Nature-based Solutions in coastal and island cities of Colombia

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are actions that protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use, and manage terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems, whether natural or modified, to effectively and adaptively address social, economic and environmental challenges, while providing human well-being, ecosystem services, resilience and biodiversity benefits (UNEA, 2022). Given Colombia's biodiversity and various global agreements, these strategies have a strong potential as tools for the sustainable development in marine-coastal territories. They also present an opportunity to align with national and global public policy instruments related to Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), biodiversity, and other areas.

In line with the above, initial steps have been taken in Colombia to integrate NbS into public policy and implement these strategies across various territories. One prominent example of NbS for CCA is found in the Colombian Caribbean, specifically in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina. This region, part of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, has served as a primary site for studying and conserving corals, seagrasses, and mangroves through management and restoration strategies, such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), coral and mangroves nurseries, and green-gray infrastructure, like artificial reefs to protect coastlines from erosion and flooding. The biodiversity loss and climate threats are worsening because of Climate Change, creating a high vulnerability in the island's population and ecosystems.

Similarly, the Pacific region faces unique challenges in conserving and protecting mangroves, particularly because local communities traditionally harvest these resources for timber. This situation has created a need to diversify the region's economic activities through sustainable, nature-based development models. A success story in this region is Punta Soldado Island, located in Buenaventura Bay, where models for mangrove conservation and biodiversity protection have been implemented through scientific initiatives and community-based tourism, ensuring the involvement of local actors.

Such experiences have paved the way for dialogue among different stakeholders—from the national to the local level—highlighting the opportunity that NbS offers for CCA and DRR. Although the integration of NbS into Colombia’s public policy has been gradual, it has shown steady progress. Currently, various national policies and commitments to global agreements are in the process of being updated, representing a great opportunity for the inclusion of these strategies within the country's long-term vision.

Additionally, ongoing discussions among these actors have helped identify the main challenges, barriers, and opportunities for implementing NbS in Colombia. Despite past actions to support biodiversity, there is a recognized need to better engage local communities and tailor actions to the specific characteristics of each territory. Furthermore, it is essential to design strategies that ensure long-term viability and sustainability, supported by appropriate funding and monitoring mechanisms.