WHO report on nature-based solutions launched
To mark International Day for Biological Diversity, we’re launching a new report highlighting the powerful connections between nature and human health.
Published in collaboration with the World Health Organisation as part of our role as a WHO Collaborating Centre on Natural Environments and Health, the guidance explores how we might tackle some of the biggest health challenges of our time – while also protecting and restoring the natural world.
Our focus is on actions described as ‘nature-based solutions’, interventions inspired by nature that can lead to multiple benefits for both people and the planet: bolstering ecosystem health, human wellbeing, and creating the conditions for a more equal and resilient society.
These kinds of approaches can be particularly effective at tackling large issues that often overlap and intertwine, such as climate change, natural disasters, access to food and water, and the transmission of human diseases.
But they can also be used at a local level to support nature and health. For example, the restoration of oyster reefs and seagrass meadows might enhance biodiversity, reduce wave intensity, improve water quality by filtering pollutants, and provide a habitat for other marine life. These outcomes could in turn support good nutrition and support fishing for local populations, and contribute to carbon sequestration.
The report is aimed at audiences across all levels of government who deal with environment and health planning and covers the fundamental elements needed to consider the roll out of nature-based solutions in tangible, real-world policies.
A wide range of topics are featured in a series of short case studies contributed by experts from the European Centre. Topics include:
- Freshwater systems
- Air quality
- Coasts, seas and oceans
- Soil, agriculture, nutrition and food security
- Infectious diseases
- Microbes in the environment and human body
- Access to nature
- Health care
- Liveable cities and communities
Nature-based solutions present significant opportunities for human health and wellbeing, alongside multiple benefits for the environment and society, actions that will be increasingly important in tackling the ‘triple crisis’ of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Prof Ben Wheeler, one of the lead authors of the guidance, said:
“There is clear evidence for the benefits to the health sector of promoting and engaging with nature-based solutions, and for the environment and conservation sectors to take advantage of improved health and well-being. We hope to foster collaboration between these different groups, along with local communities, to design, implement, and assess the outcomes from these exciting interventions.”
The report follows our previous WHO guidance on nature, biodiversity and health and assessing the value of urban green and blue spaces for health and well-being. It also relates to Centre research such as the REGREEN project.
You can find it in full here: iris.who.int/handle/10665/381437