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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

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The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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Featured Pathways

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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

More pathways

Book a demo

Pricing

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Plans & Membership

Our Platform

Expert led content

+1,000 expert presented, on-demand video modules

Learning analytics

Keep track of learning progress with our comprehensive data

Interactive learning

Engage with our video hotspots and knowledge check-ins

Testing & certification

Gain CPD / CPE credits and professional certification

Managed learning

Build, scale and manage your organisation’s learning

Integrations

Connect Sustainability Unlocked to your current platform

Featured Content

More featured content

The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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Introduction to Nature-based Solutions

Introduction to Nature-based Solutions

James Clifton

25 years: Sustainability strategy

In this video, James Clifton introduces what nature-based solutions are, why they are important and the barriers to implementation. This video will explore how a nature-based solution qualifies as being high quality and how these solutions can benefit the wider community and have a lasting benefit on the natural ecosystem.

In this video, James Clifton introduces what nature-based solutions are, why they are important and the barriers to implementation. This video will explore how a nature-based solution qualifies as being high quality and how these solutions can benefit the wider community and have a lasting benefit on the natural ecosystem.

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Introduction to Nature-based Solutions

10 mins 18 secs

Overview

Nature-based solutions is an umbrella term that encompasses any solution that results in improved ecological and sociological outcomes. Nature is by far the most powerful tool that we have to combat the climate crisis. Nature pulls carbon from the atmosphere, increases climate resilience and can reduce emissions.

Key learning objectives:

  • Understand how nature can play a significant role in the fight against climate change

  • Understand why nature-based solutions are important

  • Understand what makes a high quality nature-based solution

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Summary

How can nature-based solutions play a role in the fight against climate change? 

A landmark 2017 article published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States concluded that nature-based solutions are an essential part of combating climate change, and could account for 37% of the carbon mitigation needed before 2030 to prevent warming over 2 degrees celsius. Land use from forestry, agriculture, and development currently contribute around one quarter of the total global emissions, whereas implementing large-scale nature-based solutions could turn current sources of carbon emissions into future carbon sinks. 

What makes a quality nature-based solution?

To qualify as high quality Nature-based Solutions, they must adhere to the 8 principles agreed upon by the IUCN. They must: 

  1. Address societal challenges
  2. Be designed with scale in mind
  3. Result in biodiversity net gain
  4. Be economically viable
  5. Be based on transparent and inclusive governance
  6. Balance trade offs (costs, benefits and risks) fairly
  7. Be managed adaptively based on evidence
  8. Align to sustainable, national and other policy frameworks

Why are nature-based solutions challenging to implement?

When compared to other solutions, such as technology that captures carbon from the atmosphere, or grey infrastructure, like dams, seawalls, or water treatment plants, Nature-based Solutions have been historically undervalued and underfinanced. Current challenges to scaling up nature-based solutions include a lack of standardised accounting systems quantifying nature-based solutions benefits, the high complexity of developing projects within diverse ecological-social frameworks, and a shortage of enabling policies and financial mechanisms. 

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James Clifton

James Clifton

James Clifton is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Cultivo, a fintech company whose mission is to unlock investment in nature at scale. He is a technology entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience building data-driven technology ventures from ideas to IPO. 

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