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Natural Resources in Sustainable Development

NCCR North-South research on natural resources and sustainability focuses on issues relating to water, soil and biodiversity. Case studies and small-scale implementation projects aim at finding potentials for making use of these resources in such a way as to meet contextual livelihood needs while maintaining standards for sustainable development.

Research is conducted in all regions where the NCCR North-South is active. It is coordinated around three main themes, each of which offers a different perspective on the relationship between natural resources and sustainable development.


RESEARCH THEMES

Environmental Dynamics: Natural Resource Availability for Livelihoods
Spatio-temporal variations in the availability of natural resources have important consequences for those whose livelihoods depend on them. Research in this area is conducted from a predominantly bio-physical and ecological perspective. Particular attention is paid to climate change and strategies for coping with its effects.  >> more

 

Natural Resource Management: Knowledge, Values and Power
Management of natural resources is a complex social process affected by perceptions of nature, the value attached to what nature provides and knowledge of the risks and potentials inherent in putting natural resources to use. NCCR North-South research in this areas places particular emphasis on societal learning processes and the role of new information technologies in changing attitudes toward resource management.   >> more

The Development-Environment Nexus: Evidence-Based Policymaking
Policy decisions relating to sustainable development need to take into account both social and environmental considerations. NCCR North-South research on the development-environment nexus adresses the conceptual and methodological issues involved in trying to combine these factors at the so-called "meso-level" of the decision-making process.   >> more


STUDY REGIONS

NCCR North-South Research on Resources and Sustainability is conducted in the following regions and countries:

Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
South Asia: India, Pakistan
Southeast Asia: Laos, Thailand, Vietnam
West Africa: Mali
Horn of Africa: Ethiopia
East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania
Central America & the Caribbean: Mexico
South America: Bolivia, Peru
Swiss Alps

CONTACT

Urs Wiesmann, Head
Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), Bern, Switzerland

Hans Hurni, Deputy head
Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), Bern, Switzerland

Andreas Heinimann, Coordinator
Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), Bern, Switzerland