Developing a Nature Based Solutions Tool for the UN Development Programme

February 7, 2024 - The Center for Climate Strategies (CCS) is pleased to have completed Phase 1 of a consultancy delivered to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) for the revision and simplification of a cost and benefit assessment tool for Nature Based Solutions (NBS). The revised and simplified tool (the UNDP NBS Tool) is a kickstart MS Excel-based instrument designed to orient policymakers and program managers on the potential costs and benefits of specific NBS actions. It can support initial, fast, and low-cost/benefit analysis of a broad range of impacts and actions without compromising transparency and reliability.

The UNDP NBS Tool allows policymakers to quickly access a wide range of default-based cost and benefit performance benchmarks for regional NBS technologies and practices as well as add customized local data. The current version of the UNDP NBS Tool is based on case studies in the LAC region and is applicable in other global regions. Phase 1 of technical assistance provided detailed mapping for additional updates and expansions to the scope of assessment, methods and tools, including integration of non-climate risks and climate mitigation actions, and expanded cost and benefit metrics. The tool supports comprehensive climate change adaptation planning and assessment that involves the determination of risk and vulnerability for specific populations, activities, and places in all economic sectors and natural systems, as well as the identification and design of enhanced adaptive capacities to close vulnerability gaps while providing important co-benefits for health, livelihoods, equity, security, sustainability.

CCS specializes in tools, training, and learning by doing capacity building for regional, community, and stakeholder-based engagements on climate change adaptation and mitigation planning, assessment, and implementation.