Case studies
Baix Empordà
Catalonia, Spain
Since late 2022, the Co-Management Maritime Board of Litoral del Baix Empordà has pioneered a collaborative governance model to align maritime activities with the conservation of natural, cultural, and landscape heritage. By bringing together civil society, academia and government to design a shared Action Plan, the initiative applies NbS in governance and co-management of coastal ecosystems, ensuring sustainable use while enhancing resilience and biodiversity.
Aichi River Work
Japan
Launched in October 2024, the Aichi Prefectural Government’s “Nature-Oriented River Work” integrates traditional materials such as wood, rocks and soil, into riverbank restoration to reinforce natural habitats and sustain ecological functions. This ecosystem-based approach demonstrates NbS at a regional scale, restoring rivers while improving biodiversity, reducing flood risks and preserving cultural identity through community participation.
Peatland Action Programme
Wales, UK
Since 2020, the National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP) has restored thousands of hectares of degraded peatlands to strengthen carbon sequestration, biodiversity and water regulation. By focusing on ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management, the programme exemplifies NbS for climate mitigation and adaptation, ensuring peatlands continue to provide essential ecosystem services under changing conditions.
Upper Tana River Basin
Kenya
Since 2015, the Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund, led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), has implemented large-scale watershed restoration to secure water resources for Nairobi and surrounding regions. Through reforestation, riverbank protection, and sustainable agriculture, the initiative applies NbS at the catchment scale to restore water flows, reduce sedimentation and sustain hydropower production. In addition to improving water security for millions of urban residents, the programme has enhanced farmer livelihoods, demonstrating the multiple co-benefits of ecosystem-based approaches.
Atlantic Forest
Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina
Since the launch of the Trinational Atlantic Forest Pact in 2019, governments, NGOs and local communities have collaborated to restore one of the world’s most threatened biomes. By creating large-scale restoration corridors, the initiative applies NbS through forest restoration to reconnect fragmented habitats, enhance carbon sequestration, and secure vital ecosystem services for millions of people. This transboundary effort demonstrates how regional cooperation can advance biodiversity conservation and climate resilience while supporting local livelihoods.
Danube River Basin
Europe
Through the Danube River Basin Management Plan (2021), countries across Central and Eastern Europe have advanced large-scale wetland and floodplain restoration to reconnect rivers with their natural landscapes. This multi-country initiative applies NbS for water and climate resilience, improving water quality, reducing flood risks, and enhancing biodiversity across one of Europe’s largest river systems. By restoring natural hydrological processes, the project demonstrates how transboundary collaboration can deliver ecological, social and economic co-benefits.