Nature-based Solutions

Nature-based Solutions

We really need to kick the carbon habit. 
- Sir David Attenborough
Accelerated climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and land degradation present a real and present danger to the natural resource base on which we depend for our survival. Numerous studies show that these increasingly existential threats are affecting societies in ways that are much more severe and multifaceted, than previously predicted. Nature-based solutions such as the sustainable management of watersheds, restoration of forests, or mangrove conservation offer systemic responses to today's complex developmental challenges.
This research programme explores how to strengthen multi-actor collaboration and other enabling conditions to fully harness the power of nature as a sustainable solution for entrenched challenges in the agri-food and other critical sectors.

Latest

Linking biodiversity conservation to human rights: A much-needed conversation at CBD 15
Blog Post
Linking biodiversity conservation to human rights: A much-needed conversation at CBD 15
We need to find new ways to agree on, and implement, robust goals for biodiversity protection

Topics

Ecosystem-based Adaptation

Ecosystem-based Adaptation

Alliance building and community empowerment for climate adaptation and resilient livelihoods.

Nature plays a vital role in building resilience to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters. The focus of this thematic strand is promoting ecosystem-based adaptation in multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder alliances, as well as empowering local communities through the use of digital data for sustainable water(shed) management.

Ocean Governance

Ocean Governance

Strengthening ecosystem-based approaches to regional marine governance

Marine ecosystems, resources, and species do not respect national borders. The effects of marine pollution and degradation are felt by us all. To conserve, and sustainably use ocean and marine ecosystems therefore requires integrated, and coherent approaches. By looking at marine ecosystems in their totality, policy makers can ensure that interventions are well aligned in order to address the cumulative impacts of unsustainable human activities.

Sustainable Soil Management

Sustainable Soil Management

Creating enabling environments for sustainable soil and land management practices

Healthy soils are a prerequisite for sustainable food production, carbon storage and the provision of clean drinking water. Under this theme we focus on some of the underlying socio-political dynamics and other structural challenges that limit smallholder farmers from investing in soil restoration and protection. Based on locally embedded research with our partners in several African countries, we develop, and pilot, "social innovations" to overcome the identified structural obstacles. We also explore the enabling conditions for scaling up sustainable land management, at local and ecosystem levels.

News & Blog Posts

Linking biodiversity conservation to human rights: A much-needed conversation at CBD 15
Blog Post

Linking biodiversity conservation to human rights: A much-needed conversation at CBD 15

We need to find new ways to agree on, and implement, robust goals for biodiversity protection
With a little help from my friends: TMG and partners at the UNOC 2022
News

With a little help from my friends: TMG and partners at the UNOC 2022

Contributions to the 2022 UN Ocean Conference
How can smallholder farmers benefit from soil carbon initiatives? Lessons from REDD+
Publication

How can smallholder farmers benefit from soil carbon initiatives? Lessons from REDD+

New SEWOH Lab study on carbon sequestration initiatives exploring what we can learn from REDD+ implementation
TMG and partners kickoff activities on ecosystem restoration in India
News

TMG and partners kickoff activities on ecosystem restoration in India

Analysing the linkages between digitalisation, ecosystem restoration and food security
Ecosystem-based adaptation can help India address its hunger problem
Media Coverage

Ecosystem-based adaptation can help India address its hunger problem

TMG's work with partners in India cited as a source of hope following its recent fall on the Global Hunger Index
Who benefits? SEWOH Lab study explores farmers’ engagement in carbon sequestration schemes
Blog Post

Who benefits? SEWOH Lab study explores farmers’ engagement in carbon sequestration schemes

Findings from research on carbon sequestration in agricultural soils

Publications

Sustainable Blue Recovery: Fostering Resilience for Marine Regions

Policy Brief

Sustainable Blue Recovery: Fostering Resilience for Marine Regions

Luise von Pogrell, Torsten Thiele, Sebastian Unger, Barbara Neumann, Laura Weiand, Piera Tortora, Julien Rochette, Klaudija Cremers, Glen Wright and Alexander Müller

Connecting People to Protect One Ocean

How can smallholder farmers benefit from soil carbon initiatives? Lessons from REDD+

Working Paper

How can smallholder farmers benefit from soil carbon initiatives? Lessons from REDD+

Bruno St-Jacques, Larissa Stiem-Bhatia, Raymond Achu Samndong & Torsten Krause

This paper aims to contribute to emerging debates on soil carbon sequestration by investigating the conditions required to deliver multiple benefits for smallholder farmers

Ampliación de Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas. Lecciones de la India y Guatemala

Info Brief

Ampliación de Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas. Lecciones de la India y Guatemala

Larissa Stiem-Bhatia, Marai El Fassi, Arjuna Srinidhi, Amelia Coj e Ana Victoria Rodriguez

Resultados del "Proyecto de integración del clima y los ODS"

Upscaling Ecosystem-based Adaptation. Lessons from India and Guatemala

Info Brief

Upscaling Ecosystem-based Adaptation. Lessons from India and Guatemala

Larissa Stiem-Bhatia, Marai El Fassi, Arjuna Srinidhi, Amelia Coj and Ana Victoria Rodriguez

Outcomes from the "Climate-SDGs Integration Project"

A review of the participation of smallholder farmers in land-based carbon payment schemes

Working Paper

A review of the participation of smallholder farmers in land-based carbon payment schemes

Yvonne Tamba, Joshua Wafula, Christine Magaju, Ermias Aynekulu, Leigh Winowiecki, Bruno St-Jacques, Larissa Stiem-Bhatia, Cristina Arias-Navarro

This paper highlights approaches for smallholder engagement, identifies key barriers to participation, and outlines options to enhance farmers’ agency.

Research for Change: Towards a transformative research strategy for climate-resilient agriculture in Germany

Report

Research for Change: Towards a transformative research strategy for climate-resilient agriculture in Germany

Christine Chemnitz, Jes Weigelt, Corinna Enders, Anna Häring, Folkhard Isermeyer, Martin Kunisch, Alexander Müller, Susanne Neubert, Henrike Rieken, Rolf Sommer, Friedhelm Taube, Jens Tuider, Hubert Wiggering

A paper proposing elements of a national research strategy for a transformation of the German agricultural sector towards climate resilience

Videos

  • ECOBARI Launch Event

    Launch of the ECOBARI collaborative

  • Scaling and Financing Ecosystem-based Adaptation

    Scaling and Financing Ecosystem-based Adaptation

  • Roadmaps for scaling up Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Insights from Guatemala and India

    Roadmaps for scaling up Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Insights from Guatemala and India

  • Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Perspectives from Guatemala

    A short film showing different perspectives from Guatemala about what Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) can mean

  • Lecciones aprendidas Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas (AbE) en Guatemala

    Live recording of event on ecosystem-based adaptation in Guatemala, 18 March 2021 (in Spanish)

  • Creando alianzas para la Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas (AbE) en Guatemala

    This video shows the importance of building partnerships around Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) as a way to scale up nature-based solutions in general

  • Building alliances for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Guatemala

    A short film showing the importance of building alliances for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in order to upscale nature based solutions more broadly

Events

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TMG Think Tank for Sustainability consists of TMG Research gGmbH, an independent, non-partisan, non-for-profit organization registered in Berlin (District Court Charlottenburg, HRB 186018 B, USt.-ID: DE311653675) and TMG - Töpfer, Müller, Gaßner GmbH, a private company registered in Berlin (District Court Charlottenburg, HRB 177576 B USt.-ID: DE306832549).

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