South Africa is a major contributor to greenhouse gases on the African continent. It has become essential to move towards a greener economy. Stellenbosch University has the expertise to lead the way through research and innovation, and has already done cutting-edge research on, for instance, renewable energy. Stellenbosch is also leading the field in the move towards a carbon-neutral university.

In what promises to be a ground-breaking initiative in the battle against climate change, Stellenbosch University officially launched its School for Climate Studies – the first of its kind with faculty status in South Africa – on 29 July 2021.

Section I - Opening

Sir Bob Watson, former Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and winner of the Blue Planet Prize 2010
Dr Anne Larigauderie, Executive Secretary of the Inter-governmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

Section I – Keynotes
Biodiversity and climate change in Africa
Dr. Chris Trisos, Coordinating Lead Author of IPCC Africa Regional Chapter for the upcoming IPCC WG2 report, University of Cape Town African Climate and Development Initiative

Climate change and biodiversity, risks and adaptation
Prof. Wendy Foden, IUCN Specialist Group on Climate Change, South African National Parks
 

Section III – Short case studies in southern Africa

Amukelani Maluleke: Ecosystem CO2 uptake and water use in a southern African savanna
Felix Skhosana: Ecosystem structural change in southern African savannas
Kerry Grey: Declining populations of the desert tree succulent Aloidendron dichotomum (Quiver tree)
Jessie Yuill: Heat stress effects on an endemic seagrass, Zostera capensis
 
Section IV – Questions and discussion

Event is moderated by Prof Guy Midgley, Stellenbosch University School for Climate Studies, Contributing, Lead, and Coordinating Lead author on IPCC 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th IPCC reports, IPBES Global Report on Biodiversity, and the IPBES/IPCC joint report on climate change and biodiversity.