Publications - Synthesis Center
GLOBAL POLICY OUTREACH AND SYNTHESIS CENTER PROJECTS
Strengthening Community Cohesion in Northern Kenya
How can local communities strengthen their resilience in arid and semi-arid regions facing climate change and resource conflicts? A new study by Regional Pastoralists Peace Link, conducted with support from the East Africa Hub, examines the state of community cohesion in Oldonyiro (Isiolo) and Naibunga (Laikipia) community conservancies.
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The findings highlight both challenges and opportunities: while ethnic tensions, land disputes, and competition over resources threaten social cohesion, traditional governance structures and community conservancies play a crucial role in fostering cooperation. The study provides concrete recommendations for strengthening social ties and sustainable land management.
EU Deforestation Regulation: What Can Switzerland Do? 🌳
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) could play a crucial role in stopping global deforestation and promoting sustainable business models. But how can the EUDR be implemented in producer countries in a socially responsible way? And what does it mean for Swiss law?
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To address these questions, the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) and the Wyss Academy for Nature initiated a participatory process last year to develop concrete legal proposals. In three events with interested stakeholders, discussions focused on the socially responsible implementation of the EUDR—using, among other methods, discourse analysis. At the same time, the team’s draft legal articles were reviewed and refined based on stakeholder feedback.
The Wyss Academy supported a recent SCNAT project
Meeting climate targets is as important as never before. For the energy transition to succeed, the expansion of renewable energies must proceed as quickly as possible. This must be done in a way that is accepted by local populations – and it must not create additional problems for nature (e.g., by taking away the necessary land from endangered local plant and animal species).
How can this be done?
The Wyss Academy has supported a recent SCNAT project that intends to support integrated, national spatial planning of renewable energy plants outside building zones with the best possible consideration of biodiversity and landscape objectives. It provides national planning foundations based on scientific facts and expert knowledge by defining criteria for the identification of priority areas where renewable energy infrastructure could be planned with the least possible impact for biodiversity and landscape quality. We co-financed the project and participated in the process leading to the report, which addresses a central Wyss Academy concern: How to achieve a just and mutually beneficial relationship between people and nature. While the catalogue of criteria is designed to support planning within Switzerland and is primarily aimed at the cantons, people in other geographic regions may find it useful.
