Environmentally Sound Technologies are defined as technologies that protect the environment, are less polluting, use all resources in a
more sustainable manner, recycle more of their wastes and products and handle residual wastes in a more acceptable way than the
technologies for which they are substitutes. They can also be referred to as “clean” technologies.
Increasing the uptake of environmentally sound technologies can result in several benefits for the environment, including reduced air
pollution. Access to cost-effective technologies through trade can help to both stimulate the green economy and to achieve global sustainable development objectives.

This Briefing Note introduces how resilience thinking, which considers interactions within a coupled socialecological system, can help to navigate the adaptation challenge and explores the use of ecosystems as part of the solution to the overall challenge. It also discusses a number of challenges inherent to EbA itself and how to move forward in addressing them.

This briefing note provides an overview of EbA measures commonly implemented in particular ecosystems (mountains, drylands, wetlands, coasts, and urban systems), reflecting interventions supported by UN Environment EbA projects, and highlights through example outcome indicators how their contribution towards achieving identified adaptation goals can be monitored. To set the scene, it describes typical degradation cycles for terrestrial and coastal ecosystems and explores the environmental, climatic and socio-economic dynamics particular to selected ecosystems.

To respond to climate change hazards and impacts, an overall adaptation strategy should be devised drawing on the full range of possible adaptation solutions.
This briefing note provides an overview of the range of adaptation approaches that can be implemented alongside EbA measures to form a holistic adaptation strategy. It explores complementarities and limitations between measures, as well as how to bring together the various approaches effectively under one strategy.