The WLE-hosted webinar series "From research to resilience" took place through the month of October. Eight webinars assessed the progress of research for development, captured lessons learned, and identified scientifically proven tools and approaches that climate-vulnerable communities can adopt to secure more inclusive, sustainable and resilient futures.
About the webinar series
Informed by the experience and insights of WLE and its partners, and the solutions the program has developed and refined over the past decade, the webinars promoted promising scientific innovations designed to protect climate-vulnerable ecosystems, communities and livelihoods. The tools and approaches discussed – which also prioritized the inclusion of women, youth and other marginalized groups – targeted critical challenges across the Global South such as land degradation, water scarcity and climate variability.
Held strategically between the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), the webinars identified evidence gaps, captured lessons learned and consolidated thinking on the future direction of research for development to sustainably transform our water, land and food systems. Themes included accelerating clean energy access, inclusive and gender-sensitive land restoration, resilient urban food systems, sustainable water management, disaster risk management, and innovative approaches to evaluate ecosystem health and monitor landscape restoration.
The webinars were attended by decision makers and planners, donors and investors, private sector representatives, development professionals from national and international organizations, and researchers from CGIAR and beyond.
Recordings of each webinar are now available to watch through the links in the program below.
Program
Accelerating clean energy access in rural areas
The first webinar presented WLE energy research that can help countries enhance smallholder access to clean energy, address climate adaptation/mitigation challenges, and transform food, land and water systems.
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Drought and flood risk reduction strategies
Webinar #2 introduced several WLE-supported risk management initiatives and solutions that have been implemented across South Asia. The webinar enhanced the knowledge and awareness of disaster risk management professionals and provide an opportunity for south–south learning.
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Towards resilient city region food systems
Webinar #3 introduced key tools developed by the RUAF Global Partnership and WLE to assess the climate-resilience of urban areas. It outlined the action plans, policies and programs required to develop innovative and resilience-strengthening water and food solutions.
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Innovation investment for impact
At webinar #4, the WLE-supported Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification (CoSAI) presented insights on enabling behavior change in innovation investors and policymakers – and how this can be used to underpin the investment approach for innovation of future food systems.
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Managing water for climate adaptation and mitigation
Webinar #5 explored integrated approaches to water management that enhance climate adaptation and mitigation. The session outlined an evidence-based framework to help decision makers understand and remove the technical, economic, social, financial and institutional barriers that prevent the adoption of sound water adaptation options.
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Boosting synergies and managing trade-offs in food systems
Our climate, biodiversity and food systems are inextricably linked. Webinar #6 discussed evidence, actions and lessons learned on how to leverage biodiversity in our food systems for people and planet.
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Securing inclusive land restoration
Referring to WLE research and experiences in India and Ethiopia, Webinar #7 explored who sets restoration agendas, and why, how and for whom. It also discussed whether plural and unequal local voices and knowledge systems are valued or ignored, and whether these voices can influence how degraded landscapes are restored.
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Innovations in soil health monitoring for nature and people
The eighth and final webinar of the series showcased recent advances and gaps in the monitoring of soil health and land restoration; raised awareness about the multiple benefits of soil health beyond crop productivity – including the provision of critical ecosystem services; and demonstrated how new evidence and monitoring frameworks are informing policy.
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Photo credits: Webinar #1 - Prashanth Vishwanathan/IWMI, Webinars #2 & #5 - Hamish John Appleby/IWMI, Webinar #3 - Aris Sanjaya/CIFOR, Webinar #4 - Alfonso Cortés/CIMMYT, Webinars #6–#8 - Georgina Smith/CIAT