Nature-based solutions (NbS) are gaining traction as a critical tool to combat climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. This is evident in the growing membership of the ENACT Partnership, which now includes seven new countries and organizations. France, the United States of America, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Pakistan, and the UN Environment Programme (including its World Conservation Monitoring Centre).
ENACT (Enhancing Nature-based Solutions for an Accelerated Climate Transformation) was launched at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in December 2022, by Germany and Egypt, along with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Founding members also included Canada, the European Union, Spain, Malawi, Norway, South Korea, Japan, and Slovenia.
The new additions bring valuable expertise and resources to the partnership, which aims to:
- Protect and restore at least 2.4 billion hectares of healthy natural and sustainable ecosystems.
- Increase global mitigation efforts by protecting and restoring carbon-rich ecosystems.
- Enhance the protection from and resilience to climate impacts of at least 1 billion vulnerable people.
The importance of NbS is being recognized at the highest levels, as evidenced by statements from key figures:
- Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General: “As evidenced by the growth of the ENACT Partnership, the role of Nature-based Solutions is increasingly being recognised as a complement to the rapid phase out of fossil fuels. ENACT provides cohesive and action-oriented leadership that enables us to tap into the massive potential of nature in addressing the climate emergency.”
- Dr Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Arab Republic of Egypt: “We cannot achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement without drastically reducing the threat to biodiversity. Equally, we cannot meet the proposed targets and goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework without more ambitious emission reduction targets and more urgent adaptation actions.”
- Brenda Mallory, Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality: “The Biden-Harris Administration sees Nature-based Solutions as a critical tool to address the climate crisis. I am excited to announce that the United States has joined the ENACT partnership.”
The partnership is already making progress, with members working on the first State of Nature-based Solutions report. This report, due out in early 2024, will provide a comprehensive overview of global NbS implementation efforts.
ENACT is also pushing for concrete action at COP28, focusing on:
- Limiting warming to 1.5°C by phasing out all fossil fuels and embracing a just transition.
- Increased funding and investment for NbS, particularly for local communities.
- Stronger international collaboration and commitments to reducing fossil fuel emissions and implementing NbS.
- Robust data and monitoring systems for tracking progress and ensuring accountability.
The growing membership and momentum of the ENACT Partnership offer a promising glimpse into a future where Nature-based Solutions play a central role in addressing the planet’s most pressing challenges.