The promises and pitfalls of ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change as a vehicle for social empowerment

Abstract

The promises and pitfalls of ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change as a vehicle for social empowerment. Ecology and Society 24(2):4.

Global recognition of the importance of nature-based solutions to the impacts of climate change

“…Compared to degraded or artificially created ecosystems (e.g., low-diversity tree plantations), intact ecosystems are more resilient (Hutchinson et al , 2018; Jactel et al , 2017), store more carbon (Maxwell et al , 2019; Osuri et al , 2020) and offer greater protection to people from climate change impacts (Martin & Watson, 2016; Watson et al , 2018). However, the means by which protection and/or restoration are achieved are critically important, and most evidence to date shows that full engagement and consent of local communities and Indigenous Peoples in the design and implementation of NbS are needed if they are to deliver their intended benefits over the long term (Woroniecki, 2019; Woroniecki et al , 2019). Therefore, nations would benefit from emphasizing in their NDCs NbS targets that support locally led ecosystem stewardship with robust social safeguards.…”

“…Greater integration of researchers, local communities and, where relevant, Indigenous Peoples also helps to foster local participation in implementation and makes NbS more equitable and inclusive NbS (Brink & Wamsler, 2018). These factors, in turn, are key determinants of successful sustainable NbS, as they reduce the likelihood of unintended and inequitable outcomes on the ground such as increased burden of labour, reinforced marginalization or increased vulnerability (Woroniecki, 2019; Woroniecki et al , 2019).…”

Measuring the success of climate change adaptation and mitigation in terrestrial ecosystems

“…The evidence base for EbA has developed rapidly, with many studies demonstrating that the approach can be more cost-effective in the delivery of adaptation outcomes, and that it provides multiple cobenefits and represents a more sustainable approach than engineered adaptation measures (39). However, the adoption of EbA approaches is patchy (40) and the involvement and empowerment of local communities and stakeholders is essential for successful EbA (41,42).…”

Adaptation and Carbon Removal

“…14 Consideration of carbon removal and adaptation together is currently limited to two places: the discussion of ''ecosystembased adaptation,'' in which ecological processes and habitats are sustainably managed as part of adaptation strategies, 15,16 and the discussion of social ''co-benefits'' of carbon removal techniques, 17,18 of which adaptation could be one. These publications-which are often searching for ''win-win'' situations 19 are informative, but do not explore the full range of interactions between the two responses. As the field of carbon removal advances, a systematic framework for exploring carbon removaladaptation interactions is needed.…”