensive grazing by a herd of water buffalo. Managed by a local farmer, and in cooperation with the protected area manager (Public Enterprise Vojvodinašume) and the BirdLife partner (Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia), the problem posed by overgrown vegetation and reduced water flow was greatly reduced.
The main goal of the project was to clear up 25 ha of overgrown wet meadows, ponds, and forest edges by grazing water buffalo and to remove invasive plant species, creating “open water mirrors” and attracting more birds to reside in the area. The project also conducted activities to strengthen and raise the awareness of the local community about the importance of preserving wetland habitats.
Natural measures for ecological Gradac
The Public Water Management Company “Srbijavode”, in cooperation with the protected area manager “Ecological Society Gradac” achieved significant ecological restoration and educational outreach in the Gradac River area. The project involved riverbed clearing by mechanically removing obstacles to river flow, such as large fallen tree trunks, stumps and over 3,500 m³ of sediment, to enhance river flow and restore ecological balance. PWC “Srbijavode” implemented bioengineering interventions by installing willow-wattle structures to provide a nature-based solution for preventing riverbank erosion along a pilot area of 150 m. Throughout the project, scientists from the Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” conducted biodiversity assessments to ensure minimal negative impact on the ecosystem and to highlight the Gradac River’s good water quality. The Ecological Society Gradac engaged with over 250 primary school students in the Valjevo area through educational workshops.
Local voices, sustainable forests: Participatory landscape restoration
In many African countries, agricultural growth remains a key driver of development. Agriculture ensures food security and is a source of rural income and employment. However, most small farms suffer from low productivity due to soil degradation, a lack of inputs and knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices, and the effects of climate change.
In Côte d’Ivoire, these challenges are amplified by deforestation: forest cover has fallen from around 16 million hectares in the 1960s to 2.5 million today, weakening ecosystems and soil fertility while increasing rural vulnerability.
The Participatory Household-Level Restoration Plan (PPR) offers an inclusive approach where each household aligns its vision, needs, and priorities with forest restoration. By placing rural families at the heart of planning, implementation, and monitoring, the PPR promotes sustainable restoration.
Ceasing Harmful Coastal Construction Subsidies to Protect Biodiversity in the Surroundings of the Mrigadayavan Palace, Thailand
The Mrigadayavan Palace, built in 1924 between the beach towns of Cha-Am and Hua Hin, was the summer house of King Vajiravudh, who ruled until 1925. To prevent coastal erosion and protect this cultural landmark, The Marine Department of Thailand (Ministry of Transport) constructed groins, seawalls, and jetties along the beach near the palace. These rigid structures cost USD 8.4 million in subsidies.
National experts, partners, and the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) measured the impact of subsidies on ecosystems in Thailand. After the team found that rigid coastal structures had accelerated erosion instead of preventing it, they presented these results to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment).
As a result, the Thai cabinet ceased subsidies for coastal rigid structures near the palace. Existing structures were replaced with nature-based solutions, restoring the ecosystem and protecting cultural heritage.
Diverse Culture Based on the Satoyama Initiative of Shuanglianpi Pond (Yilan, Taiwan)
The Shuanglianpi Settlement, located in the mountains of Yilan, is named after Shuanglianpi Pond. Known for once hosting a third of Taiwan’s native aquatic plant species, the area was designated as the “Yilan County Shuanglianpi WildlifeRefuge” in 2003 to protect its freshwater plants.
This designation and land expropriation led to longstanding conflicts among residents, public
sectors, and externalgroups. In 2018, the Yilan Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency began interviewing local elders and residents, uncovering a shared memory: the damaged century- old irrigation canal. Most residents expressed support for restoring the canal torebuild relationships, foster communication, and establish a partnership basedon mutual support. To advance sustainable development, the Branch invited local partners to join resilience
assessment workshops (RAWs) in 2022 to identify priorities and formedan interdepartmental platform for ongoing adaptive co-management of Shuanglianpi.
Scalable Model for Sustainable Coffee Farming in Panama
In Panama’s western highlands, small coffee farmers face growing pressures from pests, plant diseases and climate change. Heavy reliance on chemical pesticides has harmed biodiversity, degraded soils and threatened pollinators. This solution shows how endophytic fungi, microorganisms that live naturally inside plants, can serve as effective biological pest control adapted to local conditions. Fungal strains were identified and transformed into low-cost formulations that were tested on coffee farms, where they significantly reduced the need for chemical inputs. The initiative brings together scientists, government institutions and local communities, with a strong focus on training and empowering women farmers. By addressing biodiversity loss, land degradation and gaps in technical capacity, the project strengthens sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience. Farmers benefit through higher yields, lower costs and healthier ecosystems, creating a scalable model for sustainable coffee production in Panama and beyond.
First Payment for Environmental Services Scheme in Cuba: Promoting carbon removal through sustainable forest management
Cuba’s geological evolution, climate, and insular geography led to highly diverse ecosystems with various endemic species. Nonetheless, declining forest cover and climate change hazards have threatened the country’s rich biodiversity. Moreover, CO2 emissions accelerate the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, in addition to harming human well-being.
To address these challenges, the Cuban government, with support from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ecovalor project, established a payment for environmental services scheme that rewards carbon removal through sustainable forest management.
By March 2025, the scheme disbursed USD 238,000 (CUP 5,709,066) in payment for environmental services, associated with the removal of 999,473 tons of carbon across 12,646 hectares of forest. This initiative contributes to climate mitigation, ecosystem conservation, and the responsible use of natural resources in Cuba.
Applying the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™
The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™ was developed during a two-year process, aiming at setting a common basis of understanding for NbS, and providing a robust framework to design, implement, assess, adapt and improve NbS. The first version of the Global Standard for NbS has eight criteria and 28 indicators, and it was launched in 2020, supported by the IUCN Resolution 060.
To support the implementation phase of the NbS Global Standard, IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) carefully selected 21 case studies around, to analyse, learn from and showcase examples of NbS good practice; and explore in detail how the IUCN Global Standard for NbS can be applied in different contexts. The case studies’ authors were provided with the NbS Global Standard’s Self-Assessment Tool, and assessed how well their case study met the eight criteria and 28 indicators. The 21 case studies were implemented in a diversity of contexts across the globe and in different regions, in equally diverse types of biomes – ranging from marine and coastal, to freshwater, terrestrial (including polar alpine biomes, forest, woodlands and grasslands biomes) to intensive land use biomes (including three cities) – as well as in two business-related cases to illustrate how NbS can also be implemented in a business context.
Embedding Integrated Water Resources Management in Rwanda’s Sebeya Catchment
The Sebeya catchment in Western Rwanda, once prone to recurrent flooding, erosion, and landslides, was transformed through the “Embedding Integrated Water Resources Management in Rwanda (EWMR)” project. Led by Rwanda Water Resources Board and partners, the project applied Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to restore 7,700 hectares using terraces, trenches, riverbank protections, and afforestation. The approach combined land rehabilitation with innovative financing, value chains, and inclusive planning. Over 35,000 green jobs were created, alongside improved soil health, aquifer recharge, agricultural productivity, and livelihoods. By integrating community-driven land use planning into district-level governance, the project laid the foundation for long-term resilience and scalability.
The Green Project Model: Regreening Rwanda Bugesera for People and Nature
The Green Project in Gashora Sector, Bugesera District, Eastern Rwanda, transformed the country’s driest agro-ecological zone through regenerative, farmer-led land restoration. Facing severe land degradation, poor soil fertility, and widespread poverty, the project implemented agroforestry-based conservation agriculture using shrub-tree hedgerows, rotation cropping, and organic mulching. Designed as a low-cost, inclusive and replicable model, the project improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity, increased yields, and diversified household incomes. Starting with just six farmers, it now engages over 1,000. The intervention shows how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) tailored to local conditions can reverse degradation, boost resilience, and uplift rural livelihoods.
Creating Lands of Opportunity: Sustainable Agriculture and Land Restoration in Burkina Faso
This project empowered communities in Burkina Faso’s Centre-East and Centre-South regions to transition toward sustainable agriculture and landscape restoration. With support from the IKEA Foundation, UNCCD Global Mechanism, and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, the project reached 300,000 people (50% women, 50% youth). It increased agro-sylvo-pastoral production, restored over 54,000 ha, and strengthened local associations and governance. Through inclusive participation, communities adopted legal texts protecting 37,500 ha of ecological corridors. The intervention improved food security, incomes, biodiversity, and local decision-making capacity while aligning with Nature-based Solutions standards. Its successful co-production approach and restoration-business linkage offer high potential for replication across the Sahel.