Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
22 February 2025 | 19:30 CAT
2 min read

As climate change worsens, Africa faces a dire shortage of skilled professionals needed to restore wetlands, reforest landscapes, and build sustainable cities. Dr Matthew Weaver, from the Institute for Water Research (IWR) at Rhodes University, is working to bridge this gap through the Nature-based Solutions for African Resilience project.

Dr Weaver told Radio Islam that Green skills refer to any capacity, value, attitude, or ability to address sustainability-related problems. This includes conservation, restoration, and climate change-related competencies. “What we are struggling with in Africa is that traditional education systems, from formal schooling to universities and colleges, do not place a great focus on green skills development,” he said.

He emphasised that Africa’s development sector is still largely rooted in traditional disciplines. According to Dr Weaver, Engineers, who are responsible for development in Africa, are still very rigidly structured in what they do, and there is also less focus on developing environmental scientists who can contribute to addressing climate change-related issues.

The Nature-based Solutions for African Resilience project aims to change this. “We are the tip of the iceberg, really. What we are doing is identifying and addressing this gap by integrating nature-based solutions into training for both professionals, already working in engineering and environmental science, as well as students at universities. We are introducing nature-based solutions courses and modules into existing curricula,” he said.

According to Dr Weaver, collaboration between engineers and environmental scientists is critical. He explained that Environmental scientists are the gatekeepers for sustainable development because they conduct environmental impact assessments, which are needed for development. Whereas, Engineers are the professionals who actually design and implement projects. “If we can build partnerships and develop a sensitivity to nature-based solutions among both groups, Africa’s development can shift towards working with nature rather than against it,” he said.

Funding remains a major challenge, but Dr Weaver sees hope. “There is a bit of a shift, with increasing recognition that climate change is a serious threat,” he said. However, he noted that it is dangerous to rely only on high-level funding. “We need to bring together developers, government, business, and civil society. Strong partnerships at a local level are essential for these projects to be durable,” he added.

He stresses the importance of breaking down silos, not just sticking to what we are comfortable with. To address these challenges, he suggests improving engagement with funders, government, engineers, environmental scientists, and indigenous knowledge holders. “These communities have been practicing sustainable approaches for centuries. If we can understand each other’s languages, so to speak, we can build relationships that lead to lasting interventions,” he said.

Dr Weaver believes that if businesses can seek stronger partnerships, then investing in sustainability projects becomes less uncertain. “Businesses must step up. It is more attractive when there are durable partnerships in place,” he added.

As Africa grapples with climate change, the need for green skills has never been more urgent. The challenge is significant, but with education, collaboration, and investment, there is hope that the next generation of professionals will be equipped to restore and protect the environment before it is too late.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Dr Matthew Weaver, from the Institute for Water Research (IWR) at Rhodes University, here.