South Africa Receives m for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Research

The National Research Foundation (NRF) has expressed its enthusiasm following the announcement of a significant million investment in the International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.

Led by the Canada Research Coordinating Committee, this global joint initiative aims to fund interdisciplinary and trans-sectoral research on key climate change risks. The announcement was made in Ottawa, Canada, on Monday, 3 June 2024.

Collaborating with a consortium of research funders from Brazil, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the NRF is actively involved in funding four South African research projects under the initiative.

Additionally, two local projects are supported by the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF), which backs innovative Canadian-led research ventures with global impact.

These research projects are part of a larger pool of 32 international interdisciplinary projects within the initiative, involving 424 researchers from 45 countries. The projects aim to create and implement adaptation and mitigation strategies for vulnerable populations most affected by the adverse effects of climate change.

The research funders have collectively contributed over million in additional funds to support these projects. NRF CEO, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, emphasized the positive impact of this financial boost, stating that it will elevate the research projects to new heights.

In addition to the investment in the joint initiative, the Canada Research Coordinating Committee also announced the grantees of the NFRF Exploration Competition. This competition annually supports research that brings together diverse disciplines from innovative perspectives, with a focus on various impacts ranging from economic to health-related.

This year, million was awarded to 133 research projects exploring topics such as the outer reaches of Earth’s atmosphere, transforming AI concepts into smart mechanical systems, and improving breast cancer detection using liquid biopsies.

Projects funded under the International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation are required to address at least two of the eight key risks identified in the sixth assessment report of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This report underscores the urgent need to address the unprecedented climate changes affecting ecosystems and societies globally.

The investments and grants announced showcase a collective effort towards tackling climate change and its impacts on vulnerable populations, reflecting a commitment to innovative research and collaboration on a global scale.