Measurements of biophysical aspects of the NBS (e.g. temperature, water flow)

Nazarbayev University (NU) launched the Green Campus (GC) project in 2016 to promote environmental sustainability (2). The GC concept is based on principles of the sustainable development and aims to focus on the greenhouse gas emissions reduction and waste management processes (1, 5). The university has established a Green Campus office, a Green Campus University Committee and the NU Green Society for the implementation of the project (2).

One of the main activities of the Green Campus is organizing tree-planting events on campus. To date, more than 1000 trees have been planted, with funds donated by university sponsors or raised via the collection and recycling of campus wastepaper [3, 4]. Additionally, the initiative also implemented a separate waste collection process for six types of waste: paper, plastic, glass, metal, batteries, and light bulbs. The collected waste is sent for recycling to selected companies [2].

Before Earth Day, NU also hosts an annual Green Week in April, to promote sustainability practices within its community. The Green Week program typically includes eco-talks by experts, workshops, garage sales, vegetarian food fairs, eco-trips, art exhibitions, and environmental movie screenings [2, 4, 5]. Climate Week, training courses, and Climate Launchpad are also part of the university's green initiatives to educate students on environmental practices [5].

In 2021, the local municipal government of Navi Mumbai City and a local NGO converted a neglected urban space used as a dump yard in Nisarg Udyan into a healthy and dense forest (Ref 1,2). The aim of the project was to improve biodiversity and complement the local ecosystem, choosing specifically native species from the local area for plantation (Ref 3). By applying the Miyawaki forest technique, the project was able to transform the wasteland into a 3-acre mini-forest quickly. A civic officer on behalf of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) drove the re-forestation project jointly with the support of Green Yatra, a local NGO, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding support from Sony Music Entertainment (Ref. 1, 3).

In 2018, the Bulat Utemuratov’s Foundation began reconstruction works at the main Botanical Garden in Almaty at the request of the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction and with the support of the governor of Almaty city [1, 5, 6]. The goal of the project was the restoration of the botanic garden with preservation of its original green character and the modernization of its infrastructure [2, 5]. Taking into account the special status of the Botanical Garden and the high public interest in the reconstruction project, the Foundation ensured full transparency to the public. Taking public recommendations into considerations, the schematic design of the reconstruction was approved in the autumn of 2018 [6]. The project also aimed to do no harm to the existing flora and fauna of botanical gardens, and apply new technology to provide long service life to the garden [1, 4].

To achieve the project's goals, the water supply system was restored, drip and auto irrigation systems were created. Around 174.3 thousand plants were planted, including more than 1300 trees. Additionally, 50 thousand sq.m of roads and paths were repaired, lighting systems and video surveillance systems were installed, and the garden furniture was renovated [1]. The project also resulted in the development of three new entrance pavilions with an electronic ticketing system. A mobile application with a garden map and a description of the green areas has been developed [5]. Special attention was paid to the accessibility of all zones of the Botanical Garden for low-mobility groups. [1, 4, 5, 6].

Confirming the success of the project, within three months after the reconstruction was completed, over 210 thousand persons visited the Almaty Botanic Garden [6].

The Rajakori lake rejuvenation project aimed at reviving an existing lake using a natural and sustainable treatment system, the "Scientific Wetland with Active Biodigester (SWAB)". SWAB technology uses a two-step process involving (i) a sedimentation tank equipped with a biodigester and (ii) a constructed wetland system. The untreated sewage waste is passed through this two-step process that uses microbes and plants to reduce pollutant levels. The project also involved redeveloping the public space around the lake for community use (Ref 1,2). Before 2017, the lake was overfilled with sewage and waste from nearby neighbourhoods due to a lack of proper sewage management. Initiated by the Delhi Government, the project aimed at using low-cost natural methods rather than conventional techniques involving concretized bases and chemicals to treat water (Ref 1, 4). Due to its success and cost-effectiveness, this project now serves as an excellent example for other projects within Delhi (Ref 5).

In 2010, to revamp the Raja Musa Forest Reserve (RMFR), a rehabilitation project was initiated by the Friends of North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest Association (a local NGO) in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. As part of the largest peat swamp forest complex on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the Raja Musa Forest Reserve (RMFR) is an important home to many threatened species, as well as a valuable ecosystem in the fight against global warming. Despite this, over the years the forest has been subjected to fires and illegal encroachment which severely reduced its area (1). The project was considered unique as it was an innovation aimed to enhance and strengthen the capacity of the local community in peatland water management and forest rehabilitation works (3,5). Activities included among others rehabilitation of the degraded peat forest through the plantation of new seedlings, demonstration of, and provision of a documentary model for community-based peat swamp forest rehabilitation, as well as the creation of an awareness programme with the local community and dissemination of educational materials (2).
The importance of the intervention consists not only in the implementer's approach in regard to nature-based solutions but also in its aim of documenting a "model of low-cost hydrologic restoration of peat swamp forest" which ultimately should be replicated in similar conditions but in various locations (2).

The Kota Damansara Community Forest Reserve is a forest located 10 km west of Kuala Lumpur in the state of Selangor and is the oldest managed forest reserve in Peninsular Malaysia. As the reserve was threatened over the years by plans for clearing and housing development, the community located in the township close to the forest sprang into action to salvage the forest. As early as 2003 an organization called Friends of Kota Damansara was formed to lead a diverse group of concerned individuals, organisations and communities to rally together to vocally defend the forest (2, 3). Efforts to protect and conserve the forest focused on a series of activities such as the development of a biodiversity management plan, awareness-raising activities, educational activities, building capacity activities, and the creation of an ethnobotanical garden to showcase Temuan (local indigenous people) knowledge of plants (1). These efforts were funded with the help of the UN's GEF's Small Grants Programme and led to the reserve being officially gazetted as of 18 February 2010 (Sel GN 398/2010) and being classified as amenity forest, education forest and research forest, making up 3% of land area in the state of Selangor (1, 2). Nowadays, the Kota Damansara Community Forest Reserve Trails is a popular weekend destination for mountain bikers, trail runners and casual hikers (3). Furthermore, the KDCFP has become much more accessible and utilizable by visitors from various categories of societies, besides researchers discovering and documenting a number of species of flora and fauna unique or endemic to the park (1).

Balili River, situated in the province of Benguet, is among the many urban rivers in the Philippines that suffer from severe pollution due to various human activities. Indiscriminate dumping of waste in almost all of its 23 tributaries is a significant contributor to the pollution. Despite this, the river remains a critical source of irrigation for farmers in La Trinidad who primarily grow strawberry and salad crops in the valley. However, the use of contaminated water from the river poses a direct threat to the food safety of consumers of these crops. Moreover, during the summer, the black water of the Balili River is a constant eyesore in the community. To address these environmental concerns, a pilot study was conducted aimed at exploring treatment options for the polluted water in Balili River. The study focused on assessing the use of local plants to restore biodiversity, conserve wildlife habitats, and test the phytoremediation potential of local macrophytes. The pilot area was established within the Organic Farm of Benguet State University near the main stream of the Balili river. The study set up two types of constructed wetlands (CW), a surface flow CW for floating plants and a horizontal subsurface flow CW for emergent plants. The results of the pilot study suggest that constructed wetlands could be an effective solution for cleaning up the Balili River. The implementation of constructed wetlands in Balili River can not only improve the water quality but also benefit the local community and ecosystem. [1,2]

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners collaborated in 2018 to develop an ecosystem restoration project in the Rohingya Camps of Ukhiya, near Cox's Bazar. The main objective of this project was to mitigate the increased risk of landslides, slope instability, and flooding caused by flash floods and the vicinity of the Bakkhali River. The intervention included the planting of quickly growing native trees, shrubs, and grass species. Additionally, the project encompassed other measures such as vegetable cultivation on stream beds, biological soil stabilization methods, and plant-based wastewater treatments. To ensure the sustainability of the project, a network of future practitioners from the Bangladeshi and Rohingya communities was created. Moreover, environmental education and awareness activities were undertaken to complement the efforts of the project, with a particular focus on engaging young people from both the host and refugee communities to maximize its impact. The area where the project was implemented has been significantly affected by land and forest degradation over the last few decades, which has been exacerbated since the arrival of Rohingya refugees in 2017. Therefore, the project also involved other stakeholders such as the International Center for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Danish Refugee Council, the World Food Programme, the International Organization for Migration, and the Bangladesh government, each contributing in various capacities to achieve the project's objectives. (1,2,3,4)

Vinh is the biggest city in north-central Vietnam and is the hub for economic and cultural development in the region. As of 2018, the city has a population of approx. 500,000 inhabitants and is located on the Ca River delta, 160 miles (260 km) south of Hanoi. Flooding and poor environmental sanitation are major impediments to the development of Vinh City. The drainage system of the city is comprised of four catchment basins connected to Rao Dung, Ke Gai, Vinh and Lam Rivers. Among the four, the Vinh River is flowing through the central wards and communes of Vinh City and is one that becomes sensitive to severe flooding events frequently (2,3).
Recently (in 2021), with support from the World Bank, the government initiated a program, the Vinh City Priority Infrastructure and Urban Resilience Development Project (VPIUR), which is expected to bring a new look to the river, reduce the risk of flooding in urban areas and strengthen urban management capacity to adapt to climate change. This project has several sub components and one of them is a river rehabilitation and upgrade under the form of riverbank green, sanitation, and flood risk management (1, 3).
The implementation includes a comprehensive set of structural and non-structural interventions, including flood control systems and nature-based solutions, wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure, and key transport links. The project aims to transform it into green public spaces which are to be constructed under the project. The project also aims to invest in developing green public spaces along the Vinh riverbank and a new regulation lake. (3)

In 2005, a constructed wetland was established in Barangay Villareal, Bayawan City in order to improve a peri-urban settlement and promote domestic wastewater treatment with reed beds. The wetland covers an area of 2680 square metres and comprises two reed beds, with the first bed utilizing perforated pipes beneath a sand and gravel substrate for vertical flow filtering, and the second bed utilizing horizontal flow for biological filtering. The roots of the Phragmites karka reeds, which are used in the system, act as a natural filter, removing microorganisms and pollutants. The treated effluent is reused for various purposes, such as watering plants, firefighting, and irrigating ornamental plants and agricultural crops. The overarching objective of the initiative is to safeguard coastal waters from pollution caused by domestic wastewater and enhance residents' quality of life by providing safe sanitation and wastewater treatment facilities. Furthermore, the initiative seeks to showcase the effectiveness of constructed wetlands, encourage the use of locally available reeds for wastewater treatment, and conserve water and nutrients by reusing treated wastewater. [1,2].