The Bergrivier Climate Knowledge Network Kirsty Nortje African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town. WRC Dialogue 13 November 2015 “ The ACDI is a university-wide initiative at the University of Cape Town that supports collaborative research and training in climate change and development”

The “Project” Practical objectives  Build a inter/transdisciplinary (ID/TD) knowledge network  Bring diverse “academics” and “practitioners” together to help advance understanding of climate & development issues in Bergrivier municipal area  Develop projects that enhance appropriate climate change responses and resilience in the Bergrivier municipal area

The Project “Academic” objectives – Enhance interdisciplinary collaboration across UCT – Explore the advantages, disadvantages of an interdisciplinary approach to CC – Support UCT “research-into-practice” agenda – Develop interesting, problem-oriented research projects – Cutting-edge publications

The Project Group Holle – Renewable Energy, UCT Jen – Cape Nature Lesley – Anthropology, UCT Timm – Ecologist, UCT Sherwin – Engineer, PPC Ralph – Business Sustainability, UCT GSB Penny – Climate CC Support Programme, WCG Tracey – Strategic Manager, BR Municipality Tania – Planner, UCT Julien – Farmer, Hopetown Jan – Environmental Lawyer, UCT Hilary – Community Worker, Autrora Hedley – Literary Scholar, UCT

Learning Journeys Who, What, How? Walking in Each Others Shoes

ClimateDevelopment 6 “Is climate change really a priority here? It’s like putting a plaster on someone who needs a wheelchair!” “What good is the wheelchair if the wheel will come off – that’s what climate change might do!” Local / PracticeGlobal / Theory “This theory is all well and good, but what are the impacts for people on the ground?” “What about this work can we publish, and where?”

Outcomes An ID/TD Collective- a knowledge and personal network Evidence and learning about ID/TD MSc & PhD Projects in an ID/TD holding space – A study of an integrated management initiative to improve the Berg River, Western Cape, South Africa – Using complex system thinking for managing natural resources in the Groot Winterhoek Strategic Water Source Area in South Africa – The application of the Nexus framework in the Bergrivier Municipality: a potential tool for the enabling coordination at the local municipal scale – Mapping the governance landscape related to ecosystem-based adaptation in the Bergrivier Municipality.

Outcomes An ID/TD Collective- A knowledge and personal network Evidence and learning about ID/TD MSc & PhD Projects in an ID/TD holding space Funded research projects – Climate change risk assessment & adaptation strategy – FEWBL Nexus at catchment scale – Complementary Currency to foster local resilience and wellbeing

Emerging Lessons Trans-disciplinary processes are likely to benefit from: – A clear convening “problem” – Careful facilitation – Surfacing and making creative use of thematic / epistemological tensions – Investment in supporting the process

Challenges Uncomfortable space Difference between inter/transdisciplinarity and collaboration Prioritisation Practicalities Funding

Thank you!