In cities, we manage urban heat, improve air quality and create recreational spaces by integrating green infrastructure alongside gray. Parks, green buildings and sustainable drainage systems can be designed to support biodiversity while improving the health and well-being of residents.
These hybrid NbS approaches contribute to industry innovation, transform industry practices and generate valuable data to strengthen the business case for future NbS.
NbS for Arcadis increasingly recognizes nature as our strongest ally when it comes to protecting our customers' infrastructure from damage and downtime. Along coasts, the use of mangroves and living shorelines protects assets from storm surges while improving habitats and sequestering carbon.
Across sectors, NbS offers numerous benefits – such as wetlands that filter water before treatment plants while supporting stormwater management for highways – and demonstrates how working with nature protects critical infrastructure and builds resilience regardless of sector.
4. Can you share the impact of a nature-based solution recently delivered by Arcadis?
Our urban wetland solution for COP30 infrastructure in Belém, Brazil, is an example of how working with nature can transform urban environments and provide additional benefits.
In preparation for COP30, we have been working with local authorities to integrate advanced wetland technology directly into the urban fabric. This created 260,000 square meters of new green space and planted more than 2,500 native trees.
The innovative wetland system treats up to 118 cubic meters of wastewater daily and uses 10 native plant species to treat wastewater on site. In addition to improving water quality, the wetlands reduce pollution and provide important protection against flooding, making the city more resilient to climate impacts. Importantly, we designed these features to be multifunctional.
They also create valuable public spaces for recreation, education and community well-being. By harmonizing technology, ecological design and urban planning, this project shows that cities do not have to choose between progress and the planet. It is a living legacy of COP30 and a model for how NbS can deliver environmental, social and economic benefits to communities.
5. Why are nature-based solutions critical to slowing and adapting to the impacts of climate change?
Both the UNFCCC and IPCC have recognized NbS as one of the best strategies to address our climate emergency. To contain this, healthy ecosystems such as forests store significant amounts of CO2.
In the land use sector alone, NbS could save around 10 Gt of CO2. Although this potential is still much smaller than what can be achieved by decarbonizing the global economy, it is a significant contribution considering that every fraction of a degree matters for the future of humanity.
What is special about NbS is that they address mitigation and adaptation at the same time. Restoring a wetland improves carbon sequestration while protecting the local community from salt accumulation or flooding.
The actual approach of NbS, as defined in the IUCN Global Standard for NbS, is designed to take into account the impacts of climate change, both on the communities and the ecosystems on which they depend. By integrating NbS, we not only address immediate climate risks, but also strengthen the long-term resilience of people and the planet, making it a critical part of any effective climate strategy.
6. How do nature-based solutions benefit customers and communities?
By definition, NbS deliver economic, social and environmental benefits. When addressing a specific challenge, they can be designed to deliver significant additional benefits to both customers and communities, with value extending far beyond traditional infrastructure.
For customers, NbS can provide cost-effective and resilient alternatives to traditional approaches, often reducing life cycle costs through reduced maintenance requirements, less downtime and longer asset life. They also support regulatory compliance and increase reputation by visibly contributing to sustainability and climate goals.
For communities, NbS improve quality of life by creating green spaces, improving air and water quality, and reducing risks from floods, heat waves or other climate impacts.
These solutions promote social well-being, promote recreation, and often stimulate local economies through increased property values and tourism. By integrating natural processes into project design, NbS delivers co-benefits such as carbon sequestration, ecosystem restoration and health improvements, creating long-term, sustainable value for our customers and communities.