Nature-Based Solutions Innovation Accelerator (NBS-IA)
The Italian Government’s initiative for Central Asian countries, “Sustainable Infrastructure through Nature-based Solutions”
Alessandra Fidanza, Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security | Astana, April 2026
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An urgent need�for NBS in infrastructure
By 2030 climate change could push up to 132 million people into poverty.
Transportation, energy, water and other infrastructure are highly vulnerable to climate hazards like flooding, extreme weather, sea level rise. (OECD, 2024)
Natural hazards contribute to huge financial losses, leading to an estimated USD 15 billion annually in direct damage to transport systems worldwide (SLOCAT, 2025)
POVERTY
ECONOMIC LOSS
INFRASTRUCURE
90% of disasters worldwide are water-related, primarily floods and storms which damage roads, bridges, and utilities/ (UNISDR, 2015)
The economic cost of disasters impacting Tajkistan’s road network is estimated at around 0.5% of GDP per annum, or around 445 million somoni in 2022 (World Bank, 2021)
WATER-RELATED DISASTERS
TAIJIKISTAN
SUBSAHARAN AFRICA
the cost of adaptation to be between US$30 billion and US$50 billion annually over the next decade, or about 2-3% of the region’s GDP (WMO, 2024)
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An urgent need�for NBS in infrastructure
By 2030 climate change could push up to 132 million people into poverty.
Transportation, energy, water and other infrastructure are highly vulnerable to climate hazards like flooding, extreme weather, sea level rise. (OECD, 2024)
Natural hazards contribute to huge financial losses, leading to an estimated USD 15 billion annually in direct damage to transport systems worldwide (SLOCAT, 2025)
POVERTY
ECONOMIC LOSS
INFRASTRUCURE
90% of disasters worldwide are water-related, primarily floods and storms which damage roads, bridges, and utilities/ (UNISDR, 2015)
The economic cost of disasters impacting Tajkistan’s road network is estimated at around 0.5% of GDP per annum, or around 445 million somoni in 2022 (World Bank, 2021)
WATER-RELATED DISASTERS
TAIJIKISTAN
SUBSAHARAN AFRICA
the cost of adaptation to be between US$30 billion and US$50 billion annually over the next decade, or about 2-3% of the region’s GDP (WMO, 2024)
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© jeanne-Rouillard, Unsplash
What are nature-based solutions for?
Investing in resilient infrastructure saves $4 for every $1 spent, protecting economies and the global assets at risk from rising climate impacts.
Nature-Based Solutions in infrastructure can contribute to mutual, synergistic progress on sustainable development, climate change, and biodiversity.
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Investing in resilient infrastructure saves $4 for every $1 spent, protecting economies and the global assets at risk from rising climate impacts.
Nature-Based Solutions in infrastructure can contribute to mutual, synergistic progress on sustainable development, climate change, and biodiversity.
What are nature-based solutions for?
© jeanne-Rouillard, Unsplash
Ecological breakwaters (eg. mangroves, salt marches, reefs) �
Strategic sediment management (e.g restoring riverine ecosystems).
PORT
Preserved floodplains, stormwater wetlands, retention ponds, sunken parks, seepage wells and green roofs.
Integration of vegetation into buildings to increase energy efficiency.
URBAN BUILDINGS
Combining green infrastructure with renewable energy technologies.
Vegetation to reduce heat-stress for energy production sites and distribution.
ENERGY
Slope stabilization by vegetation, roadside tree planting.
Afforestation along roads and urban corridors to act as windbreaks and help prevent damage/disruptions from dust storms.
ROAD
TRANSPORT
Sustainable water management
Embedding nature-based solutions in dam infrastructure.
WATER
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What are the nature-based solutions?
© jeanne-Rouillard, Unsplash
Investing in resilient infrastructure saves $4 for every $1 spent, protecting economies and the global assets at risk from rising climate impacts.
Nature-Based Solutions in infrastructure can contribute to mutual, synergistic progress on sustainable development, climate change, and biodiversity.
Ecological breakwaters (e.g. mangroves, salt marches, reefs) �
Strategic sediment management (e.g. restoring riverine ecosystems).
PORT
Preserved floodplains, stormwater wetlands, retention ponds, sunken parks, seepage wells and green roofs.
Integration of vegetation into buildings to increase energy efficiency.
URBAN
Combining green infrastructure with renewable energy technologies.
Vegetation to reduce heat-stress for energy production sites and distribution.
ENERGY
Slope stabilization by vegetation, road/railway side tree planting.
Afforestation along roads and urban corridors to act as windbreaks and help prevent damage/disruptions from dust storms.
TRANSPORT
Sustainable water management
Embedding nature-based solutions in dam infrastructure.
WATER
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To meet the urgent need for greener, more resilient infrastructure, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and UNEP have created the Nature-based Solutions Innovation Accelerator (NBS-IA).Over five years, the initiative will help bring nature into the design of roads, cities, and systems across Central Asia and Africa.
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By piloting integrated Nature-Based Solutions that work alongside built assets. |
Evidence from pilots will be crucial to de-risk investment, shape enabling policies, and prove the commercial and operational viability of working with nature. |
NBS-IA
Nature-Based Solutions Innovation Accelerator
WHEN NATURE BUILDS WITH US
Nature can work with our roads, houses, cities, and ports to protect us from floods, heat, and storms — making communities stronger and more resilient. To make this happen, we need to invest in designs that let nature and infrastructure grow together.
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NBS-IA
Nature-Based Solutions Innovation Accelerator
To meet the urgent need for greener, more resilient infrastructure, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, UNEP and OECD have launched the Nature-based Solutions Innovation Accelerator (NBS-IA). Over five years, this global initiative will help bring nature into the design of transport, cities, and energy systems across Central Asia and Africa.
By piloting integrated Nature-Based Solutions that work alongside built assets. |
Evidence from pilots will be crucial to de-risk investments, shape enabling policies, and prove the commercial and operational viability of working with nature. |
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Geographical scope
(Phase I)
AFRICA
Algeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania
(e.g. port and logistic infrastructure)
CENTRAL ASIA
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
(e.g. energy, water, transport, urban infrastructure)
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Central Asia
2024-2025
Africa
UNECE
University of Genoa
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Scoping analysis
University of Genova
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Methodology
How NBS-IA supports projects
HOW?
Grant support.
Minimum 30% of co-financing
FOR WHO?
Consortia are eligible.
Partners could include:
WHAT FOR?
Design phase: innovative design ideas for still non-existing infrastructure or component.
Pilot phase: clear demonstration of NBS integration to existing infrastructure, as well as climate benefits and economic viability.
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Roads and railways
Solutions
Risks | Solutions | Impact |
Structural damage by heat. | SHADE PROVISION | Increased durability and better pavement performance, fewer repairs, and associated cost savings (McPherson and Muchnick, 2005). This approach can ensure the stable operation of transport infrastructure while protecting surrounding ecosystems and mitigating sandstorms, thereby reducing environmental risks and adverse impacts on nearby settlements. |
Floods caused by melting glaciers and extreme weather | EVAPOTRANSPIRATION | |
Dust storms | GRASS GRID SYSTEM |
© chaojie-ni, Unsplash
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Infrastructure protection
Solutions
Risks | Solutions | Impact |
Landslides | VEGETATION IN SLOPED AREAS | Vegetation acts as a barrier against the movement of rocks, debris, and soil.��In addition, vegetation lowers soil moisture through interception, evaporation, and transpiration. And it improves drainage in the area. Less flooding risks, clean water, recreational spaces, |
Floods | RE-MEANDERING RIVERS WETLAND / RIVERBANK RESTORATION TRANSVERSAL BARRIER REMOVAL�WATER INFILTRATION |
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Risks | Solutions | Impact |
Rising temperatures | GREEN SPACES RE-NATURALIZATION | It can accelerate the building sector’s transition towards a more sustainable, circular, toxic-free, energy –efficient and climate – resilient model |
Cities
Solutions
© scotty-mcdonald, Unsplash
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Risks | Solutions | Impact |
Biodiversity loss Water quality and quantity loss | WATERSHED RESTORATION | It can improve the quality and quantity of water entering reservoirs, limit sedimentation and reduce maintenance costs and downtime for dredging. Managing upstream vegetation and agricultural land can also be more cost-effective than engineering-based solutions, ultimately reducing costs for consumers. |
Hydropower
Solutions
© Pixabay
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Risks | Solutions | Impact |
Damage by extreme winds and waves. | MANGROVE-BASED BREAKWATERS | Protect port areas while stabilising the shoreline. These ecosystems also foster biodiversity and sequester carbon. |
Sea-level rise | STRATEGIC REUSE OF DREDGED SEDIMENTS | Limits future dredging needs and mitigates sea-level rise, combining sediment management with coastal protection and ecological restoration. |
Loss of ecosystems and livelihoods | COASTAL DUNE PARK AND GREEN BUFFER | Contributes to landscape regeneration and noise mitigation, enhancing biodiversity, improving air quality, and providing accessible green areas for the community. |
Ports
Solutions
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Timeline
2025 Q3 | Q4 | 2026 Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | 2027 on | |
Scoping missions | Calls for proposals | Screening, assessment & DD | Grant award | Implementation | |||
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- Central Asia, 2 April 2026 - Africa, 8 April 2026 |
| Announcement Agreement signing
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NBS-IA Finance Facility (NFF)
(phase II _ under development)
Vision |
De-risk and scale green-grey solutions via blended finance, transitioning from grants to commercial models. |
Mission |
To leverage 5 to 8 times the amount put in the facility to help meet the need for $300 billion annually to developing countries by 2035, and to build climate-resilient infrastructure and invest in sustainable development (UNFCCC, 2024). |
NBS-IA
Finance Facility
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NBS-IA Finance Facility (NFF)
Catalysing nature-based infrastructure solutions investment
The NBS-IA Finance Facility will de-risk the integration of NBS in built infrastructure investments to mobilize public finance and private capital.
It aims to crowd-in public funding and to mitigate risks that deter private investors. Through the establishment of a network of public co-funders and private co-financiers, it paves the way for scaled up uptake and investment in resilience infrastructure through nature-based solutions.
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Credit enhancements
Technical assistance
Blended finance instruments
Deepen and/or expansion of geographical scope
Support public and private financial institutions for the development of NBS focused infrastructure investment funds
Objective | Geographical scope |
Modernize energy grids and scale digital, sustainable energy solutions in emerging economies. | Countries in 3DEN Phase II �Brazil, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania. |
Thematic focus areas | Outcomes |
Urban energy systems (smart grids, distributed renewables, EV charging) Agri-food industries (solar-powered irrigation, energy-efficient processing) Utilities (grid digitalization, demand-response systems, storage) | Decarbonization, energy efficiency, grid resiliency, digital integration |
Origination of bankable pipeline
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NBS-IA & NFF
NBS Innovation Accelerator (NBS-IA)
NBS-IA Finance Facility (NFF)
Type of support
Design phase
Implementation phase
Technical assistance
Fund development support
Credit enhancement support
Beneficiary
Technical assistance
Consortia (companies, developers, local authorities, etc)
Financial institutions (public/private)
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Thank you!
For more information, please contact:
nbs-ia@mase.gov.it
nbs-ia@un.org
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