The climate action challenge designs new nature-based solutions

After (and while) training with teachers on intersectional and intercultural working, groups of five PhD students from universities around the world (at least three different countries represented in each group) took on this challenge over a period of eight weeks. They were supported with feedback from 2-3 mentors from various universities and disciplines, with whom they met for one hour per week.

An independent panel of five judges from four different universities evaluated each group’s video pitch and summary sheet to arrive at a winning submission. The submissions were judged on the quality of the Nature-based solution proposed, the self-assessment of trade-offs and synergies with other Sustainable Development Goals, and the quality of their communication in both presentation formats.

The groups used different communication strategies and showed different strengths, but all managed to effectively convey well-thought-out projects that addressed real-world needs. Group 3’s plan excelled at stakeholder identification and inclusion, Group 2 showed exceptional division of labour in their presentation and gave a very detailed and comprehensive plan, and Group 1 simulated the potential impacts of their plan with some innovative calculations.

The competition was steep – the judges did not all vote for the same group rankings. In the end, however, Group 1 won the competition with their project titled “Nature based solutions for the mitigation of flooding damage in a coastal urban city of Nigeria”. Congratulations to Jules Maurice Shema, Kohsuke Tanigawa, Rose Niyonkuru, Olayide Olajuyin, and Priscilla Tariro Moyo! Big thanks to all of our teachers, mentors and panelists!