Global consensus on NbS amid worldwide crises: corporate action is key

In an era of escalating climate change and biodiversity crises, there is a global consensus on the need to find effective pathways to address environmental and social challenges. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have been internationally recognized as a crucial component of this pathway. As one of the leading nations in global NbS initiatives, China has not only been a pioneer but has also accumulated extensive practical experience in areas such as territorial spatial planning and the integrated restoration of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands, and deserts. These efforts have injected robust "Chinese momentum" into the global advancement of NbS.

As an important entity that has impact and dependency on nature, the private sector should play a leading role in implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and putting its principles into practice. Their engagement will directly determine the quality and effectiveness of NbS both in China and globally. However, the global reality is that most enterprises still lack sufficient understanding of NbS and face numerous challenges when attempting to integrate these concepts into their development strategies and practical initiatives.

How to engage more enterprises in understanding and practicing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) has become an urgent global challenge in mainstreaming NbS. Yet within this challenge lies tremendous potential: when businesses truly engage in NbS, they not only inject new vitality into their own sustainable development but also contribute indispensable corporate strength to global ecological conservation and sustainable progress — a value that will grow increasingly prominent in the years ahead.

The GoldenKey Campaign × IUCN: Accelerator program empowers corporate upgrading in NbS implementation

To address this challenge and support Chinese enterprises in achieving breakthroughs in NbS, "GoldenKey — SDG Solutions" has joined forces with the IUCN China Country Office to launch the Global NbS Accelerator program. This innovative initiative provides a "golden key" for businesses to explore and showcase their NbS.

Since its launch in 2020, the "GoldenKey —  SDG Solutions" campaign has garnered widespread participation from international organizations, professional institutions, academic entities, and enterprises. Hundreds of enterprises have submitted 2,351 solutions aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Now in its sixth year, the campaign has evolved into an enabling platform, offering professional support to help businesses broaden their global perspectives. Through the accelerator program, over 40 corporate cases supporting NbS were collected, with preliminary expert reviews identifying more than 10 enterprises demonstrating strong NbS foundations.

On September 8, to further empower enterprises in exploring and refining their Nature-based Solutions (NbS), a collaborative workshop titled "Global NbS Demonstration Cases" was successfully held. The session was supported by the Corporate ESG Research Center of the Ecological Civilization Institute at Renmin University of China and the Institute of Ecological Environment and Climate Governance of the Academy of National Governance at the University.

Dr. Zhu Chunquan, former IUCN China Representative and member of the IUCN Green List Global Committee, was invited as the "GoldenKey NbS Head Coach." Together with experts from Renmin University's School of Ecology and Environment and the IUCN China Country Office, he provided in-depth training on NbS principles, global standards, and best practices to participating enterprises. The IUCN China NbS specialists also offered one-on-one guidance to help enterprises deepen their understanding of NbS and refine their case presentations from a global perspective.

On September 19, with the strong support of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the "Global NbS Demonstration Cases Roadshow by Enterprises" was successfully held. Fifteen enterprises took the stage, each presenting their NbS practice stories within six minutes. Nine industry experts provided on-site commentary and guidance, helping the enterprises refine their action plans and enhance the value of their solutions across multiple dimensions—from conceptual understanding and technical approaches to logical frameworks and narrative impact.  

"The national competitions and and sector-specific competition of the GoldenKey select the most outstanding SDG solutions through five evaluation dimensions—If they are likened to China's national college entrance exam, the NbS  Special functions more as a 'nurturing program.' It helps participants build internal capacity and enhance their competence. We hope more enterprises will join, collaborating with experts to refine and strengthen projects, ultimately shaping them into globally exemplary cases," said Yu Zhihong, founder of the GoldenKey campaign.

Through the dual refinement of the workshop and roadshow guidance, enterprises have achieved remarkable growth in their NbS, such as the conceptual awareness, logical framing, international perspective and value articulation. These solutions have moved closer to the GoldenKey standards and global NbS guides, increasingly embodying the qualities of globally demonstrative projects.

What's more promising is that the accelerator program has built a vital bridge for Chinese enterprises to the international stage. After expert review, 12 cases aligned with NbS principles have been selected for the casebook. The program will work with specialists to refine these into globally exemplary NbS cases, transforming the wisdom and practical experience of Chinese enterprises into valuable references for worldwide NbS development.

From October 9 to 15, the quadrennial IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) will hold in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This event will bring together global natural conservation experts, leaders, and decision-makers to set priorities for nature conservation and climate action for the next decade and beyond. On October 11, the Global Demonstration Cases：Chinese Enterprises" Approaches to Nature-based Solutions (in Chinese and English) will be officially launched at an IUCN international side event, contributing China's experience and strength to global ecological conservation and sustainable development.