UCT Sustainability and the SDGs 2022 - Magazine - Page 31
Nature-based solutions (NbS) are strategies that harness
Bridging science and governance for climate action
works across sectors, directly with city of昀椀cials, to build a
the power of nature and natural processes to address
UCT’s Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG) is a leading
community of peers to address the multifaceted challenge of
environmental
the
partner in the national Climate Research in Collaboration
climate change and how it plays out in cities.
protection, restoration and management of ecosystems,
with Society research project. A transdisciplinary research
Taking place across three major South African Cities, Cape
these solutions help address issues such as climate change,
project which brings together scienti昀椀c expertise and local
Town, Durban and Johannesburg, this project is focused
food and water security, and biodiversity loss.
government of昀椀cials to build a peer community working
particularly on water-related issues. Research ranges from
towards enhanced climate risk response.
fresh water supply to wastewater management and water
and
societal
challenges. Through
The PiNC lab is dedicated to generating evidence
and ideas to support NbS, with a particular emphasis
Funded through the National Research Foundation (NRF)
infrastructure, and is undertaken in close collaboration with
on sub-Saharan Africa. By collaborating with local and
Community of Practice Programme, the project is designed
the relevant city of昀椀cials to ensure the science is aligned with
international partners, the lab aims to enable equitable
to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration. This project
the operational and planning realities of the cities.
and effective nature-based actions that promote local and
planetary health.
Research and Innovation
Nature-based solutions for planetary health and resilience
In 2024, UCT’s ACDI launched a new initiative, the People
in Nature and Climate (PiNC) lab. This innovative lab aims
to tackle some of the continent’s most pressing societal and
As scientists, we need to
take risks and make big
investments in our research to
昀椀nd solutions for tackling the
complex challenges presented
by climate change. At the
PiNC Lab, we move beyond
diagnosing problems to 昀椀nding,
testing and co-creating
nature-based solutions that
work for people, nature,
and the planet.
environmental challenges, by exploring how nature can be
used to promote both human and ecosystem health while
adapting to and mitigating climate risks across Africa.
62 - Sustainability and the SDGs 2024
– Dr Petra Holden, People in Nature
Climate change pressures are set to
impact the water systems of South
Africa’s cities. Scientists are working
with South African policymakers in
three South African cities to ensure the
science is aligned with operational and
planning realities of the cities.
and Climate lab lead.
Sustainability and the SDGs 2024 – 63
