Nature-based Solutions 9
Nature-based Solutions in Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Programs:
A New Frontier for Sustainable Workforce Well-being.
In an era marked by climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and rising occupational stress, Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs must move beyond a narrow focus on regulatory compliance alone. Traditional EHS frameworks have successfully reduced injuries and ensured workplace standards, but they often stop short of addressing the broader environmental and psychosocial factors that affect employee well-being.
Enter Nature-based Solutions (NbS)—an emerging, integrative approach that merges environmental sustainability with human health, offering a pathway for EHS programs to expand their impact across ecosystems and workplaces. Nature-based Solutions are defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as actions that protect, manage, or restore natural ecosystems to address societal challenges like climate change, disaster risk, and public health. In EHS contexts, NbS align with both environmental stewardship and occupational health by creating work environments that are healthier, more resilient, and more connected to the natural world.
Rethinking EHS Through the Lens of NbS.
EHS programs focus on three critical areas:
Environmental Management
Occupational Health
Workplace Safety
Nature-Based Solutions can enhance each of these domains in the following ways:
1. Environmental: Greener Operations, Cleaner Outcomes.
NbS can reduce the ecological footprint of industrial and commercial operations:
Green infrastructure (e.g., bioswales, green roofs, constructed wetlands) helps manage stormwater run-off, reduce GHGs and transition to alternative energy use, and lower air, water, and soil pollution.
Reforestation and biodiversity restoration around facilities can enhance air and water quality while also functioning as natural carbon sinks that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Nature-positive procurement encourages sourcing the supply chain with raw materials and supplies that minimize ecosystem degradation.
These nature-aligned practices not only meet regulatory standards but also contribute to climate mitigation and corporate sustainability goals.
2. Health: Biophilic Design and Worker Well-being.
Occupational health is more than hazard avoidance—it’s about promoting thriving, resilient workforces. NbS promote:
Biophilic design elements in office and industrial spaces, such as natural light, living walls, and indoor plants, which have been shown to reduce stress, fatigue, and absenteeism.
Access to nature through green break areas, walking paths, or outdoor meeting spaces improves mental clarity, reduces anxiety, and enhances job satisfaction.
Green exercise programs or "walking meetings" incorporate movement and nature exposure, leading to physical and psychological benefits.
These improvements in the workplace environment can reduce burnout and turnover while increasing morale and productivity.
3. Safety: Resilience and Risk Reduction.
NbS contribute to workplace safety by increasing system resilience and decreasing exposure to environmental hazards:
Natural shading and ventilation reduce heat exposure and mitigate the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially in outdoor and industrial settings.
Flood-buffering green spaces protect facilities and personnel from extreme weather events and climate-related disruptions.
Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) strengthens emergency preparedness and informs facility placement decisions, particularly in regions most vulnerable to climate impacts.
Integrating NbS into safety planning ensures that both infrastructure and human systems are protected against future shocks.
Making the Business Case for NbS in EHS.
Incorporating Nature-Based Solutions into EHS programs offers measurable co-benefits:
More presenteeism and less absenteeism.
Lower healthcare costs with more healthier, resilient employees.
Enhanced recruitment and retention in nature-positive workplaces.
Risk reduction in climate-sensitive operational zones.
Alignment with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) frameworks
Companies that lead with nature in their EHS strategies signal a commitment to employee well-being and environmental responsibility—both of which are increasingly important to investors, consumers, and regulators.
A Systems-Based Approach: From Silos to Synergy.
Implementing NbS within EHS programs requires breaking down silos:
Collaboration among sustainability officers, occupational health experts, facility managers, and human resources is foundational for success.
Workers and community stakeholders should be engaged in co-designing nature-based interventions to ensure cultural relevance and sustained impact.
Key performance metrics should be developed, implemented, and evaluated that are relevant and capture both ecological and human health outcomes, moving beyond compliance to systems transformation.
Conclusion: Regenerating EHS for the Future.
Nature is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. As we redefine the scope of workplace wellness and environmental responsibility, integrating Nature-Based Solutions into Environmental, Health, and Safety programs offers a powerful model for regenerative and resilient work environments. NbS can elevate EHS from a risk mitigation tool to a strategic driver of health, sustainability, and organizational excellence.
