Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Moving from Policy to Practice

Why We Created This Guidance: Natural ecosystems benefit people in many ways, from regulating local climates to providing clean drinking water. The benefits supplied by natural ecosystems are collectively referred to as ecosystem services. While these services provide the basis for the livelihoods of many societies and play an important role in ensuring food, water and energy security, they are also fundamental tools in climate change adaptation. Essentially, Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA)addresses the crucial links between climate change, biodiversity, ecosystem services and sustainable resource management.In this respect, the concept of using ecosystems as a basis to adapt to the impacts of changes in climate has gained momentum in recent years and has now emerged as an important technology in the adaptation ‘toolbox’.