University of Cape Town Launches PiNC Lab to Address Climate and Societal Challenges in Africa

The African Climate & Development Initiative (ACDI), based at the University of Cape Town (UCT), has launched the People in Nature & Climate (PiNC) Lab, a new nature-based, solutions-focused research group. This innovative lab aims to tackle some of the continent’s most pressing societal and 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.

Supporting nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are strategies that harness the power of nature and natural processes to address environmental and societal challenges. Through the protection, restoration and management of ecosystems, these solutions help address issues such as climate change, food and water security, and biodiversity loss.

Under the guidance of Lab Lead Dr Petra Holden, the PiNC Lab is dedicated to generating evidence and ideas to support NbS, with a particular emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. By collaborating with local and international partners, the lab aims to enable equitable and effective nature-based actions that promote local and planetary health.

“At the PiNC Lab, we move beyond diagnosing problems to finding, testing and co-creating nature-based solutions that work for people, nature, and the planet – at every scale.”

The PiNC Lab’s mission reflects the growing global recognition that nature can provide solutions to a wide range of climate-related issues, from food and water security to biodiversity loss and land degradation. Despite the potential of these NbS, they are often under-funded and under-prioritised.

In response, the PiNC Lab focuses on developing solutions that are effective, financially viable, and inclusive of communities and local knowledge.

“As scientists, we need to take risks and make big investments in our research to find solutions for tackling the complex challenges presented by climate change,” says Holden. “At the PiNC Lab, we move beyond diagnosing problems to finding, testing and co-creating nature-based solutions that work for people, nature, and the planet – at every scale.”

Through its research and collaborations, the PiNC Lab aims to:

• Enhance quantification of ecosystem services, including the benefits, trade-offs and synergies of NbS.
• Strengthen the design, planning and monitoring of NbS to ensure their long-term success.
• Expand evidence to support policy and investment changes that prioritise NbS.
• Increase the capacity of African researchers and communities working in the field of NbS.

Researchers at the lab also seek to raise awareness of the value and potential of NbS across the continent, fostering a greater understanding of how they can be leveraged to address climate risks and safeguard livelihoods.

Advancing Climate and Nature Research in Africa

The launch of the PiNC Lab represents a major step forward in efforts to tackle climate change using nature-based actions as solutions. By focusing on the interconnectedness of human well-being and ecosystem health, the lab aims to create sustainable, effective and equitable solutions.

As climate risks continue to grow, the PiNC Lab’s work will be crucial in helping African communities and industries adapt, while contributing to the global understanding of how NbS can tackle some of the most pressing societal challenges of our time.