Introductory description

Global environmental challenges have necessitated using different approaches to solving the climate crisis. Nature-based Solutions and carbon capture are actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems. They address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. Nature-based solutions and carbon capture approaches and technologies can contribute to delivering sustainable environmental management. Students will acquire the skills to identify,
evaluate, and perform feasibility designs of different nature-based solutions and carbon capture approaches and
technologies.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Key topics that will be covered in the module include:

1. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA)
2. Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR)
3. Ecosystem-based mitigation (EbM)
4. Ecological engineering
5. Adapting Nature-Based Solutions into Policies and Development Plans
6. The business case for Nature-based Solutions

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of NBS as a tool to address societal challenges, enhance human well-being, and support the aims of a wide variety of policies.
• Analyse the implications of alternative building with nature solutions with considerations for their long time cost.
• Evaluate planning strategies, benefits, implementation and management process/challenge of Nature Based Solutions and Carbon Capture.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing in both formal and informal contexts, and with a variety of stakeholders.

Indicative reading list

1. CBD (2009). Connecting Biodiversity and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Report of the Second Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change. Technical Series No. 41. Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity: Montreal. https://www.cbd.int/doc/publications/cbd-ts-41-en.pdf

2. Cohen-Shacham, E., Walters, G., Janzen, C. and Maginnis, S. (eds.) (2016). Nature-based Solutions to address global societal challenges. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. xiii + 97pp. ISBN: 978-2-8317-1812-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2016.13.en

3. Donatti, C. I., Martinez, R., Fedele, G., Harvey, C., Andrade, A., Scorgie, S. and Rose, C. (2021). Guidelines for designing, implementing and monitoring nature-based solutions for adaptation (Version 2). Zenodo. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4555407

4. Doswald, N., & Estrella, M. (2015). Promoting ecosystems for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation: opportunities for integration. UNEP, Geneva.

5. Estrella, M., Saalismaa, N. (Eds.), 2013. Ecosystem based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR): An overview, in: The Role of Ecosystems in Disaster Risk Reduction. United Nations University Press,Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.

6. IUCN (2020). IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions : A user-friendly framework for the verification, design and scaling up of NbS : first edition. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.08.en

7. Mitsch, W. J. (2012). What is ecological engineering? Ecological Engineering, 45, 5-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.04.013

Interdisciplinary

The content is largely science-based, but it touches on the social, economic and legal aspects of working with Nature.

International

The contents would cover global issues and examples across different continents,

Subject specific skills

1. Apply complex environmental principles and methods to projects that integrate with the built or natural environment.

2. Design, develop or manage safe and sustainable environmental solutions, be able to identify challenges these solutions pose, and assess the opportunities to deliver practical solutions that integrate with the built or natural environment.

3. Balance views of potentially conflicting drivers related to environmental, social and financial constraints, and demonstrate a critical analysis of ecological projects' design, development or management.

4. Apply and comply with policies and regulations relating to the environment, health and safety, legal, planning, equality, and diversity.

5. Determine and manage the collection, analysis, and evaluation of data used in developing or delivering environmental solutions, drawing appropriate conclusions and making practical recommendations.

Transferable skills

1. Communicate effectively orally and in writing in both formal and informal contexts and with a variety of stakeholders.

2. Listen actively to ensure the views of others are considered appropriately.

3. Effectively and safely manage tasks or projects, within environmental, legal, contractual and statutory requirements, to agreed time and resource budgets and agreed quality standards through applying appropriate project management tools and techniques.

4. Manage their work independently within the limits of their ability, authority and responsibility, using support and specialist expertise when appropriate. Seek feedback on their performance, looking for ways to improve it.