Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are becoming central to the reimagining of food and agricultural systems. IUCN is responsible for the Global Standard for NbS and works to ensure its effective implementation.
The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is a comprehensive framework launched in 2020 that provides eight criteria and 27 associated indicators to assess, design, and scale NbS projects. Developed by IUCN through a global consultation process, the Standard helps ensure NbS initiatives are environmentally sustainable, socially equitable, economically viable, and adaptive, thereby improving their effectiveness, building credibility with investors and donors, and connecting them to international goals. Applying NbS to agricultural contexts offers great potential for achieving the systemic transformation of food systems, as it requires a holistic view of the whole system, as set out in the eight NbS criteria. The Global Standard went through its periodic review in 2025 (due every 4 years) and the new Standard can be accessed here: Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions | INBS
| The eight criteria are: | |
| 1 | NbS effectively address societal challenges |
| 2 | NbS incorporate an ecological, economic, social and cultural systems perspective |
| 3 | NbS result in positive change in the state of biodiversity and enhanced ecosystem integrity, including connectivity |
| 4 | NbS are financially feasible and economically justified |
| 5 | NbS are based on inclusive, transparent and empowering governance processes |
| 6 | NbS seek to equitably reconcile the achievement of their primary goal(s) with any intended and unintended impacts on the continued provision of multiple benefits |
| 7 | NbS are managed adaptively, based on evidence |
| 8 | NbS contribute to the enhancement of the enabling conditions for their implementation, sustainability and mainstreaming |
This IUCN publication focuses on the relationship between sustainable agricultural approaches and the concept of Nature-based Solutions, and specifically the applicability of the IUCN Global Standard for NbS in agricultural contexts. Whilst there are many types of agriculture that describe themselves as sustainable – this report lists 14 – when judged on the IUCN NbS criteria only a small number meet all the requirements.
How do we ensure that Nature-based Solutions really live up to their promise? The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions guides users to design and implement NbS in a way that allows nature to deliver its valuable ecosystem services. In addition, the Global Standard sets clear benchmarks to measure the progress of NbS.
This report from the IUCN French Committee looks at food system issues including quantity, nutritional and health quality, and supply stability, correlating these with environmental issues and adaptation to climate change, in line with the Sustainable Development.
The agriculture sectoral interpretation – which is currently being aligned with the revised IUCN Global Standard for NbS - aims to translate and support the application of the Standard in an agricultural context. The sectoral interpretation is intended to ensure that NbS interventions contribute to positive outcomes for biodiversity net gain and ecosystem integrity, to rehabilitating and restoring ecosystem services, make a clear contribution to improving food security and reducing malnutrition, contribute to preserving or improving human and animal health, deliver positive economic outcomes for farmers, and uphold the rights of farmers and Indigenous peoples, especially recognising their land rights and access to natural resources.
