Introduction
Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) are increasingly recognised as effective strategies for addressing the impacts of climate change. The need for NbS to handle climate change arises from various interrelated environmental, social, and economic challenges. NbS help protect and restore ecosystems, which are critical for biodiversity. Healthy ecosystems can better withstand climate impacts and provide essential services. Also, ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. NbS can enhance carbon storage, thus contributing to climate change mitigation. Moreover, implementing nature-based approaches can often be more cost-effective compared to engineered solutions. They can deliver multiple benefits (e.g., flood control, air and water purification) while reducing overall costs. Moreover, NbS enhance community resilience to climate impacts by reducing vulnerability to extreme weather events, improving water security, and supporting food security through sustainable land management practices.
Incorporating Nature-Based Solutions into climate action strategies is essential for a holistic approach that addresses environmental challenges while providing sustainable benefits to society. Support for research, investment, and policies that promote NbS is crucial for developing adaptive strategies to combat climate change effectively. It is against this background that the International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, a fully-indexed journal, is producing a special issue titled Nature-Based Solutions to Cope with Climate Change". The special issue is expected to be launched at the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30), which will convene in November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.
We invite researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to submit papers that explore the role of nature-based solutions in mitigating and adapting to climate change. NbS leverage ecosystem processes to address environmental challenges, providing sustainable benefits to both nature and society.
List of Topic Areas
- Case studies demonstrating the effectiveness of NbS in various ecosystems (forests, wetlands, grasslands, urban areas).
- Innovative approaches to implementing nature-based solutions for carbon sequestration.
- The intersection of NbS with biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management.
- Policy frameworks and governance models that support the scaling up of NbS.
- Socio-economic impacts and community involvement in the adoption of nature-based solutions.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of NbS in reducing climate risks and enhancing resilience.
- Integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern NbS practices.
This Call for Papers represents an opportunity to contribute to a growing body of knowledge that aims to harness the power of natural systems in our fight against climate change. We look forward to your contributions!
How to send an expression of interest
Expressions of interest to contribute to the special issue, initially consisting of a 300 words abstract with an outline of the proposed paper and the contact details of the authors should be sent to [email protected]. The deadline for abstracts is 20th March 2025. Full papers are due by 30th May 2025 so that there is enough time for the peer-review. Please note that IJCCSM is an open access journal, and Article Processing Charges (APCs) apply.