Nature based solutions (NbS) to climate change promote integrated approaches that deliver benefits for people, nature and climate. Yet NbS also present trade-offs. NbS, like restoring wetlands or planting trees, can improve ecosystem services and increase resilience to climate change, while also creating jobs in sectors like tourism or sustainable agriculture. However, NbS can sometimes have unintended consequences, such as negatively impacting biodiversity if not implemented carefully. Effective NbS requires careful planning, local engagement, and consideration of potential trade-offs to maximise benefits and minimise negative impacts.

The purpose of this learning program is to:

• identify good practices for ensuring livelihoods in NbS in Asia-Pacific are nature-positive
• propose some essential characteristics and criteria (and a scale) for nature-positive livelihoods, and recommend guidelines to support those developing NbS initiatives
• understand how to manage trade-offs between nature, climate and livelihoods in nature- based solutions
• encourage livelihoods pursued under NbS to be as nature-positive as possible.

Scope

The learning program specifically focuses on Climate Resilient by Nature (CRxN) projects in Asia-Pacific region (including Fiji, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Laos and Vietnam), but wider lessons may be drawn from other relevant community-oriented NbS (or similar) programming in the region or beyond.

Key research questions

1. What characteristics and criteria define a nature-positive livelihood (in a nature-based solution)?
2. What are the key factors that contribute to incentivising successful integration of biodiversity, climate and livelihood objectives in NbS projects?
3. How do NbS initiatives (including CRxN projects) manage trade-offs between nature, climate and human wellbeing/livelihoods?

Outputs:

1. Publishable learning brief on ‘nature-positive livelihoods and balancing trade off in NbS in Asia-Pacific’ (or similar), including:
   1. 3-4 good practice case studies from CRxN and other NbS initiatives
   2. Guidelines (tips, tools etc) for NbS developers on ‘how to develop nature-positive livelihoods and manage trade-offs between nature, climate and livelihoods in NbS
   3. Criteria and, if relevant, a scale/pathway for nature positive livelihoods in NbS.
2. Two presentations – one for WWF-Australia and CRxN partner organisations, summarising the report; and a second online for NbS practitioners and NGOs working in this space to share learning and influence sector practice.

Next steps

WWF-A invites consultants (firms or individuals) to submit a comprehensive proposal describing and articulating the work requirements outlined in the TOR.

Please click Apply Now to submit your interest.  

A terms of reference is attached.