The Nature-based Solutions Initiative

What The Nature-based Solutions Initiative does

The Nature-based Solutions Initiative (NbSI) is an interdisciplinary academic research initiative founded in 2017 by Professor Nathalie Seddon at the University of Oxford, jointly based in the Departments of Biology and Geography within the Smith School for Enterprise and the Environment. NbSI conducts research on nature-based solutions addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and societal challenges through an integrated methodology that combines ecology, social sciences, Indigenous and local knowledge systems, and human-centred design. Its portfolio spans tropical forest frontier research (Flourishing Landscapes Programme in Ecuador, Ghana, and Vietnam; Sustain-Cocoa; HARP Toolkit), UK landscapes (woodland creation, peatland emissions, UK pulses roadmap), and supply-chain sustainability initiatives with palm oil (Oxford-MSPO INSPIRE Lab), coffee, and cocoa sectors.

NbSI's core outputs include the NbS Evidence Tool (the first global systematic evidence map on NbS effectiveness), the Knowledge Hub, a Case Study Platform, four NbS Guidelines, and the HARP Toolkit. The organization also delivers the NbS Foundation Course for professionals and the annual NbS Symposium. NbSI is funded primarily through research grants from the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC), the Agile Initiative at the Oxford Martin School, DEFRA, NERC, and other charitable and government sources, with supplementary income from professional education. It serves governments and policymakers, academic and research communities, private-sector commodity companies, NGOs, and practitioners across more than 12 countries.

The organization operates as a non-profit research entity within the University of Oxford without venture capital or equity ownership, with grant-funded projects, policy advisory work, peer-reviewed publications, and convening events forming its primary go-to-market channels. Notable partners include WWF Ecuador, PanNature, The Wildlife Trusts, NatureMetrics, WTW, MSPO, and universities including KNUST, Tay Nguyen University, ETH Zurich, Cambridge, and Queensland.

Name

The Nature-based Solutions Initiative

Legal name

Nature-based Solutions Initiative

Website

https://naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Nature-based Solutions Initiative is an Oxford University interdisciplinary research initiative that develops evidence-based tools, policy briefs, and professional education on nature-based solutions for climate, biodiversity, and agricultural challenges, serving governments, researchers, NGOs, and commodity supply-chain actors globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental and Sustainability Research Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPADALAD), Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation) (EUABABAC), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Adaptation & Resilience Planning Platforms (CAPEX Prioritization, Cost–Benefit, NBS) (EUABALAH)

Keywords

• Climate change research
• Nature-based solutions
• Sustainability research
• Environmental policy advisory
• Biodiversity conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Oxford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Funding: Primary funding from research grants including Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC), Agile Initiative, UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes, DEFRA partnerships, and various charitable foundations. The Flourishing Landscapes Programme is one of thirteen recipients of first round GCBC grants.
2. Professional Education: Nature-based Solutions to Global Challenges Foundation course offered for professionals on science, policy, practice, finance and governance of nature-based solutions. Next available course: April 2026.
3. University of Oxford Support: Based in Department of Biology and School of Geography (Smith School), receiving institutional support from University of Oxford including postdoctoral positions and research infrastructure.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Nature-based Solutions Initiative is an academic research organization at the University of Oxford that conducts interdisciplinary research, develops evidence tools and guidelines, and delivers professional education on nature-based solutions for climate, biodiversity, and societal challenges. It produces peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, research toolkits (such as the HARP Toolkit and NbS Evidence Tool), and runs the NbS Foundation Course for professionals and the annual NbS Symposium.

Product overview

The Nature-based Solutions Initiative (NbSI) is an academic research organization at the University of Oxford that develops and provides tools, platforms, educational programs, and research initiatives focused on nature-based solutions. Its portfolio includes: the Evidence Tool and Knowledge Hub for accessing research and evidence; the Case Study Platform and NbS Guidelines for practical implementation guidance; the Foundation Course for professional education; and research initiatives including AGRIIH, the Flourishing Landscapes Programme, Sustain-Cocoa, and the HARP Toolkit. These offerings work together to advance the understanding, implementation, and scaling of nature-based solutions for climate mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity protection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NbS Evidence Tool A systematic evidence mapping tool that consolidates the dispersed evidence-base on the effectiveness of nature-based solutions for addressing climatic impacts and hydrometeorological hazards. Targeted at researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking structured NbS effectiveness evidence.
• Knowledge Hub A centralized platform for accessing resources, research findings, and knowledge products related to nature-based solutions. Targeted at researchers, practitioners, and policy professionals seeking consolidated NbS knowledge.
• Case Study Platform A platform showcasing practical case studies of nature-based solutions implementations across various contexts and regions. Targeted at practitioners and policymakers seeking real-world implementation examples.
• NbS Guidelines Four guidelines for successful, sustainable nature-based solutions developed by a consortium of UK-based organisations, providing clear definitions and guiding principles for NbS implementation. Targeted at governments, businesses, and practitioners implementing NbS.
• Nature-based Solutions to Global Challenges Foundation Course A professional course covering the science, policy, practice, finance and governance of nature-based solutions, offered by the University of Oxford for professionals. Next available course: April 2026. Targeted at professionals from investment, consultancy, academia, government, and NGOs.
• Agricultural Resilience Impact and Innovation Hub (AGRIIH) Initiative focused on transformational shift in agricultural research impact, engaging industry and stakeholders to co-develop novel research that transforms agricultural systems for a sustainable future. Targeted at the UK agricultural sector and stakeholders.
• Flourishing Landscapes Programme (FLP) Programme addressing the triple challenge of livelihoods, climate change, and biodiversity loss at tropical forest frontiers through landscape-scale transdisciplinary research in coffee and cocoa production landscapes in Ecuador, Ghana, and Viet Nam. Targeted at development partners, value chain actors, and conservation organizations.
• High Agricultural Reforestation Potential (HARP) Toolkit A set of tools designed to facilitate sustainable agroforestry-based reforestation in tropical agricultural landscapes, co-designed with coffee and cocoa value chain actors. Targeted at value chain actors in cocoa and coffee producing landscapes at forest frontiers.
• Oxford-MSPO INSPIRE Lab A partnership between Oxford's Smith School and Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil focused on advancing knowledge, innovation, and policy for an inclusive, climate-resilient, and nature-positive palm oil sector. Targeted at palm oil value chain stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers.
• Sustain-Cocoa Research investigating conditions under which supply chain sustainability initiatives can lead to reduced deforestation and increased shade-tree cover in cocoa production systems. Targeted at cocoa supply chain actors, policymakers, and researchers.
• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function Responses to Woodland Creation Project exploring biodiversity and ecosystem function responses to different woodland creation methods, examining natural regeneration versus planting approaches in UK woodland sites. Targeted at UK woodland restoration stakeholders, policymakers, and conservation partners.
• Managing Uncertainties in Habitat Greenhouse Gas Emissions Project exploring challenges in estimating emissions and developing mitigation pathways for environmental greenhouse gases, focusing on biogenic methane emissions from peatlands. Targeted at UK policymakers and conservation practitioners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached 1,200 national decision-makers with National Emergency Briefing on climate and nature emergencies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for the Flourishing Landscapes Programme. GCBC is a UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) research programme funded by DEFRA, managed by DAI Global with Royal Botanic Gardens Kew as Strategic Science Lead. One of 13 first-round grant recipients.
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch consortium partner in Flourishing Landscapes Programme focusing on Ghana coffee and cocoa landscapes.
• Tay Nguyen UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch consortium partner in Flourishing Landscapes Programme focusing on Viet Nam coffee landscapes.
• Universidad Regional Amazónica IkiamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch consortium partner in Flourishing Landscapes Programme focusing on Ecuador.
• PanNaturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO consortium partner in Flourishing Landscapes Programme for conservation in Vietnam.
• WWF EcuadorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO consortium partner in Flourishing Landscapes Programme for conservation and sustainability.
• NatureMetricssupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing biodiversity monitoring capabilities in Flourishing Landscapes Programme.
• WTWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance partner in Flourishing Landscapes Programme exploring risk sharing mechanisms with insurance industry.
• MSPO (Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship funder and partner for Oxford-MSPO INSPIRE Lab focused on sustainable palm oil regenerative economy. Partnership between University of Oxford's Smith School and MSPO.
• The Wildlife TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in peatland emissions project investigating how updates to peatland emission factors would change estimated emissions and confirm restoration contributions to net-zero ambitions.
• Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in habitat greenhouse gas emissions project exploring policy implications for methane emission reductions.
• The Carbon CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in woodland creation research in Wales, assessing biodiversity responses to treatments optimizing woodland carbon sequestration.
• Highlands RewildingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Scottish Highlands research comparing natural regeneration to tree planting and consequences for carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
• Trees For LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Scottish Highlands research within Trees for Life's Wild Trees Survey exploring tree regeneration dynamics.
• Leverhulme Centre for Nature RecoverysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOxford-based partner in woodland creation research on forest establishment and soil communities.
• ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in Sustain-Cocoa project exploring conditions for supply chain sustainability initiatives to reduce deforestation.
• University of QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in Sustain-Cocoa project on cocoa supply chain sustainability.
• Stockholm Environment InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in Sustain-Cocoa project on sustainable cocoa sourcing.
• Alliance Bioversity InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in Sustain-Cocoa project on biodiversity protection in cocoa sector.
• University of CambridgesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in Sustain-Cocoa project.
• The Agile Initiative (Oxford Martin School)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNbSI directly manages the Agile Initiative, an Oxford Martin School programme on transformational change for sustainability.
• DEFRA (UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in research project on deforestation and UK food resilience, funded by Agile Initiative.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organisation producing data, tools, and policy guidance on climate, nature, and sustainable commodity supply chains. Closely comparable to NbSI's evidence-to-policy model, with broader portfolio including flagship forest and NbS workstreams.
• CIFOR-ICRAF: Global research centres on forestry and agroforestry, with deep tropical forest coverage and commodity-supply-chain research. Comparable to NbSI's tropical landscape research, particularly Flourishing Landscapes and Sustain-Cocoa.
• Stockholm Environment Institute: Independent research organisation conducting policy-relevant environmental and development research. NbSI is already a partner within the Sustain-Cocoa consortium, and the two operate highly comparable evidence-to-policy models.
• Forest Trends: NGO creating market-based mechanisms for forest and NbS finance, with strong tropical commodity supply-chain work. Closely overlaps NbSI's focus on sustainable sourcing, deforestation, and NbS finance.
• Climate Focus: Specialized climate and NbS advisory firm working on REDD+, forestry, and land-use finance for governments and corporates. Direct comparator on NbS project development, commodity supply chains, and policy advisory — overlapping NbSI's tropical forest portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Chatham House — Energy, Environment and Resources programme: Policy research institute with a dedicated environment and resources programme on NbS, climate, and commodity governance. Mirrors NbSI's policy advisory and convening role in the UK and globally.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Global conservation authority producing nature-based standards, NbS definitions, and policy guidance. Broader portfolio than NbSI, but directly comparable on NbS framework-setting and the science–policy interface.
• IIASA (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis): International research institute producing systems and risk-modelling evidence on climate and land use. Comparable to NbSI on evidence-mapping and adaptation analytics, with deeper modelling capacity.

Emerging players

• South Pole Group: Climate solutions company working across NbS, carbon markets, and corporate sustainability. Comparable as a NbS intermediary, but commercially structured; relevant proxy for the private-sector interface NbSI is increasingly engaging with through WTW and MSPO partnerships.
• Carbon Brief: Climate-focused science and policy media outlet producing evidence-based journalism widely consumed by UK policymakers and decision-makers. Adjacent to NbSI's National Emergency Briefing and policy-engagement work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NatureBasedSols

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Nature-based Solutions Initiative