The Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) has started sharing scientific research progress of its second research portfolio (SASSCAL 2.0).
This information is being disseminated in all the five member states through Thematic Workshops. The first Thematic Workshop was held in Botswana in November 2024, under the theme “Strengthening Climate Resilience in Southern Africa through Enhanced Biodiversity Management, Ecosystem Health and Improved Livelihoods”.
The workshop shared the scientific research progress of the SASSCAL 2.0 research portfolio, linked specialised research communities with stakeholders, and responded to specific research needs as identified by the stakeholders.
During the two-day workshop, the Botswana Node presented the results of SASSCAL 2.0 projects, with a focus on biodiversity management, ecosystem health, and improved livelihoods. The workshop also identified existing research gaps, challenges, and opportunities, including avenues for the future utilisation of research innovations in these areas. Furthermore, it served to strengthen stakeholder relationships, fostering collaboration between researchers and end-users within the SASSCAL 2.0 research portfolio. Botswana is SASSCAL’s Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health.
SASSCAL Interim Executive Director, Dr Budzanani Tacheba, who officiated at the event acknowledged that the Climate Change agenda has topped current affairs discussions.
He cited the envisaged Baku Initiative for Climate Finance, Investment and Trade emanating from the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Discussions at the meeting centered around a proposed climate finance of $100 billion per year, which should consider developing countries’ needs and priorities.
In addition to the climate finance Initiative, Dr Tacheba also mentioned the newly elected Botswana President, H.E. Advocate Duma Boko’s recent State of the Nation Address, in which he stressed that the Botswana Government would prioritise policies that focus on environmental and climate change mitigation, and sustainable resource management.
He also quoted H.E Advocate Boko stating that his government will prioritise National Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy that emphasises green finance and positions Botswana as a leader in climate action. This strategy will attract international investment to essential sectors such as renewable energy, waste management, and conservation. This is upon realisation that the challenges the country faces from climate change among other factors, demand bold and strategic reforms.
“In Africa including here in Botswana, key economic sectors that depend on the climate system have recorded declines over the years due to the variability of rainfall. Agriculture, Water and Tourism have all suffered the most, the consequences of which contributed significantly to the decline in livelihoods of Batswana especially in rural areas,” Dr Tacheba added.
During the workshop, SASSCAL 2.0 Research Projects, and Principal Investigators presented progress made by their projects, while students supported by SASSCAL presented sub-project results and highlighted major milestones achieved.
The SASSCAL Programme Coordinator for the Botswana National Node, Dr Botlhe Matlhodi highlighted Botswana’s role in advancing SASSCAL’s mission. “As the coordinating hub for critical research areas such as biodiversity and ecosystem health, Botswana leads impactful initiatives like ELNAC, Climate Smart Crops, SUSTAIN, and others. These projects drive innovative solutions to enhance ecosystem services, strengthen food security, and improve livelihoods across Southern Africa”.
Established in 2022, the SASSCAL 2.0 portfolio boasts thirteen (13) Research Projects https://sasscal.org/sasscal-ii-research-portfolio/ , of which seven (7) namely ELNAC, ANTELOPE, TIPPECC, ANGSOIL, SUSTAIN, Climate Smart Crops and RIBS are implemented in Botswana.
Senior Scientist, Dr. Musonda Ngonga who is based at the SASSCAL Regional Secretariat expressed satisfaction with the current execution rate of the SASSCAL 2.0 Research Projects in Botswana, which stands at over 60%.
SASSCAL 2.0 is a three-year research programme launched in 2023 and will be implemented until 2026. It is funded by SASSCAL’s main funding partner the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to the tune €10 million.
Its predecessor – SASSCAL 1.0 Research Programme was implemented between 2012 and 2018, during which it generated 88 research tasks, 230 peer-reviewed publications and produced a number of graduates including 227 Bachelors and Masters degrees, and 33 doctorates.
SASSCAL 2.0 is supporting 104 students. This includes 28 students pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees, 54 enrolled in Master of Science/Master of Philosophy programs, 20 pursuing Doctor of Philosophy degrees, and 2 undertaking postdoctoral research. These students are distributed across 24 institutions, working on 47 subprojects.
In Botswana, SASSCAL is hosting 20 of these students, with 13 pursuing Masters degrees (MPhil/MSc) and 7 working towards Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Their research is conducted across three institutions; namely the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), University of Botswana (UB) and Kalahari Conservation Society (KCS), contributing to 7 subprojects.
The workshop will produce a document indicating achievements of SASSCAL 2.0 research projects in response to the research needs in Biodiversity Management and Ecosystem Health and Improved Livelihoods.
The report is will further provide feedback on the existing gaps, challenges and opportunities to inform project implementation and also enhance a stakeholder engagement plan that informs future engagement opportunities in livelihoods of Batswana, especially in rural areas.
The event brought together Principal Investigators, students supported by SASSCAL 2.0, SASSCAL Alumni, Government Officials, key stakeholders across the SASSCAL 2.0 value chain, and SASSCAL staff from the Botswana Node, other nodes and the Regional Secretariat.
The SASSCAL South African Node also successfully hosted its Thematic Workshop from 28 to 29 November 2024.
