The INR’s Agriculture & Rural Livelihoods team is currently implementing two initiatives at Inhlazuka, a rural community near Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal....
Read MoreClimate Action & Sustainability
Solving climate and related environmental and development challenges
Climate and environmental change have taken place continuously over billions of years, but it is the magnitude, intensity and unpredictability at which this change is now occurring, and the implications for current and future conditions of ecosystems and people’s livelihoods, that is of concern. Socially-inclusive adaptation, mitigation and resilient action is crucial in responding to this change especially in the context of and post Covid-19 – a pandemic which added another layer in the global vulnerability matrix for countries, people and communities. Climate and environmental change are also increasingly placing and will continue to exert immense pressure on sustainable development hence effective climate action should consider the delicate balance between social, environmental and economic imperatives. The Climate action and Sustainability (CaS) Theme conducts scientific research on these issues, with the aim of influencing policy and the provision of professional and advisory support services.
Research and Services
- Innovative approaches to developing pathways for effective adaptation, resilience and sustainability action in the context of climate-related and other stresses and shocks
- Enhancing understanding of trade-offs, co-benefits and synergies between climate adaptation and mitigation measures
- Supporting policy, awareness, and advocacy action for climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience at national and subnational levels
- Designing monitoring and impact assessment systems that incorporate socio-economic dimensions of environmental restoration and conservation, to support holistic resilience building in social-ecological systems
- Climate and environmental modelling and risk assessment
- Climate change and Covid-19 alike crisis evaluation and lessons

Our Current Projects
The Institute is currently involved in various projects across the country. Please view list below for more information regarding our projects.
Biodiversity Offset Planning for Spring Grove Dam
INR / 22/09/2014 The INR has been contracted by the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) to create a Biodiversity Offset Plan...
Read MoreDevelopment of a Natural Resource Management Strategy and Implementation Plan for KwaZulu-Natal
INR / 30/07/2015 DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGIC PROVINCIAL NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN Research Context The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA)...
Read MoreScoping and EIA for the Proposed Expansion of the Pietermaritzburg Airport
INR / 06/11/2015 ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION Environmental Authorisation was issued by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) on 14 June...
Read MoreDevelopment of an Environmental Management Framework for the Amajuba District Municipality
INR / 25/08/2017 The Amajuba District Municipality (ADM) has embarked on the development of an environmental management framework (EMF). The...
Read MoreScoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA) for Ludidi Community Afforestation in the Eastern Cape
INR / 08/03/2017 Project Overview The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), through its implementing agent Rural Forestry Development (RFD) has identified...
Read MoreDevelopment of an Environmental Management Framework for the Umgungundlovu District Municipality
INR / 07/06/2016 The uMgungundlovu District Municipality (uMDM) has, with the support of the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism...
Read MoreScoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) Process for the Chevy Chase Community Afforestation Project Eastern Cape Province
The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian reform (DRDAR) have identified the community of Chevy Chase with forestry potential for...
Read MoreWater use of agroforestry systems for food and forage production
This research project started in 2016 and will be completed in March 2020. The overall aims of the project are...
Read MoreHow Mbongolwane wetland natural resources can benefit society
The Mbongolwane wetland ecosystem, and its associated ecosystem services, holds great potential to generate economic benefits that can contribute to...
Read MoreCapacity development for enhancing sustainable forest management in priority biodiversity areas
INR / 26/05/2017 This sub-grant project falls within the USAID: RESILIM-O Project – “The US Agency for International Development (USAID) supports the...
Read MoreA Framework – To Guide an Ecosystem Approach for Integrated Water Resources Management in Lesotho
INR / 05/08/2016 Purpose of this Ecosystem Approach Framework This Framework provides a guideline on how to apply an Ecosystem...
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