Projects supported by the Nature-based Solutions Accelerator

The NbS Accelerator is supporting the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) with enhancing the investment readiness of a project they’re leading on. The project is focused on reducing human-elephant conflict within the south-eastern Western Forest Complex (sWEFCOM) of Thailand.  

In partnership with Human Elephant Voices Network (HEVN), this project aims to reduce human-elephant conflict through a sustainable financing model with the adoption of alternative farm agroforestry models that deliver human-elephant coexistence in the sWEFCOM landscape. The project team are designing an investible business model in collaboration with local stakeholders, including farmers who have the option to transition from cash crops that attract elephants (like cassava, sugar cane, and banana) to a coffee-centred agroforestry model.

The agroforestry model combines an overstorey of native tree species to provide shade for coffee plants, with supplementary cash crops cultivated underneath. The project seeks to address the core issues driving human-elephant conflict, while simultaneously improving income opportunities and land-security for smallholders (through improved land lease arrangements). Additionally, it contributes to carbon sequestration in the landscape, enhancing its ecological value. 

With the support of the NbS Accelerator, ZSL will establish the optimal agroforestry model for the area and develop a clear investment proposition to support uptake across an area of 2000 hectares.

The Nature for Norwich project is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that serve multiple purposes: creating ecologically resilient landscapes while simultaneously diversifying farm income and mitigating the environmental impact of development. The project is jointly led by the Crown-Point Estate, Water Resources East (WRE), and Swallowtail Consulting.  

The Estate covers an area of approximately 2000 hectares, with the project exploring the potential for nature-based solutions through a range of approaches. This includes habitat creation in strategic areas and on less productive land, the establishment of riparian buffers, and, potentially, to help improve water quality of the river Yare. The overarching goal is to identify optimal land use scenarios that strike a balance between positive outcomes for people and nature.  

A core focus of the project is to demonstrate how to harmonise multiple revenue streams from the burgeoning nature markets in the UK. These encompass critical areas like water security, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity net-gain (BNG). The Nature for Norwich project is a testament to collaboration, uniting the efforts of the project partners (above) with the Whitlingham Charitable Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Anglian Water, Norfolk County Council, and University of East Anglia.  

With the NbS Accelerator’s support, the project aims to demonstrate the technical and financial feasibility of NbS for addressing water security challenges. This endeavour forms an important part of a broader strategy aimed at driving large-scale investment in NbS in the UK. 

The Regenerative Cattle Ranching project, led by WWF-Peru, has a clear goal: to encourage, and scale up, regenerative cattle ranching practices in Madre de Dios. This effort is part of a broader landscape-level regional programme. Under this project, ranchers will receive support to implement sustainable practices, such as better grassland management, organic methods, silvopastoral systems, and freshwater conservation and management techniques. These changes will allow cattle to graze naturally, improve soil health, and promote biodiversity.  

For local ranchers, this means lower input costs and higher yields, which can help reduce the pressure driving forest conversion and deforestation. WWF-Peru will work closely with ranchers and regional experts to validate the revenue model and make a strong case for local bank agri-lending, further advancing this important project. 

The NbS Accelerator will support the project to develop a strong business case for the model, establish robust monitoring techniques, and deepen engagement with participating ranchers.