The session presented case studies on financially viable nature-based solutions (NbS) to support the development of more climate-resilient and sustainable landscapes and economies. These were cases of bankable projects with the potential to create large-scale positive impacts on nature and communities. Cases featured include a freshwater-based project for three rice crops in the Mekong Delta, an integrated shrimp-rice (floating rice) project that increased farmers’ incomes 2.5 times while creating positive impacts on climate, and structural engineered bamboo beams for use in the construction of buildings. Each project had proven environmental, social, and economic benefits and attracted private sector interest. However, the lack of information on returns and impact was ranked as the most important barrier to mobilizing finance for NbS. Investment in detailed programs and project design as well as in building on the feasibility studies is the next step toward scaling up NbS in the Mekong Delta. Discussants presented financial institutions' and donors' perspectives and programs. In her remarks, Yoko Watanabe pointed out that ADB’s Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2030 envisages that 30% of climate actions will be from NbS. She noted that while it is important to support such approaches, currently there are too many pilots but initiatives are not on a large enough scale. There is a lack of knowledge and skills to move from small to large-scale efforts and a need to generate sufficient knowledge. Another challenge is that there is more government funding than private sector funding for NbS. To expand existing small-scale projects, there is a need for the right blend of finance, institutional arrangements, and market development. She emphasized the importance of partnerships and noted that innovative financing approaches will play an important role. It was noted that the private sector will need support and guarantees.

Content originally published at https://www.adb.org/annual-meeting/2024/events/cca-nbs