CLIMATE AND EARTH
SYSTEM SCIENCES
Photo: UHH/Denstorf
13 December 2024
Photo: Private
Congratulations to Maria Chundamannil, who successfully defended her Master's thesis today.
Her Thesis: A deep dive on Nature-based Solutions in Nationally Determined Contributions
Abstract: This study is an analysis of the Nature-based solutions to climate change in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) of 130 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). As a cost-effective set of solutions with multiple reported co-benefits, Nature-based solutions have the potential to be a significant global mitigation and adaptation measure. This study aims to understand the current way in which parties address Nature-based Solutions to achieve their climate goals. Content analysis methods have been used to analyse 130 NDCs with a special interest in 22 Nature-based Solutions. The study highlights what targets are set, which frames are used to justify their inclusion in NDCs and the challenges parties report in implementing these solutions. A deep dive into three Nature-based solutions; afforestation and reforestation, avoided coastal impacts and agroforestry provides additional context on targets, co-benefits and challenges faced as reported in NDCs. Results show that 106 out of the 130 parties include these Nature-based solutions in their NDC. The number of Nature-based solutions adopted vary across regions and on average lower income groups adopt more Nature-based solutions than higher income groups. Differences in the types of targets set for solutions from different ecosystems were also identified.