News & Events
BIOTRAILS joins the NATO Advanced Research Workshop ARW G6276 “SECCURe”
Alessandro Pagano, Work Package 3 Leader of the BIOTRAILS project, recently participated in NATO Advanced Research Workshop ARW G6276 “SECCURe” (Security Enhancement for Climate Changes impacting Urban Resources).
The event, organised by CNR, took place in Montelibretti (Rome) from July 9th to July 12th. The workshop aimed to bring together scientists from various countries, mainly focusing on the MENA region, to share experiences and good practices for managing natural resources under increasing stress through a Nexus approach.
GAPS AND NEEDS
Many regions worldwide face mounting pressures from climate change, geopolitical shocks, and socio-economic dynamics. These pressures significantly impact natural resources and, consequently, the well-being of communities. Understanding and addressing these complex pressures requires a systemic approach to comprehend the interconnections better and facilitate the co-creation of cross-sectoral solutions. Decision-makers lack practical tools to quantify these impacts, which is essential for improving regional security and community resilience.
The contribution of BIOTRAILS
Alessandro contributed to the Session on ‘Technical and Social perspective for a safer management of resources’, with a presentation titled ‘System thinking approach to address Nexus Biodiversity-Climate-Society governance challenges’. He emphasised the necessity of holistic approaches involving strong stakeholder participation. In addition, Alessandro highlighted the potential value of Participatory System Dynamics Modelling (PSDM), showcasing research experiences, including the BIOTRAILS case study on Ghana’s gold mining value chain. The key message was that both Nexus understanding and management require suitable tools to unravel the complexity of Nexus systems while ensuring active and equitable stakeholder involvement.
Key Remarks from the Roundtable
Following the presentation, a roundtable discussion highlighted several critical issues:
- Stakeholder Involvement: Ensuring the inclusion of stakeholders is crucial in Nexus studies, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities most affected by climate change and other shocks.
- Gender Balance: There is a need to increase attention to gender balance, recognising that women are key agents of change in achieving climate change resilience.
BIOTRAILS is committed to incorporating these valuable insights into ongoing and future activities related to the Biodiversity-Climate-Society (BCS) nexus analysis and management.