a5studio From 13–16 October 2025, global leaders in climate adaptation gathered in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, for the eighth biennial Adaptation Futures Conference (AF2025). Hosted by the University of Canterbury with regional and international partners, the event served once again as the flagship platform of the UNEP World Adaptation Science Programme (WASP).
Among the key contributors was the Urban Climate Change Research Network (UCCRN), which presented new insights from its ongoing Third Assessment Report on Climate Change and Cities (ARC3.3), focusing particularly on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for urban resilience.
List of Contents
A Growing Role for Nature-Based Solutions in Cities
Nature-based solutions—ranging from reforestation and wetlands restoration to green roofs, parks, and community gardens—are increasingly recognized for their ability to respond to climate shocks while delivering social, ecological, and economic co-benefits.
During their AF2025 sessions, UCCRN researchers emphasized that NbS are not merely “green add-ons,” but essential strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation. Yet, despite their recognized value, funding flows remain limited: an analysis of major donor databases shows that only 6% of projects between 2000 and 2024 were classified as urban NbS.
Nevertheless, the past decade has seen a notable shift, with a 135% increase in NbS initiatives from the 2010s to the 2020s. This trend suggests growing recognition of the need to integrate ecosystem services and climate projections directly into the design of resilient urban systems.
The City Solutions Case Study Atlas: A New Global Resource
One of the major tools highlighted by UCCRN at the conference was the emerging City Solutions Case Study Atlas (City CSA)—an interactive, geo-referenced digital platform that compiles climate actions and solutions from cities worldwide.
The Atlas aims to:
- support policymakers and urban practitioners in designing evidence-based strategies,
- facilitate cross-regional knowledge exchange,
- strengthen the scientific foundation for global assessments, including the upcoming IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.
A significant number of the case studies feature NbS and Indigenous knowledge, mirroring the broader themes of AF2025 and reinforcing the idea that climate action must be context-specific and locally informed.
UCCRN Showcases ARC3.3 Nature-Based Solutions at Adaptation Futures 2025
Based on an article by Chelsea Huffman, Sustainability Management Student at Columbia University, originally published by UCCRN.
From October 13-16, 2025, the 8th biennial Adaptation Futures Conference (AF2025) was held in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Centering Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Justice
Another key discussion hosted by UCCRN focused on Indigenous leadership in climate adaptation, co-organized with Klimatorium (Denmark), Wakatū Incorporation, and Indigenous scholars from Aotearoa.
Speakers highlighted how Indigenous knowledge systems provide crucial insights for land, water, and ocean stewardship, offering pathways for more equitable and locally embedded adaptation strategies. The session underscored the importance of creating networks—similar to Klimatorium’s model—that connect research institutions and communities, making scientific knowledge accessible, actionable, and responsive to local priorities.
Key Insights from AF2025
Across the three sessions, several overarching messages emerged:
- Urban NbS remain underfunded, and scaling them will require investments at both local and global levels.
- The City Solutions Case Study Atlas will serve as a valuable repository for cities seeking practical, data-driven examples of climate adaptation.
- Indigenous knowledge is indispensable to the future of NbS and climate justice, offering tested strategies for resilience grounded in generations of environmental stewardship.
By showcasing these findings and tools, UCCRN reaffirmed its mission to help cities worldwide act as leaders in climate adaptation.
To read the full original article by Chelsea Huffman, Sustainability Management Student at Columbia University: https://uccrn.ei.columbia.edu/news/uccrn-showcases-arc33-nature-based-solutions-adaptation-futures-2025
