StormwaterWater Quality
Bioswales & vegetated swales
Linear vegetated channels that slow, filter and infiltrate stormwater runoff from roads, yards and parking areas.
Co-benefits
Pollutant removalHabitat stripFlood attenuationAesthetic
Applicable sectors
ConstructionIndustrialLogisticsUrban
Standards
- • IUCN Global Standard for NBS – Criteria 2, 3
- • IFC PS3 (Resource Efficiency & Pollution Prevention)
- • World Bank NBS Catalogue – Urban drainage
StormwaterUrban HeatCarbon
Green / living roofs
Vegetated roof systems that retain rainfall, reduce roof temperatures and building cooling loads, and provide habitat.
Co-benefits
Energy savingsRoof membrane longevityBiodiversity
Applicable sectors
OfficeWarehousingManufacturingUrban
Standards
- • IUCN Global Standard for NBS – Criterion 4 (economic viability)
- • IFC EHS General Guidelines – Energy conservation
- • UNEP NBS for Climate guidance
Water QualityBiodiversityErosion
Riparian buffers
Vegetated strips along watercourses that filter sediment and nutrients, stabilise banks and provide aquatic habitat.
Co-benefits
Sediment controlCooler stream temperaturesWildlife corridor
Applicable sectors
AgricultureMiningOil & GasConstruction
Standards
- • IFC Performance Standard 6 (Biodiversity)
- • World Bank ESF ESS6
- • IUCN Global Standard – Criterion 3 (biodiversity net gain)
Urban HeatAir QualityCarbon
Urban tree canopy & shade planting
Strategic native-tree planting to cool worksites, reduce heat-stress exposure, sequester carbon and intercept particulates.
Co-benefits
Worker heat-stress reductionPM₂.₅ captureAesthetic
Applicable sectors
UrbanOfficeLogisticsRetail
Standards
- • ILO heat-stress guidance
- • EU NBS Roadmap (Horizon 2020)
- • IUCN Criterion 3 (biodiversity)
Water QualityBiodiversity
Constructed treatment wetlands
Engineered wetlands that polish process and stormwater effluent through plant uptake and microbial action.
Co-benefits
BOD/N/P removalHabitatLower energy than mechanical treatment
Applicable sectors
ManufacturingMiningOil & GasAgriculture
Standards
- • IFC PS3 (pollution prevention)
- • World Bank NBS for Wastewater
- • Ramsar guidance on constructed wetlands
Stormwater
Permeable paving
Porous surface materials allowing rainfall infiltration in yards, walkways and low-traffic parking.
Co-benefits
Reduced floodingGroundwater rechargeHeat reduction
Applicable sectors
LogisticsRetailOfficeConstruction
Standards
- • UNEP NBS guidance
- • IUCN Criterion 2 (design at scale)
CoastalBiodiversityErosionCarbon
Living shorelines & mangrove restoration
Vegetated and hybrid coastal protection using mangroves, oyster reefs and marsh grasses instead of hard seawalls.
Co-benefits
Storm-surge attenuationBlue carbon sequestrationFisheries habitat
Applicable sectors
PortsOil & GasCoastal infrastructure
Standards
- • IFC PS6
- • World Bank Implementation of NBS for Coastal Resilience
- • Ramsar / Mangroves for the Future
CarbonErosionBiodiversity
Agroforestry & windbreaks
Integration of trees and shrubs into crop and livestock systems to reduce erosion, sequester carbon and diversify yields.
Co-benefits
Soil healthMicroclimate bufferingIncome diversification
Applicable sectors
AgricultureForestry
Standards
- • IFC PS6
- • FAO climate-smart agriculture
- • IUCN Global Standard
Air QualityBiodiversity
Vegetative dust & noise buffers
Layered native plantings around the site perimeter to capture fugitive dust, reduce noise propagation and screen visual impact.
Co-benefits
PM controlCommunity amenityWildlife corridor
Applicable sectors
MiningConstructionLogisticsManufacturing
Standards
- • IFC EHS Guidelines – Air emissions
- • IUCN Global Standard – Criterion 3
StormwaterWater Quality
Rain gardens & bioretention
Shallow planted depressions that capture roof and surface runoff for infiltration and pollutant removal.
Co-benefits
Flood controlPollinator habitatLow cost
Applicable sectors
OfficeUrbanRetail
Standards
- • UNEP NBS
- • EU Green Infrastructure Strategy