Environmental Health Effects of Climate Change Adaptation Plans with a Focus on the Co-Benefits of Nature-Based Solutions
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Facing increasing climate risks, South Korea's local governments are adopting adaptation plans in which nature-based solutions offer a sustainable, cost-effective approach with multiple benefits.Objectives: This study aims to analyze the application of nature-based solutions within local climate adaptation plans in South Korea and examine the co-benefits and trade-offs.Methods: This study classified 9,212 local climate adaptation measures into six types of nature-based solutions, and evaluated their co-benefits and trade-offs by applying the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services framework of nature's contributions to people.Results: Among the 9,212 local climate adaptation measures implemented in South Korea, 795 cases (8.63%) were identified as nature-based solutions, with a strong concentration in forest creation and ecological restoration, particularly in the forestry/ecosystem and water management sectors, and demonstrated diverse co-benefits-particularly in the health domain-when assessed using the framework of nature's contributions to people. Conclusions:The study highlights that nature-based solutions not only serve as effective climate adaptation strategies, but also generate significant ecological and public health co-benefits, underscoring the need for more integrated, cross-sectoral nature-based solutions applications in future policy design.
Authors: Jin-Han Park, Taelyn Kim
Institutions: Korea Environment Institute, Sangji University
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Award: G6175543602
OpenAlex ID: W4413804724