Two researchers  from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recently shared their views on the use of nature-based solutions in business and society in a webinar organised by a leading international consulting engineering group.

On Thursday, 15 August 2024, senior researcher Dr Phumza Ntshotsho and research group leader Dr Sarah Davies from the CSIR’s Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services research group represented the organisation in a webinar titled, “Unpacking Nature-Based Solutions for Businesses and Society.” The event was hosted by Royal Haskoning DHV to celebrate Women’s Month and featured female experts who are active in the environmental and sustainability fields. The event aimed to highlight the significance of integrating nature-based solutions into business and society while highlighting the contributions women are making in this field.

Nature-based solutions, as defined by the World Bank Group, involve actions that protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural ecosystems. These solutions are designed to address a range of societal and environmental challenges, including climate change, human health, food and water security and disaster risk reduction. They are meant to augment engineered solutions in appreciation of the fact that nature is at the basis of thriving and sustainable economies and societies.

During the webinar,   Davies and Ntshotsho participated as panellists and delivered a presentation showcasing some of the groundbreaking work done by organisations in South Africa to leverage nature-based solutions to tackle environmental and social challenges.

“We live in a beautiful country that is also one of the most biologically diverse. However, climate change and widespread environmental degradation are among the most pressing challenges we face,” said Ntshotsho, emphasising the urgency of the need for nature-based solutions.

Davies expanded on the concept of nature-based solutions and explained the criteria that make a project a true ecosystem-based adaptation. “We are developing a unique approach to nature-based solutions in South Africa, but it is grounded in internationally accepted principles. To qualify as an ecosystem-based adaptation, a project must meet three criteria: it must help society adapt to climate change, it must use biodiversity and ecosystems as integral parts of the solution, and it must be part of a broader climate change strategy.”

The duo outlined significant nature-based solutions currently being implemented in South Africa, notably the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region. This collaborative enterprise aims to promote a sustainable balance between socioeconomic development, biodiversity conservation, and natural resource use. They also discussed Khuselindalo, a Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE)-funded project focused on clearing invasive alien plants on the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountain range in the Eastern Cape. This project not only helps restore natural ecosystems but also enhances water security and household financial security. The knowledge-sharing webinar attracted 41 attendees and lasted just over an hour, leaving participants excited for future sessions. "This is what happens when you get people who are passionate," remarked one attendee.