How our nature-based projects support disaster prevention and recovery

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction,

every $1 invested in disaster risk reduction now saves $15 in post-disaster recovery

. Nature-based solutions (NbS) can help prevent both natural and human-induced incidents by protecting and restoring ecosystems that naturally buffer the planet against disasters.

Climate and weather-related disasters have been accelerating since the 1960s,

and have increased by nearly 35% since the 1990s

. In the past decade alone, these events have caused over 410,000 deaths, mostly in low and lower-middle-income countries, and affected 1.7 billion people worldwide. 

Luckily, nature-based solutions can help mitigate these impacts. For instance, the restoration of

mangroves in coastal regions can reduce up to 66% of wave energy

in the first 100 m of forest width, significantly reducing storm damage. Reforestation projects stabilise soil, reducing the risk of landslides in vulnerable areas.

SDG 13 (Climate action)

:

Our projects help reduce the impacts of climate change by restoring degraded landscapes, reducing carbon emissions, and implementing sustainable land management practices that safeguard project areas from extreme weather events.

SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities)

:

By integrating communities into nature-based projects, through employment opportunities and active participation, we empower urban and rural residents to adapt to climate change. Centering communities in sustainability projects empowers them to become proactive agents of change. This participatory approach reduces disaster risks, improves water security, and fosters sustainable livelihoods, ultimately creating a more resilient and thriving environment for everyone.

Our projects

work to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events before they occur. They restore coastal mangroves that act as natural barriers against storm surges; regenerate forests to reduce wildfire risks; and stabilise degraded land to prevent both floods and droughts. These proactive measures lessen the severity of disasters and safeguard vulnerable communities.

Beyond prevention, Earthly projects support communities in the aftermath of disasters by restoring damaged ecosystems, replenishing groundwater tables, and improving soil health to accelerate recovery. Furthermore, through ongoing training, financial support, and better forest management initiatives, our initiatives help local communities rebuild and adapt to future climate challenges, fostering long-term sustainability.

Here, we spotlight someEarthly-supported projects that facilitate disaster prevention, recovery and long-term resilience.

The Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve project

hosts community training and awareness campaigns to help reduce habitat loss. Local communities are educated on fire risks, early warning systems, and sustainable land management practices to minimise human-induced wildfires. These efforts help prevent large-scale peatland degradation, which would otherwise release vast amounts of carbon and contribute to worsening climate conditions.

Additionally, by preserving peatlands, the project reduces the risk of flooding during heavy rains and maintains groundwater levels during droughts, ensuring water security for both wildlife and local communities. The retention capacity of peatlands also helps to slow down water runoff, decreasing soil erosion and minimising damage to infrastructure.

The Tigray war (2020-2022), triggered severe famine in the region. Luckily, locals enrolled in the

EthioTrees project

were able to use earnings from carbon credit sales to buy food, helping them withstand the crisis. To support the wider community, 18 villages set up systems to allocate food and funds to the most vulnerable, with the project facilitating the process by working with banks and local leaders to ensure efficient distribution. The project has since expanded into a direct cash-for-food program, benefiting nearly 30,000 families.

Beyond its immediate humanitarian response during the war, the project helps prevent disasters by planting native trees, preventing overgrazing through exclosures, and installing percolation ponds.

The Kukumuty project

has constructed water-retaining swales for the community that help improve water infiltration and storage, reducing the risk of droughts. These swales also minimise soil erosion, preventing land degradation and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity. 

Additionally, the project introduces other conservation techniques, such as contour planting and agroforestry systems, which stabilise the landscape and reduce vulnerability to heavy rainfall and flooding.

In recent decades, increased human activity and climate change have intensified the frequency and severity of wildfires in the Miombo forest. The Kukumuty project addresses this by implementing controlled burning practices, establishing firebreaks, and setting up community-managed mulching zones to prevent the spread of destructive fires.

The

Delta Blue Carbon project

restores and expands Pakistan’s mangrove forests, which serve as natural barriers against coastal hazards. Mangroves are highly effective in reducing the impact of tidal waves and flooding by stabilising shorelines and absorbing wave energy. This is particularly important for Pakistan, one of the most vulnerable countries on the

Long-Term Climate Risk Index

, where extreme weather events have intensified in recent years. By replanting mangroves, the project enhances the region’s resilience, protecting coastal communities from the devastating effects of cyclones and rising sea levels.

The project also mitigates the long-term risks of climate change-related disasters, such as saltwater intrusion and land degradation. The newly restored mangroves help regulate local climate conditions and reduce the severity of droughts and heat waves.

Spain faces increasing threats from wildfires and droughts, driven by rising temperatures and a lack of effective forest management. The

Mijares forest restoration project

tackles these challenges by reforesting 200 hectares of burnt land with fire-resistant native species and implementing better forest management initiatives, including ongoing training for local communities to reduce fire risks and promote sustainable land stewardship.

The project also helps stabilise the groundwater table by improving soil structure and enhancing water retention. Restoring degraded land through strategic planting and erosion control measures prevents soil loss and strengthens the region against further environmental decline.

Earthly’s high-impact projects

drive long-term sustainability by restoring ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Our projects go beyond carbon removal - they actively support disaster prevention, recovery, and long-term adaptation, helping communities withstand the increasing threats of wildfires, floods, droughts, and extreme weather events.

For businesses committed to climate action, ESG goals, and long-term sustainability, investing in our nature-based solutions offers measurable impact.

Talk to us

to understand how you can integrate these projects into your sustainability strategy and drive meaningful change.