Nature-based solutions (NbS), such as forest and wetland conservation, integrated water resource management and restorative agriculture, can significantly enhance resilience to disasters and climate change. NbS not only can reduce exposure to hazards or act as natural buffers against them, but they can also remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and promote ecosystem integrity, both of which are important for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA). Furthermore, nature-based solutions can foster local employment and economic opportunities, enhancing social resilience. They also tend to be cost-effective. However, investments in nature-based solutions for DRR and CCA are still insufficient.

This training will introduce the participants to NbS for DRR and CCA, including the fundamental principles and Global Standards for NbS. The course will also help guide the participants in setting up and implementing NbS for resilience-building through NbS case studies from various countries in Asia and the Pacific.

At the end of this training, participants should be able to:

• Define nature-based solutions, including fundamental principles and the Global Standard for nature-based solutions (IUCN).
• Explain how NbS can contribute to disaster and climate resilience.
• Provide practical, how-to-do information on setting up and implementing nature-based solutions (NbS) for DRR and CCA.
• Discuss the contribution of NbS in strengthening the sustainable use and management of ecosystems for building resilience to disasters triggered by natural hazards and climate change.
• Present case studies on how nature-based solutions are used in Asia and the Pacific Countries.

With the effects of climate change becoming more evident, NbS can greatly enhance resilience to disasters and climate change. Not only can they reduce exposure to hazards or act as natural buffers against them, they can also remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and promote the integrity of ecosystems, which are both likely to be critical in the achievement of DRR and CCA goals.

Given that the recent COP 26 agreement will set the global agenda on climate change for the next decade, DRR and CCA professionals are strongly encouraged to attend this course.

The modules and the sessions to be covered in order to achieve the course objectives are as follows:

Module 1: Introduction to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience

• Session 1: Important Terms and Concepts

Module 2: Introduction to Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

• Session 1: Nature-based Solutions: Key Concepts and Fundamental Principles
• Session 2: Global Standards for Nature-based Solutions

Module 3: The Need for Nature-based Solutions in a Changing Climate

• Session 1: Importance of Nature-based Solutions
• Session 2: Country Cases: Before and After NbS

Module 4: Implementing Nature-based Solutions in DRR and CCA

• Session 1: Reducing Disaster Risk, Strengthening Ecosystem Management and Increasing Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change Through NbS
• Session 2: Opportunities and Barriers for NbS Implementation: Learning From Experiences
• Session 3: NbS for Different Hazards: Floods and Landslides

Module 5: Investing in Nature-based Solutions

• Session 1: Resilience through Investing in Ecosystems - knowledge, innovation and transformation of risk management (RELIEF Kit)
• Session 2: Healthy ecosystems: Important Allies in Reducing Risk and Increasing Resilience for People and the Environment
• Session 3: Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) in NbS

Module 6: Action Planning

• Applying global standards in NbS: Re-entry Planning

The course is open for those from various sectors including government departments, NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies, and the private sector. Participants from policy and senior management levels are welcome if they are keen know more about NbS and how they are implemented so they can effectively support NbS interventions.

This course shall use various trainer-centered methodologies, including:

Participatory lectures and discussions
Presentations
Group exercises
Case studies
Exposure visits
Pre- and post-tests

Investment for the course is USD1,600.00 with accommodation and USD1,300.00 without accommodation. The fee is inclusive of cost of instruction, morning and afternoon snacks including lunch for five (5) days, soft copies of course materials and course certificate upon completion.

Interested individuals and organizations can register online at www.adpc.net/apply.

For more information about the course, you may also contact Thanyaphat Sirasakpureekul at thanyaphat@adpc.net and telephone numbers +66 22980681 to 92 Ext. 134.

Due to limited slots for this course, interested parties must register on or before August 12, 2022.

If you are selected to attend the course, the payment should be transferred to ADPC's account through a bank transfer not later than August 19, 2022. Otherwise, your participation will be cancelled.