National Wildlife Federation

09/30/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2024 13:17

Growing Support for Nature-Based Solutions

Efforts to strengthen community resilience in the face of climate change continue to advance, and this year's FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) National Competition highlights continued progress with an emphasis on nature-based solutions (NBS). On July 2, 2024, FEMA announced that 56 projects, spanning 22 states and the District of Columbia, were selected to receive $674.5 million in funding for the BRIC National Competition. Of these, FEMA claims that 57% of these project selections incorporate nature-based solutions, reflecting the growing recognition of NBS as a key tool for climate resilience.

What are Nature-Based Solutions?

FEMA defines nature-based solutions as sustainable practices that integrate natural features into the built environment to bolster community resilience and mitigate climate impacts. Examples range from coastal wetlands and living shorelines to green roofs, permeable pavement, and urban greenspaces. These solutions help manage stormwater, enhance flood protection, restore ecosystems, and improve the overall quality of life in urban and rural areas.

To learn more about the numerous co-benefits and resilience protections that nature-based approaches provide at various scales, read NWF's report, The Versatility of Nature-Based Solutions: Protections and Benefits from the Parcel to Community Scales.

A New Point System for NBS in BRIC FY2023

This year marked a significant change in how FEMA evaluates projects incorporating nature-based solutions. For the first time, a tiered point system was introduced as part of the BRIC Technical Criteria evaluation. Projects incorporating watershed- or landscape-scale NBS received a full 15 points, while neighborhood- or site-scale solutions earned 5 points, out of a possible 100 points.

This distinction may indicate FEMA's efforts to prioritize large-scale, impactful nature-based solutions, reflecting the agency's commitment to support innovative and sustainable infrastructure.

NWF RiSC Program, Dune Grass Planting, March 20, 2023

A Closer Look at the Data

Based on a best-judgement review conducted by NWF, 16 out of 56 projects were identified as having nature-based components. Although efforts to prioritize nature-based activities continue, the percentage of nature-based projects has fluctuated. In FY2022, FEMA claimed 64 out of 124 projects as NBS, compared to 21 out of 53 in FY2021, and 18 out of 22 in FY2020.

Of the 16 projects in FY2023, seven projects were found to have nature-based solutions as a primary or significant component. The remaining nine projects included NBS as a minor or less significant component. Based on this analysis, there were some additional project descriptions that lacked sufficient detail, making it difficult to fully assess the scope of their nature-based components.

Justice40 and NBS

A noteworthy trend is the intersection of nature-based solutions and equity. Thirteen of the 16 NBS projects (81%) are tagged as benefiting the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to direct 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities. This highlights how nature-based solutions can address environmental justice by providing underserved communities with climate resilience benefits.

Recommendations for the Future

While the increased focus on nature-based solutions is encouraging, there are several areas for improvement. NWF recommends that all public-facing project descriptions provide more detailed information on nature-based activities. Currently, there's a discrepancy between the 57% of projects that FEMA claims include NBS and the 29% identified in NWF's review. Greater transparency would clarify which projects are earning NBS points through the Technical Criteria evaluation and help track the actual implementation of these solutions.

Moreover, FEMA should consistently indicate whether a project is classified as "neighborhood- or site-scale" or "watershed- or landscape-scale" in future BRIC cycles. This would enhance understanding of how nature-based solutions are being categorized and implemented across the country.

Conclusion

FEMA's BRIC FY2023 program shows promising growth in the incorporation of nature-based solutions, but there's still work to be done. By refining project descriptions and evaluation criteria, we can better track progress and ensure that these sustainable solutions are helping build more resilient, equitable communities nationwide.

As nature continues to prove itself as a powerful tool in combating climate change, it is vital that our infrastructure investments reflect this reality. Nature-based solutions are not just environmentally sound-they are essential to a resilient, sustainable future.

To learn more about BRIC's FY23 project selections with nature-based components, check out NWF's full analysis here.