{"id":17630,"date":"2024-04-17T07:55:44","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T14:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/?p=17630"},"modified":"2024-04-17T07:55:44","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T14:55:44","slug":"energy-101-nature-based-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/energy-101-nature-based-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Energy 101: Nature-based Solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Welcome to Energy 101!<\/span> In this series, we bring you nuanced and concise perspectives on significant energy and climate topics around the world. Today, we are featuring the topic of Nature-based Solutions! Now, let\u2019s feel the earth between our fingers and dig in\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Nature-based Solutions and Earth Month<\/span><\/h2>\n

April is Earth Month, a time to pay special attention to the constantly evolving needs of our planet, and to reflect on how human activity is irrevocably altering the Earth\u2019s natural systems. Considering the always-increasing awareness of human intervention in nature, nature-based solutions (NbS) are poised to become a dominant topic in the global energy discussion as at-risk communities continue to struggle with the worsening effects of climate change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important that we understand how major polluters and other interested groups can take advantage of the language of NbS through \u2018greenwashing\u2019. This term refers to the use of the aesthetics, language, or trends of nature-based solutions, and its associated positive reputation, to promote projects that lack transparency, or could even have direct negative effects on local communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s dive in!<\/span><\/h2>\n

In this post, we’ll\u00a0 introduce you to Nature-based Solutions as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature<\/a>, the world\u2019s foremost voice on NbS, explain why human rights are an essential component of the NbS philosophy, and finally study a very negative case of what can go wrong when \u201cgreenwashing\u201d goes too far.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are Nature-based Solutions?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines a Nature-based Solution as:<\/span><\/p>\n

Nature-based Solutions address societal challenges through actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems, benefiting people and nature at the same time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They target major challenges like climate change, disaster risk reduction, food and water security, biodiversity loss and human health, and are critical to sustainable development.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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The IUCN outlines five major approaches to Nature-based Solutions: Protection, Restoration, Management, Infrastructure, and Issue-Specific NbS<\/strong>. Earlier in April, we shared a summary of each of these types of projects with a relevant case study example from the Nature-based Solutions Initiative\u2019s NbS Case Study platform. Check out the post here<\/strong><\/a> and get to know the different forms a NbS project can take!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You may find that there seems to be a lot of overlap between the various approaches – this is true! An ecosystem restoration project will undoubtedly transition into a management or protection project at some point in its life-cycle. In addition, nature-based solutions are often lauded for their versatility, a core component of the NbS philosophy. In order to be a true Nature-based Solution, according to the IUCN\u2019s \u201cGlobal Standard for Nature-based Solutions,\u201d<\/a> a project <\/span>must <\/span><\/i>benefit the socio-economic wellbeing of local communities <\/span>as well<\/span><\/i> as the natural environment. Here\u2019s why\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Rooted in Human Rights<\/span><\/h2>\n

In a recent blog article for the IUCN,<\/a> International Law and Human Rights Expert Dr. Sener Dalyan outlines the importance of a human rights-centred approach to NbS. As part of this process, Dalyan explores the IUCN Global Standard\u2019s 8 criteria which \u201cprovides a robust framework for designing, implementing, evaluating, adapting and improving NbS.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Five of the eight criteria is directly related to human rights, as well as over half of the Standard\u2019s 28 indicators used to gauge the success and sustainability of Nbs. We have collected a summary of each criteria below so you can form a quick idea of what should be required of any NbS project. All of this to say that human rights are an <\/span>essential<\/span><\/i> component of what makes a project a true NbS.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Criterion 5 requires NbS to be based on inclusive, transparent, and empowering governance processes. It is only through such a process that the concerns of a wide range of stakeholders, in particular rights holders, can be heard and addressed. A well-functioning feedback and grievance mechanism with robust rules and procedures is an important means in ensuring that NbS provides expected human well-being and biodiversity benefits, and the rights are respected.\u201d Dr. Sener Dalyan, 2024<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Now that we know what it takes to build a successful nature-based solution, what does it look like when a nature-based solutions project does not centre the needs and rights of local human populations?<\/span><\/p>\n

Greenwashing and “Blood Carbon”<\/span><\/h2>\n

In late 2023, CounterPunch<\/a> reporter Alexandria Shaner published an article titled \u201cBlood Carbon: Kenyans are Being Erased so the UAE can Greenwash.\u201d<\/a> She begins by drawing a comparison between the historically well-publicized phenomenon of \u201cblood diamonds\u201d or \u201cconflict diamonds.\u201d The metaphor is apt and striking!<\/span>
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Shaner understands that this process is occurring anew as an unintended consequence of the rapidly expanding Carbon Market.<\/a> Through the Carbon Market, governments and corporations are incentivized to engage in carbon capture, removal, and sequestration projects with the reward of huge profits and positive PR for acting \u201csustainably.\u201d The ongoing eviction and expulsion of Indigenous Kenyan\u2019s from their country\u2019s forests is a clear example of how chasing carbon metrics for profit, without considering the impact on human rights, can have disastrous consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n

In summary, the government of the United Arab Emirates (a global petrostate) recently invested over $450 million USD with the help of a US consultancy firm, into African emissions mitigation projects. By investing in carbon projects like these, the UAE is able to \u201cgreenwash\u201d the negative effects of its massive investment in crude oil. \u201cGreenwashing\u201d is a well-discussed term<\/a> referring to the use of creative accounting and marketing techniques to obscure the negative ecological impacts of a certain corporation, organization, or government by over-amplifying the positive effects of various eco-investments that a group may be involved in. Many of the IUCN\u2019s criteria for NbS are designed to make sure this doesn\u2019t happen!<\/span><\/p>\n

One stipulation of the UAE\u2019s deal with Kenya\u2019s government is a reduction of emissions from the country\u2019s forested areas. As a result, Kenya\u2019s President Ruto ordered the mass eviction of tens of thousands of Indigenous Kenyans from these regions thinking it could protect their forests from encroachment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shaner also points out that several of the organizations behind these types of projects, like the UAE-based Blue Carbon, are often run by people with connections to the government or the oil industry who lack vital experience in managing ecosystem projects and exhibit little genuine interest in protecting local ecosystems and consulting with local communities where these projects will take place. The treatment of Indigenous Kenyans at the behest of UAE petrocorps, in the name of “sustainability” should keenly illustrate why preserving human rights is an essential component of any successful nature-based solution.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Now that we have a better understanding of what makes a successful (and unsuccessful) nature-based solution, where do we go from here? With all of this month\u2019s focus on our planet Earth, we thought it might also be useful to look outwards for an even greater insight into the relationship between humans, their land, and the energy we all need to survive. For this, we have to take a little trip\u2026 to the planet of Arrakis!<\/span><\/p>\n

Next up: Energy 101\u2019s pop-culture connection to nature-based solutions, energy, and DUNE!<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow us for more Energy 101s!<\/span><\/h2>\n

Are you curious about certain topics and want Student Energy to dissect them into Energy 101? Please let us know what you would like to see featured in future posts by following @studentenergy and getting in touch at info@studentenergy.org<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to Energy 101! In this series, we bring you nuanced and concise perspectives on significant energy and climate topics around the world. Today, we are featuring the topic of Nature-based Solutions! Now, let\u2019s feel the earth between our fingers and dig in\u2026 Nature-based Solutions and Earth Month April is Earth Month, a time to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":139,"featured_media":17632,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[421],"tags":[577,224,576,546,578,545,581,580,579,575,574,573],"class_list":["post-17630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-energy-101","tag-april","tag-blog","tag-earth-month","tag-education","tag-educational","tag-energy-101","tag-human-rights","tag-information","tag-informational","tag-nature","tag-nature-based-solutions","tag-nbs"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/139"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17630"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17630\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}