Page 65 - State of Biodiversity 2023-2024

During the previous three research programme phases, a number of key research outcomes have emerged, such as establishing the transformative elements of the Transformative River Management Programme (TRMP); providing less toxic alternatives for the City’s fluorine- based foam firefighting compounds; identification and recommendations for coastal ecosystems threatened by sea level rise; and managing the city’s critically endangered ecosystems for threats including climate change. Further, this partnership is starting to influence policy development within the city; for example, several meetings held between DRAP steering committee members with city’s Research and Policy Advice (RAPA) Unit, and UKZN academics contributing to the development of city’s Food Policy. The city committed funds for the fourth phase of GEC research programme.
Global Environmental Change
The GEC research programme 4th phase will provide the information required to guide implementation of Durban Climate Change Implementation Plan (DCCIP). This will be achieved through undertaking multi-disciplinary projects which relate to the DCCIP themes, and key knowledge gaps identified through the process of developing the
implementation plan. Although the research funding is not substantial, in comparison with many modern climate change research programmes, it will act as an anchor for the Durban Research Action Partnership, which has, and will continue to, attract significant additional funding for climate change-related research that will benefit eThekwini Municipality.
The achievements made under the research partnership previously have underpinned the value of transdisciplinary research and highlighted the need to renew the partnership for another three years. The GEC research programme 4th phase will need provide the information which can fast-track the implementation Durban Climate Change Implementation Plan, which is coordinated by Climate Change Department. This will be through undertaking multi-disciplinary projects which relate to the DCCS themes, Climate Action Plan (CAP), and key knowledge gaps identified through the process of developing the implementation plan. The scope of work for the partnership will be broadened but the limiting factor will be the availability of funds. It is important that the partnership should have an ability to attract or leverage additional funds to support its research objectives.
“Through D’RAP, a collaborative and transdisciplinary research is conducted within focussed research programmes within the eThekwini Municipal area in a range of disciplines.”
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