Combe et al. (2026): A comprehensive design framework for nature-based solutions projects focused on carbon dioxide removal: a systematic literature review of approaches, models and tools
Matthieu Combe, Tristan Briard, Fabien Harambat, Frédéric Segonds, Camille Jean, IN: Nature-Based Solutions Journal, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100333
Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) has emerged as a crucial strategy for industries and nations worldwide work to achieve carbon neutrality in the coming decades. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) such as mangrove restoration, wetland conservation or agroforestry systems present a promising approach to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and societal challenges, including carbon capture and storage. Yet, NbS standards offer useful project management guidance, but they often lack the detail needed for their design phase. Key questions such as site selection, species choice, implementation methods, and maintenance remain largely unanswered. This results in significant gaps in the practical design of NbS for CDR. The aim of this study was thus to identify NbS design methodologies alongside their associated approaches, models, and tools. Two successive literature review were conducted. First, a review of existing NbS design methodologies was conducted to identify the key steps of a NbS design framework namely definition, assessment, optimisation, and implementation as well as the different dimensions involved. Then, a systematic literature review analysed 118 articles to further detail the framework, identifying sub steps and associating specific approaches, models, and tools within each step. These include sub steps such as assessing carbon stocks, evaluating ecosystem services, modelling carbon dynamics over time, identifying synergies and trade-offs, conducting hotspot analyses while also specifying means used to conduct them. These insights are also classified into a three-tier, analytical framework that organizes steps and methods by increasing complexity and resource requirements.