Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA)
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
EbA is a critical strategy for climate change adaptation, offering sustainable, cost-effective, and equitable solutions, especially for vulnerable coastal communities. UPSC examines India's climate resilience strategies, environmental policy, and sustainable development goals, making EbA a key concept for understanding India's approach to environmental challenges and disaster management.
Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) is an approach that uses biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help people adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. It involves the conservation, sustainable management, and restoration of ecosystems to provide services that reduce vulnerability to climate change.
Facts & tables
- Mechanism
- Utilizes natural ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses, and wetlands as natural buffers against climate impacts such as storm surges and sea-level rise.
- Co-benefits
- Offers multiple benefits beyond climate resilience, including livelihood support (e.g., honey collection, crab farming), biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem strengthening.
- Cost-effectiveness
- Often more cost-effective and sustainable in the long run compared to 'grey' engineered infrastructure (e.g., seawalls, groynes), which can be expensive to maintain and may displace risks.
- Challenges in India
- Faces hurdles due to fragmented mandates, weak monitoring, a preference for visible engineered infrastructure, and ambiguity in classification and terminology, leading to under-recognition and underfunding.
| Feature | Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) | Engineered/Grey Adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Uses natural ecosystems and their services | Uses man-made structures (e.g., seawalls, embankments) |
| Cost | Often more cost-effective in long run | High initial and maintenance costs |
| Benefits | Provides multiple co-benefits (livelihoods, biodiversity) | Primarily focused on protection, can displace risks |
| Sustainability | Self-sustaining, strengthens ecosystems | Requires continuous maintenance, can degrade natural systems |
| Examples | Mangrove restoration, coral reef protection | Seawalls, groynes, tetrapods |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas |
| Conceptual area | Environmental Law & Policy |
| Conceptual area | Welfare Schemes & Social Policies |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| National Coastal Mission | Implements |
| Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) | Regulates |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- EbA uses natural ecosystems for climate change adaptation.
- Examples include mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrasses.
- Provides co-benefits like livelihood support and biodiversity.
- Often more cost-effective and sustainable than engineered solutions.
- Challenges include lack of recognition, fragmented policy, and funding gaps in India.
Treaty = agreement between states; body = institution.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2025 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2022 | Conceptual understanding, Terminology-based question |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2016 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2016 | Policy measures, Purpose or function of a policy tool |
| 2014 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
Timeline
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Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Conceptual area
-
Environmental Law & Policy
Conceptual area
-
Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2014
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2016
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2016
Policy measures, Purpose or function of a policy tool
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2022
Conceptual understanding, Terminology-based question
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
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When mangroves do what seawalls cannot
Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) leverages natural ecosystems for climate adaptation, providing co-benefits like livelihood support and biodiversity conservation, often outperforming costly engineered solutions. India needs to better recognize, classify, and integrate EbA into its coastal planning and adaptation policy.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2014–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
When mangroves do what seawalls cannot
Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) leverages natural ecosystems for climate adaptation, providing co-benefits like livelihood support and biodiversity conservation, often outperforming costly engineered solutions. India needs to better recognize, classify, and integrate EbA into its coastal planning and adaptation policy.
Try these PYQs
The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2 °C above the pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3°C above the pre-industrial level, what can be its possible impact/impacts on the world?
1. Terrestrial biosphere tends toward a net carbon source
2. Widespread coral mortality will occur.
3. All the global wetlands will permanently disappear.
4. Cultivation of cereals will not be possible anywhere in the world.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct: At such high temperatures, tipping points like widespread forest dieback and permafrost thaw would release vast amounts of stored carbon, causing the land to emit more carbon than it absorbs. Statement 2 is correct: Scientific consensus indicates that even at 2°C of warming, over 99% of coral reefs are expected to be lost. A 3°C rise would ensure their catastrophic and widespread collapse. Statement 3 is incorrect: The word "All" is an extreme overstatement. While many wetlands would be severely damaged or lost, it is not scientifically plausible that every single one would disappear permanently. Statement 4 is incorrect: The term "anywhere" is an exaggeration. While global food production would be devastated, cultivation would not become impossible everywhere; it might shift to new, higher-latitude regions.
Which of the following best describes the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India?
1. Incorporating environment benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the ‘green accounting’.
2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agriculture output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future.
3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
The National Mission for Green India (GIM) is one of the eight Missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Mission Goals:
- To increase forest/tree cover to the extent of 5 million hectares (mha) and improve quality of forest/tree cover on another 5 mha of forest/non-forest lands;
- To improve/enhance ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and storage (in forests and other ecosystems), hydrological services and biodiversity; along with provisioning services like fuel, fodder, and timber and non-timber forest produces (NTFPs); and
- To increase forest-based livelihood income of about 3 million households.
“Climate Action Tracker" which emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:
The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) is an independent scientific analysis that tracks government climate action and measures it against the globally agreed Paris Agreement aim of holding warming well below 2C, and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5C. A collaboration of two organisations, Climate Analytics and NewClimate Institute, the CAT has been providing this independent analysis to policymakers since 2009. CAT quantifies and evaluates climate change mitigation targets, policies, and actions. It also aggregates country action to the global level, determining likely temperature increases during the 21st century using the MAGICC climate model. CAT further develops sectoral analysis to illustrate the required pathways for meeting the global temperature goals.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change.
Statement-II: Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the State.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Carbon markets, which include mechanisms like cap-and-trade systems and carbon offsets, are increasingly being used as a tool to incentivize emissions reductions and help in the fight against climate change. So, statement 1 is true. * Carbon markets typically work by transferring resources from emitters (usually in the private sector) to entities that can reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions, which can be either private entities or the government. So, statement 2 can also be true.
Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to -
1. Protection of biodiversity
2. Resilience of forest ecosystems
3. Poverty reduction
Select the correct answer using the code given below
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) attempts to create financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development. REDD goes beyond deforestation and forest degradation, and includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. REDD has the potential to simultaneously contribute to climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation, whilst also conserving biodiversity and sustaining vital ecosystem services. Protection of biodiversity: Forests are incredibly diverse ecosystems, and protecting them through REDD initiatives helps safeguard countless species of plants and animals. Resilience of forest ecosystems: By reducing deforestation and degradation, REDD helps maintain healthy forests that can better withstand natural disturbances like droughts, floods, and pests. Poverty reduction: Many forest communities rely on forests for their livelihoods. REDD programs can provide financial incentives for sustainable forest management, creating income opportunities and alleviating poverty. Therefore, the correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the “Declaration on Climate and Health”.
Statement II:
The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize health sector.
Statement III:
If India’s health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its health-care system may be compromised.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
At COP28, India chose not to sign the “Declaration on Climate and Health,” and this decision can be understood by analyzing the nature of the declaration and India’s concerns. ✅ Statement I: Correct. India did not sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health, unlike over 120 other countries. ❌ Statement II: Incorrect. The declaration is not legally binding; it is a voluntary political commitment. Signing it does not legally mandate countries to decarbonize their health sectors immediately. ✅Statement III: Correct. India’s concern is that rapid decarbonization of its health sector could compromise the resilience and accessibility of healthcare services, given current developmental challenges and resource constraints. Therefore, only Statement III correctly explains Statement I, while Statement II is factually wrong about the binding nature of the declaration.
Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
✅ A. The European Union:
The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is an EU legislative initiative adopted in 2024. It sets binding targets to restore ecosystems, fight climate change, and protect biodiversity across EU member states. ❌ B. The World Bank:
An international financial institution providing loans and grants; it does not enact laws like the NRL. ❌ C. OECD:
An organization promoting economic cooperation and policy coordination; it does not enact binding environmental laws such as the NRL. ❌ D. FAO:
A UN agency focused on hunger and agriculture; it does not enact regional laws like the NRL.
Consider the following pairs
| International Agreement | Set-up Subject |
|--------------------------|----------------------------|
| 1. Alma-Ata Declaration | Healthcare of the people |
| 2. Hague Convention | Biological and chemical weapons |
| 3. Talanoa Dialogue | Global climate change |
| 4. Under2 Coalition | Child rights |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is correctly matched. Alma Ata Declaration: The Declaration of Alma-Ata was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 612 September 1978. It expressed the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the health of all people. Pair 2 is not correctly matched. Hague Convention: The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or Hague Abduction Convention is a multilateral treaty developed by the Hague Conference on Private International Law that provides an expeditious method to return a child internationally abducted by a parent from one member country to another. Pair 3 is correctly matched. The Talanoa Dialogue is a process designed to help countries implement and enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions by 2020. The Dialogue was mandated by the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change to take stock of the collective global efforts to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Pair 4 is not correctly matched. The Under2 Coalition is a global community of state and regional governments committed to ambitious climate action in line with the Paris Agreement. The coalition brings together more than 220 governments that represent over 1.3 billion people and 43% of the global economy. Signatories commit to keeping global temperature rises to well below 2C with efforts to reach 1.5C.