Strengthening Mangrove Nature-based Solutions: A Comparative Case Study Analysis

Abstract

Coastal regions are increasingly exposed to sea-level rise, erosion, and extreme weather, threatening the livelihoods, safety, and ecosystems of nearly 40% of the global population. Mangrove forests, as Nature-based Solutions (NbS), can protect shorelines, store carbon, support biodiversity, and sustain livelihoods. Yet, despite their promise, many mangrove NbS fall short due to governance challenges. While prior research often identifies individual barriers such as unclear responsibilities, limited inclusiveness, or inadequate monitoring, there is a gap in understanding how governance capacities interact to shape project outcomes. This gap is especially critical in ecosystem-based coastal adaptation, where success depends on coordinated action across diverse actors and scales. This thesis asks: To what extent does governance capacity influence the ability to address implementation challenges in mangrove NbS for coastal resilience? A comparative case study was conducted of two high-profile initiatives: Mangroves and Markets (MAM) in Vietnam and Building with Nature (BwN) in Indonesia. Using an adapted Governance Capacity Framework (Koop et al., 2017), indicators across the knowing, wanting, and enabling dimensions were assessed through document analysis and semi-structured interviews, allowing triangulation of formal project records with stakeholder perspectives. Findings show that governance capacity is an interconnected system rather than isolated attributes. In BwN, co-produced knowledge, inclusive decision-making, and adaptive monitoring and evaluation reinforced one another, building trust and flexibility to respond to severe land subsidence. In MAM, ambition and technical expertise were undermined by top-down information flows, narrow monitoring and evaluation criteria, and weak preparedness, resulting in dependency on external actors and vulnerability to market fluctuations. The comparison highlights that effective mangrove NbS governance requires aligned capacities across all three dimensions, creating reinforcing feedback loops rather than isolated strengths. Key lessons include embedding co-production from the outset, making inclusiveness a driver of ambition and legitimacy, clarifying roles across governance levels, and anchoring preparedness in both formal institutions and community-led networks. By extending the Governance Capacity Framework to mangrove NbS, this research offers both a diagnostic tool and practical guidance for designing more resilient, inclusive, and scalable coastal adaptation strategies.