Practicability of nature based solutions in most African cities- Dr. Rhadika Murti
Most evidently, nature based solutions are fast evolving in the recent times as highly practicable in addressing the seven societal challenges; inclusive of climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, economic and social development, human health, food security, water security and environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.
The utmost target of nature-based solutions interventions is to establish a sustainable equilibrium between natural ecosystem conservation and management and socio-economic welfare of adjacent communities around the globe.
Nature based solutions have taken trend more significantly in the rural than urban set-ups. Does this mean it is less or not practical in urban centers? Most urban centers around the African continent are fast growing and thus evident is simultaneous reduction in vegetation cover and increased gas emissions. According to Dr. Radhika Murti, Director Global Ecosystems Management Programme of IUCN, a complementary approach to urban Nature Based Solutions implementation should take into account use of both natural and grey infrastructure, so as to build and retain the resilience of cities to adapt to the NBS interventions.
Around the African continent, cases of application of Nature Based Solutions have been cited. In Kigali, Rwanda, there is a new master plan foundation approach in nature based solutions under implementation by the Green Cities Initiative since 2016. The West African Coastal Management Programme, a joint initiative by the World Bank and IUCN, runs along 11 coastal countries.
Urban centers evidently are associated with high gas emissions and vegetation loss. Nature Based Solutions among the many urban adaptive measures are supported by a high practicability as they are able to address the UN sustain ability agenda either directly or indirectly in complementary ways.
https://www.climate-chance.org/en/schedule/nature-based-solutions-iclei-africa/
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