Promising coalition for mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions

Date:

24 Mar' 2023

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On March 23, 2023, an important coalition was formed for mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions (NBS) at the New York Water House

This powerful alliance was launched during the UN2023 Water Conference and brought together a diverse range of organisations dedicated to creating a more sustainable future. These include the Asian Development Bank, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Invest International, Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Wetlands International and EcoShape.

By voluntarily committing to the UN Water Action Agenda, these organisations are taking action to create a breakthrough in the application and implementation of NBS for water-related challenges. With the ultimate goal of making NBS a widely accepted practice by 2030, this coalition aims to drive meaningful change in the way we approach water-related issues and environmental sustainability.

Promised commitments

The coalition members are taking ownership of their responsibilities to mainstream NBS by voluntarily committing to:

Being an NBS ambassador;
Promoting the inclusion of NBS as a potential solution for societal challenges in the water sector;
Presenting examples of how NBS solutions act as an alternative to traditional infrastructure approaches;
Joining, supporting or creating fundamental and applied research projects to further develop NBS as a standard option; and
Promoting, supporting or co-investing in enablers for the development of NBS, such as a sound business case and technical, ecological, social and system knowledge

Partners for Water and NBS

The launch of the coalition was organised by Team International Organisations (TIO) at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) along with EcoShape. Being a part of the RVO and having a strong focus on the application of NBS, Partners for Water applauds this collaboration and is looking forward to impactful results.

Over the past few years, we have already been working closely together on a number of projects with coalition members Invest International, EcoShape and its consortium partners. A key focus within these collaborations has been on using and scaling up NBS to address water safety and water security.

Recent collaborations with Invest International and EcoShape

Both Invest International and EcoShape have been working together with Partners for Water on several initiatives in Indonesia. And some of EcoShape’s consortium partners have recently received funding from the Partners for Water subsidy scheme for various projects with local partners. These have included a study on using natural groundwater buffers in Colombia (Deltares) and a feasibility study for a flood prediction service in Malawi (RoyalHaskoningDHV).

Through these partnerships, the organisations have been able to leverage their expertise, for example on NBS, to address pressing water-related issues.

Action and follow-up

The coalition members will develop the details of their commitment to mainstream Nature-based Solutions further during and after the UN2023 Water Conference. The launch of the coalition is a starting point. Is your organization interested in contributing to mainstreaming NBS? Register your interest on the EcoShape website.