Nature-based Solutions for the Arab Region: A Collection of Case Studies

The Arab region faces multiple converging challenges including rapid urbanization, water scarcity, environmental degradation and, in some contexts, conflict and displacement. Additionally, the increasing risks of climate change impacts, coupled with these interconnected issues, place mounting pressure on already strained urban systems and natural resources. In this context, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a promising pathway to address these challenges. By harnessing ecosystems to enhance resilience and improve quality of life, NbS can deliver multiple co-benefits. These can range from water security and disaster risk reduction to public health, biodiversity protection, and job creation. However, knowledge of locally adapted, scalable practices in the Arab region remains fragmented and under-documented. 

This joint report by UN-Habitat and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) explores the growing role of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in addressing the Arab region’s most pressing challenges. Drawing on a diverse set of case studies from across the region, the publication showcases practical, scalable approaches to water management, coastal restoration, urban greening, and sustainable land use and agroecology. It demonstrates how locally adapted and often nature-inspired solutions, many of which are rooted in traditional and indigenous knowledge, can improve livelihoods and strengthen climate adaptation. By capturing these experiences, the report serves as a regional knowledge resource aimed at informing policy, inspiring replication, and advancing the integration of nature into urban planning and investment.