Nature for Water Facility Scaling nature-based solutions to improve global water security

The degradation of 90 percent of the world’s urban watersheds has led to water scarcity projected to affect two-thirds of the global population by 2050. The primary cause is poor land use upstream, which reduces water quality and leads to diminished water flow due to high downstream demand. While most communities and institutions rely on expensive grey infrastructure solutions – such as reservoirs, aqueducts and treatment plants – nature-based solutions, including reforestation and sustainable agricultural practices, can offer an effective upstream alternative. The Nature for Water Facility, which is comprised of a team of specialists within The Nature Conservancy, aims to provide local sponsors of watershed investment programs with expert support to centralize resources, share best practices and eventually deliver technical assistance, stakeholder management and implementation services based on local requirements.