Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems in a Warming World

Authors

  • Shoba Suri *

    Senior Fellow-Health Initiative, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi 110002, India
  • Madhavi Jha

    Intern- Health Initiative, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi 110002, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55121/nc.v4i2.488

Keywords:

Nature-based Solutions, Climate Change, Biodiversity, Food Security, Food System

Abstract

Climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss are placing unprecedented stress on global food systems. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and soil degradation threaten food production and exacerbate existing inequalities in access to food. The urgency to feed a growing population—projected to reach 10 billion by 2050—demands a rethinking of how food is produced, distributed, and consumed. Nature-based Solutions (NbS), defined by the IUCN as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively,” offer a promising pathway. When integrated into food systems, NbS can simultaneously enhance ecosystem health, increase resilience to climate change, support livelihoods, and ensure food and nutrition security. Disruptions to ecosystem services due to climate change and human activity undermine food security. NbS in food systems seek to restore and protect these services while making agriculture and food production more resilient. This study explores the role of NbS in promoting sustainable food systems in the face of climate change. It assesses various NbS strategies across agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, and examines their ecological, economic, and social benefits, as well as challenges to their adoption and scaling. One way forward is to create enabling environments and integrate NbS into national climate and food policies.

References

[1] Owino, V., Kumwenda, C., Ekesa, B., et al., 2022. The impact of climate change on food systems, diet quality, nutrition, and health outcomes: A narrative review. Frontiers in Climate. 4, 941842. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2022.941842

[2] CGIAR, 2023. IPCC climate report draws urgency to food systems transformation. Available from: https://www.cgiar.org/news-events/news/ipcc-climate-report-draws-urgency-to-food-systems-transformation (cited 21 March 2023).

[3] Galanakis, C.M., 2024. The future of food. Foods. 13(4), 506. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13040506

[4] UNDP Climate Change Adaptation, 2021. Tackling the climate crisis in agri-food systems through nature-based solutions. Available from: https://www.adaptation-undp.org/scala-tackling-the-climate-crisis-in-agri-food-systems-through-nature-based-solutions (cited 21 September 2021).

[5] Geneva Nature-based Solutions Dialogues, 2021. Nature-based Solutions and the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework. Available from: https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/events/nature-based-solutions-and-the-post-2020-biodiversity-framework/ (cited 23 February 2025).

[6] Miralles-Wilhelm, F., 2023. Nature-based solutions in agricultural landscapes for reducing tradeoffs between food production, climate change, and conservation objectives. Frontiers in Water. 5, 1247322. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2023.1247322

[7] International Food Policy Research Institute, n.d.. Ecosystem services and biodiversity. Available from: https://www.ifpri.org/topic/ecosystem-services/ (25 November 2024).

[8] Diyaolu, C.O., Folarin, I.O., 2024. The Role of Biodiversity in Agricultural Resilience: Protecting ecosystem services for sustainable food production. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews. 5(10), 1560–1573. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.5.1024.2741

[9] World Health Organization, 2025. Biodiversity. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/biodiversity (cited 18 February 2025).

[10] Mbow, C., Rosenzweig, C., Barioni, L.G., et al., 2022. Chapter 5: Food Security — Special report on climate change and land. In: Shukla, P.R., Skea, J., Calvo Buendia, E., et al. (eds.). Climate Change and Land: an IPCC special report on climate change, desertiffcation, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas ffuxes in terrestrial ecosystems. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK. pp. 437–550. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157988.007

[11] SBI General Insurance, 2023. Impact of climate change on crops. Available from: https://www.sbigeneral.in/blog/general-insurance/general-articles/impact-of-climate-change-on-crops (cited 31 July 2023).

[12] Sakai, O., 2024. Climate Change and Agriculture: Why are Farmers Vulnerable? - TechnoServe. Available from: https://www.technoserve.org/blog/climate-change-and-agriculture-smallholder-farmers/ (cited 24 January 2024).

[13] Kopittke, P.M., Menzies, N.W., Wang, P., et al., 2019. Soil and the intensification of agriculture for global food security. Environment International. 132, 105078. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105078

[14] is Mirzabaev, A., Kerr, R. B., Hasegawa, T., Pradhan, P., Wreford, A., Von Der Pahlen, M. C. T., & Gurney-Smith, H. (2022). Severe climate change risks to food security and nutrition. Climate Risk Management, 39, 100473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2022.100473 (cited 21 June 2025)

[15] IPCC, 2022. Working Group II – Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK; New York, NY, USA. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009325844

[16] Dibakoane, S., Siyongwana, P., Shabalala, A.N., 2022. Vulnerability, impact and adaptation strategies of female farmers to climate variability. Jàmbá Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 14(1), 1302. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v14i1.1302

[17] International Union for Conservation of Nature, n.d.. Nature-based solutions for climate. Available from: https://www.iucn.org/our-work/topic/nature-based-solutions-climate (cited 27 March 2025).

[18] Agroforestry Network, 2025. Agroforestry and agroecology - Sustainable and safe alternatives to pesticides. Available from: https://agroforestrynetwork.org/database_post/agroforestry-and-agroecology-sustainable-and-safe-alternatives-to-pesticides/ (cited 27 March 2025).

[19] Rinaudo, T., McKenzie, S., Huynh, T., et al., 2021. Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration: community driven, low cost and scalable reforestation approach for climate change mitigation and adaptation. In: Leal Filho, W., Luetz, J., Ayal, D. (eds.). Handbook of Climate Change Management: Research, Leadership, Transformation. Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland. pp. 4319–4351. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22759-3_281-1

[20] NDC Partnership, n.d.. From vulnerability to resilience: Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration in Niger. Available from: https://ndcpartnership.org/knowledge-portal/good-practice-database/vulnerability-resilience-farmer-managed-natural-regeneration-niger (cited 1 April 2025).

[21] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, n.d.. Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR): a technique to effectively combat poverty and hunger through land and vegetation restoration. Available from: https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/farmer-managed-natural-regeneration-fmnr-technique-effectively-combat-poverty-and (cited 1 April 2025).

[22] Sher, A., Li, H., Ullah, A., et al., 2024. Importance of regenerative agriculture: climate, soil health, biodiversity and its socioecological impact. Discover Sustainability. 5(1), 462. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00662-z

[23] British Ecological Society, 2025. End of the brown field? Regenerative agriculture brings ecological benefits. Available from: https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/end-of-the-brown-field-regenerative-agriculture-practices-bring-ecological-benefits/ (cited 14 April 2025).

[24] Das, B., 2024. How is regenerative agriculture changing India's farming culture. The CSR Universe. Available from: https://thecsruniverse.com/articles/how-is-regenerative-agriculture-changing-india-s-farming-culture (cited 2 January 2024).

[25] Chattopadhayay, S., 2025. Degrowth and the reimagining of Indian agriculture. Available from: https://www.orfonline.org/research/degrowth-and-the-reimagining-of-indian-agriculture (cited 24 March 2025).

[26] KhetiBuddy, 2024. How regenerative soil techniques increase farm profitability and crop yields. Available from: https://khetibuddy.com/ca/blogs/how-regenerative-soil-techniques-increase-farm-profitability-and-crop-yields/ (cited 9 August 2024).

[27] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2025. Basic information about wetland restoration and protection. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/basic-information-about-wetland-restoration-and-protection (cited 27 January 2025).

[28] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, n.d.. Ecologically integrated farming system in the south of Vietnam: Rice-duck-shrimp farming in Ben Tre Province. Available from: https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/20524c66-f4eb-4f88-9600-3599b3544fab/content (cited 30 November 2024).

[29] Zhang, Y., Guan, C., Li, Z., et al., 2023. Review of Rice–Fish–Duck Symbiosis System in China—One of the globally important Ingenious Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Sustainability. 15(3), 1910. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031910

[30] Hasan, T., 2024. Pastoralism: Sustainable solutions for livestock communities. AgriNext Conference. Available from: https://agrinextcon.com/sustainable-solutions-for-pastoralism/ (cited 26 April 2024).

[31] Masai Center for Regenerative Pastoralism. “We must regenerate our lands to support our future.”, https://www.maasaiactionfordevelopment.org/ (cited 17 March 2025 ).

[32] UNDP Climate Promise, 2024. Maasai communities harness the resilience of native plants to restore grasslands in Tanzania. Available from: https://climatepromise.undp.org/news-and-stories/maasai-communities-harness-resilience-native-plants-restore-grasslands-tanzania (cited 23 September 2024).

[33] UNEP FI, Baker, K., Fritsch, D., et al., 2023. Investing with Nature: Exploring Investment Opportunities Across Ecosystems Primer 2: Nature-based Solutions in Oceans and Coastal Ecosystems. UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative: Geneva, Switzerland. Available from: https://www.unepfi.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Primer-2-Marine-coastal-ecosystems.pdf (cited 17 April 2025).

[34] LLAHub, 2022. Villagers regenerating the world's largest mangrove in Bangladesh. Global Center on Adaptation. Available from: https://llahub.gca.org/stories/72cc515c-77d6-49ee-8e8d-af1c7b21c16e (cited 27 April 2025).

[35] Hossain, M., Saha, C., Saha, S., 2025. Mangrove restoration in Bangladesh. Open Journal of Forestry. 15(1), 35–52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ojf.2025.151003

[36] Bezner Kerr, R., Hasegawa, T., Lasco, R., et al., 2022. Food, fibre, and other ecosystem products. In: Pörtner, H.-O., Roberts, D.C., Tignor, M., et al. (eds.). Climate change 2022: Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK. pp. 713–906. Available from: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/chapter/chapter-5/ (cited 27 April 2025).

[37] Seddon, N., Chausson, A., Berry, P., et al., 2020. Understanding the value and limits of nature-based solutions to climate change and other global challenges. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences. 375(1794), 20190120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2019.0120

[38] Kopsieker, L., Gerritsen, E., Stainforth, T., et al., 2021. Nature-based solutions and their socio-economic benefits for Europe's recovery: Enhancing the uptake of nature-based solutions across EU policies. The Institute for European Environmental Policy: Brussels, Belgium. Available from: https://ieep.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Nature-based-solutions-and-their-socio-economic-benefits-for-Europes-recovery-IEEP-2021-WEB.pdf (cited 23 March 2025).

[39] Teracon, 2024. The advantages and disadvantages of nature-based solutions. Available from: https://www.terraconindia.com/2024/04/12/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-nature-based-solutions-nbs/ (cited 12 April 2024).

[40] Lyandres, O., LeZaks, D., Shorofsky, B., et al., 2019. LAND TENURE AND CONSERVATION IN AGRICULTURE: CREATING INCENTIVES FOR LANDOWNERS. Delta Institute: Chicago, IL, USA. Available from: https://delta-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Land-Tenure-and-Conservation-in-Agriculture-2019.pdf (cited 23 March 2025).

[41] Kauark-Fontes, B., Marchetti, L., Salbitano, F., 2023. Integration of nature-based solutions (NBS) in local policy and planning toward transformative change. Evidence from Barcelona, Lisbon, and Turin. Ecology and Society. 28(2), 25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5751/es-14182-280225

[42] Li, M., Peterson, C.A., Tautges, N.E., et al., 2019. Yields and resilience outcomes of organic, cover crop, and conventional practices in a Mediterranean climate. Scientific Reports. 9(1), 12283. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-48747-4

[43] Chaplin-Kramer, R., Chappell, M.J., Bennett, E.M., 2022. Un-yielding: Evidence for the agriculture transformation we need. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1520(1), 89–104. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14950

[44] UNCCD, FAO, 2024. Securing tenure to restore land and safeguard livelihoods. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertifcation (UNCCD): Bonn, Germany. Available from: https://www.unccd.int/sites/default/files/2024-04/UNCCD-FAO_Synergy%20Brief_May%202024.pdf (cited 17 Juy 2025).

[45] McQuillan, D., 2024. Catalyzing the capital flow toward nature-positive agriculture. World Wildlife Fund. Available from: https://www.worldwildlife.org/blogs/sustainability-works/posts/catalyzing-the-capital-flow-toward-nature-positive-agriculture (cited 10 September 2024).

[46] WWF Germany, WWF Indonesia, WWF Malaysia, et al., 2024. Financing nature-based solutions in Southeast Asia. World Wildlife Fund: Washington, DC, USA. Available from: https://wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/financing-nature-based-solutions---wwf-iki-august-2024.pdf (cited 17 July 2025).

[47] Das, B., 2025 Sustainable farming practices in India: key challenges and emerging solutions. The CSR Universe. Available from: https://thecsruniverse.com/articles/sustainable-farming-practices-in-india-key-challenges-and-emerging-solutions (cited 17 July 2025).

[48] Grace, M., Balzan, M., Collier, M., et al., 2021. Priority knowledge needs for implementing nature-based solutions in the Mediterranean islands. Environmental Science & Policy. 116, 56–68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.10.003

[49] United Nations Development Programme, 2019. Pathway for Increasing Nature-based Solutions in NDCs: A Seven-Step Approach for Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions through Nature-based Solutions. United Nations Development Programme: New York, USA. Available from: https://climatepromise.undp.org/sites/default/files/research_report_document/undp-ndcsp-NBS-in-NDCs-Pathway-Report-english2.pdf (cited 17 March 2025).

[50] Nature-based Solutions Initiative, 2022. Revised climate pledges show enhanced ambition for nature-based solutions. Available from: https://www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/nbs-policy-platform-ndc-submissions (cited Day Month Year).

[51] Wollenberg, E., Tennigkeit, T., Dinesh, D., et al., 2022. Compensating farmers for ecosystem services. CompensACTION Policy Brief. Available from: https://www.globallandscapesforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Compensating-farmers-for-ecosystem-services-policy-brief.pdf (cited 17 July 2025).

[52] Vijayan, D., Ludwig, D., Rybak, C., et al., 2022. Indigenous knowledge in food system transformations. Communications Earth & Environment. 3(1), 213. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00543-1

[53] Global Mangrove Alliance, n.d.. Legal and policy recommendations to support international mangrove targets. Available from: https://www.mangrovealliance.org/news/legal-and-policy-recommendations-to-support-international-mangrove-targets/ (cited 23 February 2025).

[54] WHO, IUCN, 2023. HIGHLIGHTS BRIEF ON WHO- IUCN REPORT ON DESIGNING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR HUMAN HEALTH. Available from: https://iucn.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/final-highlights-brief-1.pdf (cited 23 February 2025).

[55] Nature-based Solutions Initiative, 2024. Monitoring and reporting outcomes of Nature-based Solutions projects. Available from: https://www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/monitoring-nbs-projects/ (cited 10 April 2024).

Downloads

How to Cite

Suri, S., & Jha, M. (2025). Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems in a Warming World. New Countryside, 4(2), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.55121/nc.v4i2.488

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (July 2025): In Progress

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Shoba Suri, Madhavi Jha

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.