Nature-based solutions in Australia: A systematic quantitative literature review of terms, application and policy relevance

Abstract

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are emerging as an approach to sustainable environmental management and addressing environmental and social issues in ways that benefit human well-being and biodiversity. NbS have been applied to social-environmental challenges such as climate change and urbanization, but with diverse conceptualisations and applications that may impact their effectiveness and broader uptake. Much of the literature and implementation of NbS has emerged from Europe and though NbS use is rising in Australia, the context is unclear. This systematic quantitative literature review aims to improve understanding of NbS in the Australian context.Here we explore the meaning and uses of NbS in the scientific literature in Australia, through three research questions: In Australia, (1) what is meant by the term ‘nature-based solutions’? (2) what socio-ecological challenges do NbS aim to address and how? (3) what are the barriers and opportunities for greater integration of NbS into policy and practice in Australia?We show that in Australia, local governments are using NbS in urban planning to address the compounding challenges brought on by climate change in the human-environment interfaces. However, there is no consensus on NbS definitions and approaches, research is focussed on urban areas and problems, and NbS implementation follows a bottom-up, localised pattern without an integrated policy framework. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for improving the implementation of NbS in Australia including: (1) a consistency of NbS definition and awareness of NbS approaches; (2) interdisciplinary and interdepartmental collaboration on NbS methods and effectiveness and; (3) an integrated policy framework supporting NbS nationwide.