Abstract
Crises narratives surrounding the societal challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and human health and well-being dominate current debates in global environmental politics. These challenges are deeply interconnected and require transformative and integrated change. Marine and coastal Nature-based Solutions (blue NbS) are an opportunity to minimise harmful human impacts on these ecosystems while providing co-benefits to people and nature. However, uptake of the approach is currently slow despite the urgency of addressing global challenges. For blue NbS to become a key tool for environmental management, integrated social-ecological advice on action for practitioners is required, alongside guidance for new research. Here, we present eight recommendations to help advance further research, development, and implementation of effective blue NbS. Recommendations are broadly grouped into three themes: (1) objectives, (2) function, and (3) mechanisms. Through these, we aim to encourage dialogue into strategic blue NbS implementation and research that supports solution-focussed narratives.