Role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Following Global Standard for NbS: The Bangladesh Perspective

In 2020, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) launched the global standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS). While NbS are relevant for all the countries where different societal challenges persist, in Bangladesh, NbS are highly relevant due to the presence of all forms of societal challenges like climate change impacts, water crisis, disaster risks, food insecurity, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss. In this regard, based on existing evidence, it has been found that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can offer a facilitating role in promoting NbS in Bangladesh by following the global standard for NbS. However, despite having the vision to promote digital technology for development, in Bangladesh, the role of ICT in promoting NbS is not prominent. It is, therefore, important to explore what roles ICT can play in promoting NbS in Bangladesh. This chapter aims to explore this issue by using IUCN’s global standard for NbS while looking at some cases for water management sectors in Bangladesh where NbS have high relevance. By following a case study research design based on secondary information, the paper proposes an ICT framework to facilitate NbS implementation in Bangladesh while blending some ideas generated in other contexts.