Tackling the global pollution crisis
through nature-based solutions
Tackling the issue of global pollution is one of Resilient Coasts’ top priorities, so we were eager to make a contribution to the Reducing Pollution Through Partnership programme, launched by DEFRA and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in 2021. Furthering project aims to help low- and middle-income countries that are disproportionately impacted by global pollution, we provided the JNCC with a bespoke data-screening methodology for identifying and documenting global case studies with nature-based solutions (NbS) at the core.
Pollution is recognised as one of the most serious global challenges we face, threatening the natural environment and human health. Environmental pollution comes in many forms, from single-use plastics littering land and oceans, to toxic chemicals contributing to declining biodiversity and air pollution impacting human health.
The Reducing Pollution Through Partnership programme was launched by DEFRA and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in 2021. The project aims to assist low- to middle-income countries, who are disproportionately impacted by global pollution, by reducing their exposure to pollutants and managing its adverse effects. Action against pollution will help to reverse biodiversity loss and support ecosystem resilience to the affects of climate change.
Resilient Coasts are proud to have a portfolio of innovative projects tackling the issue of global pollution. Our team contributed to this important project in 2022, creating a data-screening methodology to identify case studies around the world tackling pollution NbS. From the 283 identified case studies, a selection were reviewed in detail to determine the pollution mitigation measures applied, success indicators and lessons learnt.
The revised database and summary of pollution related findings, including detailed case study reviews, will be used as a key source of information by the JNCC and DEFRA, essentially functioning as the detailed guidance for how NbS can be used globally to reduce pollution and help facilitate communication with recipient countries.
The final report and NbS database are available on the JNCC website.