NbS seek to equitably reconcile the achievement of their primary goal(s) with any intended and unintended impacts on the continued provision of multiple benefits.
NbS have the potential to deliver on multiple benefits. However, often the benefits to one area or to a certain stakeholder group come at the cost of another area or group. For example, restoration of a forest may benefit a water utility company in a downstream city, whose water treatment costs are stabilized due to avoided increase in sediment loading. At the same time, depending on how it is structured, the forest restoration may exclude local communities from those lands and waters. Determining who receives the benefits, and who might be negatively impacted by NbS, is critical to the long-term success and fairness of NbS. It also helps develop the right responses to avoid or mitigate negative impacts on different stakeholders and rights-holders, including vulnerable groups, Indigenous Peoples and local communities (recognitional justice).
6.1 Safeguards and associated corrective actions are established through a transparent, inclusive and participatory process to address the intended and unintended negative social or environmental impacts of the NbS.
Safeguards are designed as risk response measures to be applied to interventions that may intentionally or unintentionally generate negative social or environmental impacts. Where risk associated to the NbS has been identified (Indicator 2.3 and Indicator 4.1), safeguards should be developed through transparent and inclusive consultations with affected stakeholders and rights-holders to anticipate and avoid or mitigate adverse consequences of the interventions. Safeguards may be put in place for biodiversity (e.g. setting aside a certain area for protection or limiting the timing of fishing) and for people (e.g. procedural – grievance mechanisms (Criterion 5), consultation obligations, right to appeal or substantive – contracts, legal and regulatory provisions). In case of unavoidable adverse consequences of interventions, corrective actions, including compensation (not only financial compensation), should be established through transparent and inclusive consultations with affected stakeholders and rights-holders.
6.2 Safeguards and corrective actions are documented, available, accessible to affected stakeholders and rights-holders, and implemented.
Established safeguards and corrective actions should be documented, available, publicly accessible and disclosed to affected stakeholders and rights-holders including clear information on when and how they will be reviewed. They should be incorporated into the NbS, fully implemented and monitored along with other activities (Criterion 7). This is particularly important when dealing with Indigenous communities, where Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) should be upheld and respected (Criterion 5).
6.3 Safeguards and corrective actions are periodically reviewed to ensure that they have been fully implemented, proactively address conflicts and remain relevant.
Safeguards and corrective actions need to adapt to changing circumstances, including when new activities trigger additional risks. Periodic reviews are necessary to ensure safeguards and associated corrective actions remain relevant. The periodic review should be conducted through transparent and inclusive consultations with affected stakeholders and rights-holders, and any changes need to be documented, available, accessible and disclosed to affected stakeholders and rights-holders (Criterion 7).
Table of Contents