Exploring the potential of ecosystem-based approaches

This policy brief highlights the complex nature of environmental challenges and makes recommendations for the integration of ecosystem-based approaches within Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) science, policy and practice.

The brief recommends the following for closing the gaps in ecosystem-based approaches:

• Science demonstrates the benefits of adopting a more interdisciplinary approach to tackling climate change and climate hazards by using ecosystem-based principles and practices.
• Knowledge from all available sources, especially local knowledge, should be fully integrated into strategies and vulnerability assessments.
• The use of ecosystem-based approaches makes a strong case for the integration of DRR and CCA goals.
• Ecosystem-based approaches respond adaptively to immediate changes and sustain the system in the long-term by building buffers, capacity and resilience.
• Ecosystem-based approaches can be mainstreamed and effectively applied by working across sectors, e.g. public, private and local community actors and institutions.
• National processes, e.g. community-based actions designed to empower the local communities, need to be effectively informed and supported.
• Incentives such as microfinance can help support the long-term sustainable management of ecosystem-based projects.
• Long-term monitoring is needed to improve the design and governance of ecosystem-based approaches – guidelines can help provide evidence-based results from different initiatives.
• As multiple communities can be part of the same landscape, larger spatial dimensions should also be considered to avoid unintended consequences that benefit one community but compromise another.