Publications - Synthesis Center
GLOBAL POLICY OUTREACH AND SYNTHESIS CENTER PROJECTS
Global Synthesis of the Wyss Academy Dialogues with Purpose
This report synthesizes the findings of the Wyss Academy Dialogues with Purpose on the True Value of Forests — a series of participatory workshops held in the year 2024 across South America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and East Africa as well as two virtual gatherings. The aim of these dialogues was to explore the multifaceted forest values and to co-develop locally grounded, inclusive strategies for forest conservation and sustainable use.
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The synthesis highlights a wide spectrum of values attributed to forests — including supporting, regulating, provisioning, and cultural ecosystem services. It identifies cross-cutting themes throughout all the regions such as education, capacity building, inclusive governance, sustainable economic development, and the integration of cultural values. The report emphasizes the importance of bottom-up engagement and diverse stakeholder inclusion to ensure effective forest management. Recommendations address both policy and practice, calling for adaptive governance structures, empowerment of local actors, better understanding of land-use drivers, and co-designed strategies that reflect the complex social, ecological, and economic dimensions of forest landscapes.
Strengthening Community Cohesion in Northern Kenya
How can local communities strengthen their resilience in arid and semi-arid regions facing climate change and resource conflicts? A new study by Regional Pastoralists Peace Link, conducted with support from the East Africa Hub, examines the state of community cohesion in Oldonyiro (Isiolo) and Naibunga (Laikipia) community conservancies.
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The findings highlight both challenges and opportunities: while ethnic tensions, land disputes, and competition over resources threaten social cohesion, traditional governance structures and community conservancies play a crucial role in fostering cooperation. The study provides concrete recommendations for strengthening social ties and sustainable land management
EU-Entwaldungsverordnung: Was kann die Schweiz tun?🌳
Die EU-Entwaldungsverordnung könnte entscheidend dazu beitragen, die weltweite Entwaldung zu stoppen und nachhaltige Geschäftsmodelle zu fördern. Aber wie lässt sich die EUDR in den Produzentenländern sozialverträglich umsetzen? Und was bedeutet sie für das Schweizer Recht? Dazu haben das Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) und die Wyss Academy for Nature im vergangenen Jahr einen partizipativen Prozess zur Entwicklung konkreter Rechtsvorschläge initiiert.
In drei Veranstaltungen mit interessierten Stakeholdern wurden Fragen rund um die sozialverträgliche Umsetzung - u.a. anhand einer Diskursanalyse - vertieft diskutiert. Gleichzeitig wurden die vom Team erarbeiteten hypothetischen Rechtsartikel mit der Gruppe gespiegelt und anhand des erhaltenen Feedbacks überarbeitet.
The Wyss Academy supported a recent SCNAT project
Meeting climate targets is as important as never before. For the energy transition to succeed, the expansion of renewable energies must proceed as quickly as possible. This must be done in a way that is accepted by local populations – and it must not create additional problems for nature (e.g., by taking away the necessary land from endangered local plant and animal species).
How can this be done?
The Wyss Academy has supported a recent SCNAT project that intends to support integrated, national spatial planning of renewable energy plants outside building zones with the best possible consideration of biodiversity and landscape objectives. It provides national planning foundations based on scientific facts and expert knowledge by defining criteria for the identification of priority areas where renewable energy infrastructure could be planned with the least possible impact for biodiversity and landscape quality. We co-financed the project and participated in the process leading to the report, which addresses a central Wyss Academy concern: How to achieve a just and mutually beneficial relationship between people and nature. While the catalogue of criteria is designed to support planning within Switzerland and is primarily aimed at the cantons, people in other geographic regions may find it useful.
2024/07/10
The Wyss Academy supported a recent SCNAT project
Meeting climate targets is as important as never before. For the energy transition to succeed, the expansion of renewable energies must proceed as quickly as possible. This must be done in a way that is accepted by local populations – and it must not create additional problems for nature (e.g., by taking away the necessary land from endangered local plant and animal species).
How can this be done?
The Wyss Academy has supported a recent SCNAT project that intends to support integrated, national spatial planning of renewable energy plants outside building zones with the best possible consideration of biodiversity and landscape objectives. It provides national planning foundations based on scientific facts and expert knowledge by defining criteria for the identification of priority areas where renewable energy infrastructure could be planned with the least possible impact for biodiversity and landscape quality. We co-financed the project and participated in the process leading to the report, which addresses a central Wyss Academy concern: How to achieve a just and mutually beneficial relationship between people and nature. While the catalogue of criteria is designed to support planning within Switzerland and is primarily aimed at the cantons, people in other geographic regions may find it useful.
The SCNAT Report on Planning the Expansion of Renewable Energies in a Manner Compatible with Biodiversity and the Landscape is available in French and German.