Introduction
The Global Tool for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is a ground-breaking spatial and financial analytics platform designed to help governments, financial institutions, development partners, and investors identify where nature can provide cost-effective protection for critical infrastructure while generating measurable social and economic benefits.
Developed by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in collaboration with the University of Oxford and supported by UK International Development, the tool combines climate risk analytics, infrastructure exposure data, and nature-based solution assessments to identify high-impact opportunities for climate adaptation investments.
The Infrastructure Risk Assessment tool provides real-time data, risk assessments, and investment-ready insights to support adaptation action at scale. By quantifying climate risks and evaluating the protective value of ecosystems, the tool enables users to identify and prioritise NbS investments that can strengthen infrastructure resilience, deliver financial returns, and generate positive outcomes for communities and the environment.
 
Why This Tool Matters
Climate change is increasing risks to roads, railways, ports, energy systems, and other critical infrastructure. At the same time, nature-based solutions such as mangrove restoration, watershed rehabilitation, floodplain restoration, and slope reforestation can reduce these risks while delivering environmental and social benefits.
Despite their potential, investments in NbS remain limited due to a lack of data, valuation methods, and investment-ready project pipelines.
The Global Tool for NbS helps bridge this gap by providing data-driven insights that support evidence-based decision-making and investment prioritization.

What the Tool Does

• Assess Climate Risks : Identify infrastructure exposed to climate hazards including: River flooding, Coastal flooding, Coastal erosion, Landslide risks, The tool quantifies potential damages and highlights areas where adaptation investments are most needed.
• Quantify the Value of Nature : Evaluate how ecosystems can reduce climate-related risks to infrastructure. The tool estimates the protective benefits of nature-based interventions and helps demonstrate their contribution to resilience.
• Identify Investment Opportunities : Screen and prioritize locations where NbS can provide the greatest resilience benefits and strongest investment case. Users can identify opportunities that align with infrastructure needs, climate adaptation goals, and financing priorities.

Who Can Use the Tool?

• Governments and Public Agencies : Support climate-resilient infrastructure planning and adaptation strategies.
• Development Finance Institutions : Identify investment opportunities that deliver resilience and sustainable development outcomes.
• Private Investors : Explore projects with measurable climate, social, and biodiversity benefits.
• Infrastructure Planners and Practitioners : Incorporate nature-based solutions into project design and long-term asset management.

Key Features

• Global coverage with high-resolution spatial analytics
• Infrastructure-focused climate risk assessments
• Nature-based solution opportunity mapping
• Economic and resilience valuation metrics
• Investment prioritization and screening capabilities
• Actionable insights for adaptation finance

Supporting Resources
Learn about the analytical framework, datasets, and methodologies used to identify NbS opportunities and assess resilience benefits.

From Analytics to Action
The tool has already informed the development of investment briefs and project pipelines in countries such as Bangladesh and Tanzania, helping identify high-priority NbS investments that strengthen infrastructure resilience while supporting biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Discover country-specific investment opportunities and project pipelines.