A Comparison of Nature-based Solutions and Related Policies for UrbanEnvironment in China and Canada

Abstract

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are considered and implemented in many places around the world as a means to mitigate the impact of climate change on the urban environment. NBS can provide useful approaches to mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce energy consumption of buildings, sequestrate carbon from the atmosphere, as well as improve comfort to pedestrians in the urban environment. However, the implementation of NBS usually requires extra resources, i.e., valuable land within the urban fabric, additional funds for the design and construction of buildings that incorporate NBS, and additional operational costs for maintaining relevant systems, which may conflict with individual building owner’s interests, but nonetheless, be beneficial for the public at large. Under these circumstances, relevant policies should be established to set minimum performance requirements and incentives be introduced to encourage the implementation of relevant practices. China and Canada have set a target of achieving carbon neutral, by 2060 and 2050, respectively. Implementing such policies is critical for realizing the contributions of NBS in the building sector and helping achieve carbon neutrality in urban areas. For the study described in this paper, polices related to the implementation of NBS as issued by selected cities in China and Canada are reviewed. Scopes and limitations of policies from these two countries are summarized and compared. Suggestions and requirements provided in the policies are discussed in conjunction with the findings and conclusions from scientific articles related to the NBS.

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