Short answer

Incorporate the principles of relational values and co-production from the NCP framework into your design process to foster more inclusive and ecologically integrated solutions.

Field
Innovation & Design
Source
Sustainability Science (2025)
Method
Systematic Review
Evidence
Moderate effect

The Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) framework, by emphasizing relational values, can foster deeper engagement and co-creation between diverse stakeholders and nature in design projects. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Sustainability Science. Using Systematic review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate the principles of relational values and co-production from the NCP framework into your design process to foster more inclusive and ecologically integrated solutions.

Study
Innovation & DesignNew This WeekModerate effect

Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) Framework Enhances Stakeholder Engagement in Design

The Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) framework, by emphasizing relational values, can foster deeper engagement and co-creation between diverse stakeholders and nature in design projects.

Sustainability Science · 2025

01

Key Findings

  • 01The NCP approach effectively highlights relational values, emphasizing mutual benefits and co-production between humans and nature.
  • 02The NCP framework demonstrates applicability and communication across diverse spatial scales, contexts, and audiences.
  • 03A gap exists in the NCP framework's limited focus on abiotic (non-living) ecosystem components and processes.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate the principles of relational values and co-production from the NCP framework into your design process to foster more inclusive and ecologically integrated solutions.

How to apply

When initiating a design project, explore the 'contributions' nature makes to the project's context and the 'contributions' the project can make back to nature, considering both living and non-living elements.

Project actions

  • 01Consider how your design project impacts and is impacted by the natural environment, not just in terms of resources, but also in terms of relationships and mutual benefits.
  • 02Explore how to involve diverse stakeholders, including those who represent ecological interests, in your design process.
03

Method & Evidence

AimHow can the Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) framework be leveraged to improve stakeholder engagement and the integration of ecological considerations in design projects?
MethodSystematic Review
ProcedureThe researchers conducted a systematic review of studies applying the Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) framework to assess its impact on scientific and policy fields, focusing on natural resource management, human-nature relationships, and social-ecological aspects.
ContextBiodiversity and Ecosystem Services Management, Environmental Policy, Sustainability Science

Variables

IVApplication of the Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) framework.
DVStakeholder engagement, integration of ecological considerations, design outcomes.
CV["Scale of the design project","Type of natural resource being considered","Existing policy and scientific context"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Provides a structured way to think about the multifaceted benefits of nature.
  • +Encourages a more inclusive and collaborative design process.

Limitations

The NCP framework might not fully capture the complexities of abiotic environmental factors, requiring designers to supplement it with other ecological models.

Reliability & validity

The systematic review methodology enhances the reliability and validity of the findings by providing a comprehensive and objective synthesis of existing research on the NCP framework.

Think critically

To what extent can the NCP framework's emphasis on relational values truly capture the intrinsic value of nature, independent of human benefit, within a design context?

05

Design Principles

"Design for mutual benefit and co-creation between human systems and natural ecosystems."

Understanding the mutual benefits and co-production between humans and nature, as highlighted by the NCP approach, allows designers to move beyond purely utilitarian considerations. This can lead to more holistic and resilient design solutions that acknowledge and integrate ecological processes.

06

What This Means for Your Design

This research shows that a way of thinking called NCP helps people understand how nature helps us and how we help nature. This can make design projects better by getting more people involved and thinking about nature more deeply.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference the NCP framework when discussing the broader context and stakeholder engagement in your design project.
  • 2.Use the concept of relational values to justify design decisions that prioritize ecological well-being alongside human needs.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) framework, as highlighted by Moreira et al. (2025), offers valuable insights into fostering stakeholder engagement by emphasizing relational values and the co-production of benefits between humans and nature. This approach can enrich design projects by encouraging a more holistic consideration of ecological systems and diverse perspectives, leading to more sustainable and integrated outcomes.

09

Source

Sustainability Science

A systematic review of Nature’s Contributions to People: impacts on science, policy, and sustainability

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about nature's contributions to people (ncp) framework enhances stakeholder engagement in design?
Incorporate the principles of relational values and co-production from the NCP framework into your design process to foster more inclusive and ecologically integrated solutions. Evidence: Sustainability Science (2025).
Why does "Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) Framework Enhances Stakeholder Engagement in Design" matter for design?
Understanding the mutual benefits and co-production between humans and nature, as highlighted by the NCP approach, allows designers to move beyond purely utilitarian considerations. This can lead to more holistic and resilient design solutions that acknowledge and integrate ecological processes.
How can designers apply this research?
Incorporate the principles of relational values and co-production from the NCP framework into your design process to foster more inclusive and ecologically integrated solutions.
What were the main findings?
The NCP approach effectively highlights relational values, emphasizing mutual benefits and co-production between humans and nature.. The NCP framework demonstrates applicability and communication across diverse spatial scales, contexts, and audiences.. A gap exists in the NCP framework's limited focus on abiotic (non-living) ecosystem components and processes.
What research method was used?
Systematic Review.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2025 journal from Sustainability Science.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When initiating a design project, explore the 'contributions' nature makes to the project's context and the 'contributions' the project can make back to nature, considering both living and non-living elements.
What are the limitations?
The review identified a gap in the NCP framework's consideration of abiotic components, suggesting that designers may need to integrate other perspectives for a complete understanding.