Certificate Course on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR)

1. Introduction.

 Natural disasters have consistently resulted in widespread destruction, loss of life, economic disruption, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. The destruction of ecosystems can create cascading effects that compromise biodiversity and the overall health of our planet. As climate change continues to escalate the frequency and intensity of these disasters, it becomes imperative to take proactive measures to mitigate their impacts and build resilient communities and cities.

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) represent a critical approach to minimizing the effects of natural disasters. By leveraging the power of ecosystems, NbS offers sustainable, cost-effective, and resilient solutions to climate change and disaster risks. These solutions enhance the socioeconomic landscape, enabling communities to cope with and adapt to natural disasters by reducing vulnerabilities and increasing resilience. However, significant capacity gaps must be addressed to realize NbS's potential fully. Many communities lack the necessary knowledge, resources, and institutional frameworks to implement these solutions effectively. Increasing learning opportunities on NbS is vital for building this capacity. This includes training programs that educate stakeholders on ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR), which integrates biodiversity conservation into disaster risk management strategies.

Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction involves utilizing natural ecosystems—such as wetlands, forests, and mangroves—to mitigate the impacts of disasters. For example, restoring mangrove forests can reduce coastal flooding and erosion, while reforesting upland areas can prevent landslides. By understanding and promoting these relationships, communities can develop more effective disaster preparedness and response strategies. In summary, addressing the challenges of managing disasters requires a multifaceted approach that includes enhancing capacity for Nature-based Solutions and integrating ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction into community planning. By fostering a deeper understanding of these concepts and providing the necessary tools for implementation, we can build resilient communities capable of thriving in the face of climate change and its associated risks.

• The United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS) and the Ocean University of Sri Lanka will jointly offer this program at the national level for Sri Lanka
• UNU-CRIS will support the development of the course content, develop teaching and learning materials, and coordinate resource persons with the support of PEDRR, integrating PEDRR's existing MOOC https://pedrr.org/MOOC/
• The complete course duration is 25 hours, with five thematic sessions, online discussion 10 hours, self-learning 10 hours, and assignments requiring 5 hours.
•  Delivery Mode: Online program with learning sessions and interactive discussions
• The lecture time is 2 hours per day, twice a week, including discussion sessions.
• Lectures start at 7 pm to 9 pm (SL time) from February 11^th to February 25^th,2025(every Tuesday & Thursday).
• Both International and local experts will conduct the sessions.
• Qualification for the participants – University students and professionals working on activities and assignments related to the topic (preferably graduate students)
• All participants must register online (and a small fee may be charged for managing logistics if necessary).
• All successful participants (80% attendance) will receive certificates with the signatures of both institutional officials.

2. Proposed Thematic Sessions.

Five thematic sessions focusing on the potential of NbS and Eco-DRR for coastal and other  landscapes.

• 2 hours all days 7 pm to 9 pm (Sri Lankan time), including Q and A
• Dates- February 11^th - 25^th, 2025.
• In case of interest: please reach out to Nidhi Nagabhatla (nnagabhatla@cris.unu.edu) and/or Padmi Ranasinghe (pranasinghe@cris.unu.edu)