PhD students design nature-based solutions for a resilient future

One group designed reforestation combined with infrastructure to reduce flood frequency and erosion, support biodiversity recovery, and foster sustainable livelihoods via agroforestry in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. Another group showed how restoring rangelands with native vegetation and adopting sustainable management practices in the Borena Zone of Ethiopia could improve water security, reduce erosion, and increase pasture area and quality.

A third project, in Cape Town South Africa, detailed how a constructed wetland could support clean water, health and wellbeing, biodiversity conservation, and food security in the Langa slum. Finally, the winning group demonstrated how adoption of biogas digesters in Alice, South Africa, could reduce methane emissions from organic waste, while supporting clean energy and creating job opportunities. This pilot project could later be scaled up to other communities. 

With such a wide variety of exceptional proposals, choosing a winner proved difficult. Ultimately, the decision came down to the level of detail in each group’s theory of change and implementation plan. Though the limited class time did not allow groups to plan collaboratively with stakeholders at these sites, all groups incorporated a high degree of stakeholder participation in their planning, and took steps to maximize synergies across the Sustainable Development Goals. While we have not yet been able to support teams in pursuing implementation of their proposed solutions, the activity showcases the initiative, creativity, and meticulousness of these GCUA 2030 PhD students. 

Watch the video of the winning group: