Nature-based solutions are actions that use nature to solve environmental problems. Examples in cities would be setting up a wetland near a group of buildings to absorb floodwater, or building permeable pavements.
The world’s developed countries have been implementing nature-based solutions since 2015 but Africa has fallen behind. We are part of a group of environmental scientists who analysed the plans of African countries to adapt to climate change. We found that only 15 African countries (27.7%) have implemented nature-based solutions. Just 119 projects have been set up in Africa to adapt to climate change in water, agriculture, forests and woodlands, coastal and marine areas, grasslands, and mountain habitats – and these are mainly in rural areas.
This is a problem because by 2050, African cities will house an additional 950 million people. Rapid urbanisation has been shown to be one of the major environmental threats that leads to deforestation and land degradation. City buildings develop an ecological footprint which encroaches on natural resources and affects surrounding ecosystem services.
