Global trends in scaling nature-based solutions for disaster risk reduction

This study highlights global research trends in scaling nature‑based solutions (NbS) for disaster risk reduction, drawing on a bibliometric analysis of 1,359 peer‑reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2024. It examines how NbS are being used to address hydrometeorological hazards—including flooding, coastal risks, soil erosion, landslides, drought and urban climate impacts—while identifying six major thematic clusters and the countries, institutions and journals leading the field. The study explains why interest in NbS has surged since 2020, how research networks have evolved, and where significant gaps remain, particularly regarding long‑term effectiveness, governance, and equity. 

The study recommends strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, improving evidence on long‑term performance, and addressing geographic and thematic imbalances, especially the underrepresentation of the Global South. It stresses the need for more inclusive governance, better monitoring tools, and policies that support scaling NbS in diverse contexts. Lessons learned point to the importance of combining NbS with conventional infrastructure, embedding community participation in design and implementation, and aligning NbS strategies with national climate and disaster risk reduction frameworks to ensure durable, equitable and context‑appropriate solutions.