Nature-Based Solutions- Regulatory Framework
Environmental degradation is a great menace in the entire world. Environmental degradation has dangerous effects on human beings and wildlife. Environmental degradation poses a threat to the ecosystem leading to climate changes and pollution. Climate changes affect food security and bring along global warming. Nature-based solutions are systems put in place to counter the socio-environmental challenges using sustainable means to restore natural or modified ecosystems. The socio-environmental challenges include food insecurity, climate changes, water, and air pollution, human health, and water security. Safeguarding the environment through nature-based solutions helps in improving the quality of lives of people globally, the smooth running of businesses, and gives hope for the future.
Nature-based solutions have proved cost effective in disaster management. Before nature-based solutions, governments invested a lot of resources in building bridges and walls to curb the flooding menace. Use of engineering technology is quite expensive compared to nature-based solutions. Planting vegetation such as mangrove along the coastline is economical and helps in preventing floods. Mangroves along the cost do not hinder fishing thereby contributing to the country’s economy. Vegetation along the shoreline also attracts tourists, which in turn brings business into the state thus promoting the nation as a whole. Nature-based infrastructure serves the purpose of protection and is also flexible. Apart from water resource management, nature based-solutions helps the country in managing climate change. By conserving the environment through the planting of trees, filtering of wastes before being released in the air or water bodies, the ozone layer is protected from harm, therefore, maintaining a healthy atmosphere and pollution-related diseases are eliminated (Eggermont et al., 2015). Healthy citizens favour the growth and development of a country. By focusing on nature-based solutions, the country is likely to achieve food security. By focusing on sustainable management of the ecosystem, food availability and access is guaranteed.
Nature-based solutions are essential in the petroleum industry. Shell is a company that deals with energy and petroleum products require nature-based solutions. Petroleum industries emit a lot of gas into the air and waste into water bodies. Nature-based solutions, therefore, comes in hand in the disposal of waste products and still conserving the environment. Just like any other business, Shell Company requires to make profits to sustain it. Nature-based solutions are self-sustaining and do not depreciate over time (Nesshöver et al., 2017). Shell would reduce maintenance costs if it were to use other solutions beside nature-based solutions. Nature-based solutions make use of the existing materials; therefore the cost of purchasing equipment is reduced. Nature-based solutions also consume less energy and are not affected by a power disruption, and this helps the company boost its sales. By investing in a nature-based solution, the company can save on operational costs too. By conserving nature, the company may acquire a good reputation; therefore, widening and maintaining their client base, which is mandatory in profit-generating ventures. Nature-based solutions indeed have a significant role in the running of businesses.
The nature-based solution has provided numerous opportunities in the country. Through the transformation to the green economy, several jobs are created. Demand and supply of goods and services may increase therefore raising the Gross Domestic Product of the country (Maes & Jacobs, 2017). Australia is surrounded by water; hence it gives room to engage in nature-based solutions along its coastline. Use of nature will decorate the coast and enhance tourism in the nation. Nature-based solutions are involving at the beginning. Australia, therefore, has an opportunity to engage its citizens and through that democracy and effectiveness in the undertaking of projects is achieved.
Regulatory frameworks have been put in place to attain nature-based solutions federally to ensure climate regulation, prevent biodiversity loss and maintenance of the ecosystem. The main goal of nature-based solutions framework is to ensure societal development safeguarding the environment. States have adopted policies to use nature in providing solutions for instance in the planning of cities and farming (Toxopeus & Polzin, 2017). The government is working hand in hand with the private sector for example by monitoring their operations and giving incentives to achieve the goal of nature-based solutions. Implementation of these policies will bring along development and solve problems associated with nature.
The government started initiating projects in line with nature-based solutions. The Carbon farming initiative was launched to reduce the frequency of emissions in the atmosphere. The Carbon farming initiative requires farmers to store as much carbon as possible and avoid emitting it into the atmosphere. The action uses nature in that carbon is stored in soil and trees and ensuring that gases like methane are destroyed in livestock manure. The initiative is environmentally friendly and does not cause harm.
Companies are also striving to achieve nature-based solutions. Companies like Shell ought to embrace the role of nature-based solutions in human life, and the universe at large. Petroleum companies should avoid emitting carbon into the atmosphere and ensuring that their products also emit a negligible amount of carbon into the atmosphere per unit of energy consumed. The companies should also embrace new ways of generating power such as wind and solar.
Nature-based solutions play a vital role in a country’s economy. Nature-based solutions are cost-effective and help in balancing the environment. Governments should, therefore, insist on nature-based solutions and put in place necessary regulatory frameworks. Businesses on the other side should also be prudent in their operations to achieve the use of nature in solving problems.
References
Eggermont, H., Balian, E., Azevedo, J. M. N., Beumer, V., Brodin, T., Claudet, J., … Lamarque, P. (2015). Nature-based solutions: new influence for environmental management and research in Europe. GAIA-Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 24(4), 243–248.
Maes, J., & Jacobs, S. (2017). Nature-Based Solutions for Europe’s Sustainable Development. Conservation Letters, 10(1), 121–124. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12216
Nesshöver, C., Assmuth, T., Irvine, K. N., Rusch, G. M., Waylen, K. A., Delbaere, B., … Kovacs, E. (2017). The science, policy and practice of nature-based solutions: An interdisciplinary perspective. Science of the Total Environment, 579, 1215–1227.
Toxopeus, H. S., & Polzin, F. H. J. (2017). Characterizing nature-based solutions from a business model and financing perspective.