UK-Finland Sustainability Knowledge Exchange 19-21 October 2020

1. The Importance of Nature-
Based Solutions
UK-Finland Sustainability Knowledge Exchange
Dr Robert Bradburne, Defra’s Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser
20th October 2020

2. Why are Nature Based Solutions of such interest to Defra?
Linkages between the climate, biodiversity and food agendas
The challenge of deploying Nature-Based Solutions
International & national dimensions of NBS
2
Overview

3. The importance of urgent action - climate
3

4. 4
1 million species at risk.
Will drive huge ecosystem changes
Effects will be unpredictable and often irreversible.
Impacts may be hidden to many (urban) people
The importance of urgent action - biodiversity

5. Linkages between climate and biodiversity
5
Climate is already impacting
biodiversity and ecosystems
• Changing physical spaces for wildlife
• Altering ecological communities
• Predicted to accelerate as temps rise
The same human activities are
key drivers of both issues:
• Land use change, food and material
supply drive climate and biodiversity
change

6. The global food system: a major driver
6
The current system often prioritises food production over all other
services natural systems could be providing
• Sector directly accounts for c10% of global emissions (>50% of this livestock), and further drives 80%
of tropical deforestation
• Land degradation and climate change together projected to reduce global crop yields by 10% overall
by 2050
• Up to 50% in some regions – C/S America, SS-Africa, Asia (Fritz et al 2009)
The system is also inefficient
• 1/3 Earth’s soil acutely degraded by agriculture – lowering yields across SS-Africa and S. America,
driving further land use change.
• 3.2bn people affected by degradation.
• 25-33% of food lost and wasted globally
Projected increases in food demand of 70%-100% by 2050 will be
met one of two ways:
• Expansion of area of production [onto natural land], or
• Expansion of efficiency of production [on current land]

7. 7
Wider connections

8. 8
To be placed in a varied landscape

9. 9
Peatlands in England
Within the constraints of existing uses

10. 10
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Avoided Grassland Conversion
Grazing - Animal Management
Avoided Woodfuel Harvest
Fire Management
Coastal Wetland Restoration
Grazing- Improved Feed
Improved Plantations
Biochar
Trees in Croplands
Reforestation
Grazing - Optimal Intensity
Improved Rice Cultivation
Grazing - Legumes in Pastures
Peatland Restoration
Avoided Coastal Wetlands Impacts
Conservation Agriculture
Natural Forest Management
Avoided Peatland Impacts
Cropland Nutrient Management
Avoided Forest Conversion
Climate Mitigation Potential (TgCO2e / yr)
Low Cost (Mt) [<$10/CO2e] Cost-effective (Mt) [<$100/CO2e]
Using nature and natural systems to achieve societal goals – in this case, limiting climate
change.
Deploying Nature-Based Solutions

11. 11
Spatial distribution of the market and non-market effects of land use change
under two scenarios
Economics and social science is as vital as natural science

12. Ecosystems provide key services for
humanity
• Local: Income, food, medicines
• National: Clean air, clean and plentiful water
• Global: Climate regulation: Forests,
peatlands and savannahs all key
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Cumbria
Domestic and international dimensions

13. Leaders’ Pledge for Nature
Sustainable Land Use & Commodities Trade Dialogue
Climate Finance for Nature
Sustainable Agriculture and the Just Rural Transition
Championing Marine NBS
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The UK’s Nature campaign

14. Thank you
14
Nature Based
Solutions
Natural
Science
Data
science
Economics
Social
Science
Geography
Engineering