Climate risks and hazard analysis in ASEAN : inventory of nature-based solutions (NbS) experiences in ASEAN member states, may 2025

The ASEAN region, comprising diverse landscapes and densely populated coastal and riverine areas, is among the world’s most vulnerable to climate change. It faces escalating climate hazards such as floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, heatwaves, and sea-level rise, all of which threaten human lives, economic stability, food security, and critical ecosystems. Key sectors -especially agriculture, water resources, and fisheries- are increasingly disrupted by hydrological and meteorological extremes, while urban areas struggle with heat stress, flooding, and strained infrastructure. Environmental degradation, including deforestation and coastal erosion, further intensifies the region’s exposure to climate risks. Future projections indicate that climate-related disasters will become more severe and frequent, with annual flood damages expected to exceed USD 49 billion by 2050 and droughts reducing regional water availability by up to 30%. Heatwaves are projected to triple in frequency and stronger typhoons may increase displacement and economic losses. The socio-economic impacts are vast, ranging from displacement and health crises to tourism disruptions. Building resilience through regional cooperation, sustainable land and water management, and adaptive infrastructure is critical to safeguarding ASEAN’s populations and economies in the face of mounting climate threats.

NbS Offers Practical Responses to Southeast Asia’s Challenges

Southeast Asia faces interconnected challenges, including climate change, disaster risks, food and water insecurity, and biodiversity loss. These issues are further exacerbated by rapid urbanisation, high population density, and reliance on fragile ecosystems. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a transformative framework to address these challenges. By protecting, managing, and restoring ecosystems, NbS integrate ecological restoration with social and economic benefits, providing a sustainable development pathway in a region where livelihoods are closely tied to natural systems.

Framework for Scalable NbS in Southeast Asia

This study employs an analysis of biophysical conditions, land-use categories, and ecosystem-based approaches (EbA) to contextualise NbS within Southeast Asia’s unique challenges. It evaluates attributes such as ecosystem services, socio-economic dynamics, and environmental risks, enabling the development of scalable and adaptive strategies. Stakeholder consultations and field assessments further reinforce a landscape-based framework that integrates ecological, cultural, and socio-economic dimensions. The report categorises NbS into three types, establishing a framework for their application: Minimal intervention solutions focus on conserving ecosystems such as mangroves, forests, and wetlands, which provide essential services such as carbon sequestration and storm protection.
Sustainable management solutions balance ecological resilience with human use in managed landscapes, including agriculture, urban green spaces, and coastal zones. These approaches address issues such as soil degradation and water scarcity. High-intervention solutions create new ecosystems, such as urban green infrastructure and artificial reefs, to mitigate challenges from urbanisation and industrialisation. Together, these solutions address the immediate and long-term needs of rapidly transforming landscapes while reducing climate
vulnerabilities. Opportunities and Barriers for NbS Implementation in Southeast Asia The study highlights critical NbS attributes, including alignment with biophysical conditions, relevance to land-use categories, and capacity to deliver ecosystem services like resource provision, ecological regulation, and cultural cohesion. However, it also identifies barriers to successful implementation, including technical complexities, environmental constraints, socio-economic disparities, and institutional gaps.

source:

https://asean.nbs-platform.org/nbs-in-asean/reports/