Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have emerged as a prominent framework in environmental research and policy for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and urban sustainability.However, questions remain about the extent to which NBS represents a transformative approach rather than a symbolic discourse.This study critically evaluates the trajectory of NBS literature through a systematic analysis of 1,380 Web of Science-indexed articles published between 2014 and 2024.A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative trend analysis and thematic topic modeling (LDA) was employed to identify dominant research patterns.Findings reveal that while urban planning, climate change adaptation, and water management are recurring themes, empirical studies constitute only 36% of the dataset.The remaining 64% are dominated by theoretical and policyoriented discussions.Furthermore, risks of greenwashing and the financialization of NBS are identified as critical challenges undermining its potential impact.The study concludes that NBS must move beyond conceptual framing by adopting rigorous empirical methodologies, standardized evaluation criteria, and inclusive governance mechanisms.Without such advancements, NBS risks becoming a rhetorical placeholder rather than a viable environmental solution.
Source: Bursa Uludag University - AVESIS
Author: Zeybek, Osman
Institution: Bursa Uludağ Üni̇versi̇tesi̇
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7132361635