Eight recommendations for advancing blue Nature-based Solutions

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Marine Biology
• Conservation Science

Background:

• Global environmental politics are dominated by interconnected crises: biodiversity loss, climate change, and human health.
• Marine and coastal Nature-based Solutions (blue NbS) present an opportunity to mitigate human impacts on marine ecosystems and provide human co-benefits.
• The current slow adoption of blue NbS hinders progress despite the urgent need for integrated environmental management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the slow uptake of blue NbS by providing integrated social-ecological advice.
• To guide practitioners and researchers in advancing the development and implementation of effective blue NbS.
• To encourage strategic dialogue and research supporting solution-focused narratives for environmental challenges.

Main Methods:

• Development of eight key recommendations for advancing blue NbS.
• Grouping recommendations into three strategic themes: objectives, function, and mechanisms.
• Synthesizing current knowledge to inform practical guidance and research directions.

Main Results:

• Eight actionable recommendations are presented to foster effective blue NbS.
• Recommendations are structured thematically to guide research and implementation efforts.
• The study provides a framework for advancing blue NbS in global environmental management.

Conclusions:

• Effective implementation of blue NbS requires integrated social-ecological advice and targeted research.
• Addressing the slow uptake of blue NbS is crucial for tackling interconnected global environmental challenges.
• The proposed recommendations aim to stimulate strategic action and research for successful blue NbS deployment.