OR/17/039 Thematic working groups

Gill, J C, Mills, K, and Mankelow, J. 2017. Workshop report: earth and environmental science for sustainable development (Nairobi, March 2017). British Geological Survey Internal Report, OR/17/039. (Contributors/editors: Ellis, M, Lapworth, D, Ludden, J, Rees, G (CEH), Smith, M, and Watts, M).

The information collected in Prioritising the UN sustainable development goals was used to establish three thematic working groups on the second day of the workshop. These groups, and the reasons for their inclusion, were:

Food-Water-Energy Nexus	Focus on SDGs 2, 6, 7. Food and water ranked highly in terms of development priorities, and food, water and energy were all noted to be areas where Earth and environmental science can help deliver sustainable development. This group reflected the recognition of interconnections between the SDGs.
Clean Water and Sanitation	Focus on SDG 6. This SDG was repeatedly emphasised to be of high importance with a significant role for Earth science. This group reflected the importance that participants placed on this SDG.
Natural Resources (Minerals)	Focus on SDGs 8, 9, 12. Access to, and sustainable management of, natural resources underpins many of the SDGs, including those ranked as high priority (e.g., Zero Hunger) and medium priority (e.g., Economic Growth). This group reflected the expertise of participants, and their desire to explore how resource management can support the SDGs.

Each group also considered how their theme interacted with SDGs relating to poverty (SDG 1), health (SDG 3) and climate (SDG 13). Groups initially considered specific challenges relating to the theme of their working group, including drawing on those initially set out in Characterising specific challenges. These challenges were discussed to identify those of greater and lesser priority. Groups then proceeded to explore possible solutions to these challenges, reflecting on the science/innovation/technologies needed to have development impact.

We present a summary of the discussions in each working group in Food-water-energy nexus – Natural resources (minerals). These summaries are based on notes taken by members of each group and the feedback presented during summary sessions. The notes below, therefore, offer a record of the conversations had by groups but these conversations have not been edited or checked to remove errors.

Food-water-energy nexus

This group included contributions from: Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Strathmore University, African Collaborative Centre for Earth Systems Science, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, and the British Geological Survey.

Recognising the integrated approaches needed to tackle development objectives, this group focused on the food-water-energy nexus. This considered challenges relating to SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), and SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), and interactions between them.

Initial challenges related to competing interests of the three nexus components, recognising that these are often managed separately. Coordination is required, however, to help mitigate against cascading consequences. Coordination will likely depend on goal-orientated systems analysis, developing information networks to support modelling future scenarios (prediction). Principal goals are (i) access to clean water, (ii) access to cheap and clean energy, and (iii) crop productivity, lake/river management (fish) and animal husbandry. Additional challenges include data (discussed in more detail below), waste management, dietary diversity and sustainability.

Figure 5    ‘Food-Energy-Water Nexus’ thematic group. Exploring the science, innovation and technologies relating to this nexus, and the delivery of multiple SDGs.

Some preliminary examples were discussed which explored interactions between water, energy and food, with potential for changes due to climate change.

• Tana River Catchment. This is used for power and irrigation. It runs through 16 counties, each of which has a devolved governance structure.
• West Kenya Lakes. The site of the Dondo hydropower scheme. There is also an important fish economy.
• Urbanisation. The Nile Basin Initiative are exploring the impact of urbanisation on Lake Victoria (e.g., at Kisumu). There are issues of greywater, urban agriculture and waste. Urbanisation is also important in both (i) and (ii).

The group also discussed the following broader issues in depth:

• Data

Understanding data availability, quality, and baselines are important. There may be no digital (soft) copies of data, and/or significant information gaps. Monitoring and automated systems would help to improve data collection. Digital data capture systems are likely not used, but will be important. Data will still need to be screened for quality before processing.

Example: There exists ~50 years of meteorological data for Kenya, but some of this is only in hard copy. This data needs to be digitised, and a consistent data collection approach.

To understand data availability and gain access, trust is needed between stakeholders. Project details and benefits must be communicated effectively. When trust is established, doors will open. Some data is considered ‘top secret’ and requires an oath to be sworn to access it. Middle facilitators (e.g., NACOSTI) can help to engage ministries and ensure personal contacts are made, ideally with Permanent Secretaries in key ministries. It is key to involve senior figures within ministries. NACOSTI must be involved to get permits for research.

Research is needed into other data repositories and the mechanisms to assemble archived data. This may include the development of new technologies/sensors for new data. Possible holders of data include: Bureau of Statistics (a portal exists, with payment required to access it), Government Ministries, NGOs, and the Remote Sensing Center. There is also valuable information in the scientific literature and grey literature produced by key organisations (e.g., World Bank, DANIDA).

• Barriers and Partnerships

These include cultural (local attitudes, beliefs and lifestyles) and local governance issues. To help avoid resentment from local communities, it is important to stop rumours about the work being done. Involving local religious and community leaders can help this process, and help integrate the project with the community. Kenya has high levels of regional devolution, and therefore understanding and engaging with local government is critical. Identifying social scientists and cultural extension services operating in the regions of interest will be necessary in the context of any project. Groups involved in climate, political economy, social and economic sciences should be identified. Kenya has many multi-disciplinary research institutes (e.g., Strathmore University, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology). Local buy-in will also be necessary in the development of projects. Partnerships will need to be inter/trans/cross-disciplinary, sustained and involve active learning. For example, the Kenya Climate Information Center (KCIC, (www.kenyacic.org/) have experience of unlocking cultural barriers relating to dietary habits. A culture is needed that enables people to work together.

• Lessons Learned

There are many success and failure stories that can help us to learn. For example, the Kisumu port has community chillers to improve fish preservation, with the community actively providing this solution. Another lesson is the value of using science communicators to translate technical solutions to stakeholders.

• Capacity Building

This should be in academia and local communities at all levels. Strengthening capacity beyond Nairobi was requested.

Clean water and sanitation

This group included contributions from: Westerveld Agriculture and Livestock Development, Maseno University, African Association of Women Geoscientists, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, University of Eldoret, World Vision Kenya, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and the British Geological Survey.

Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) ranked highly in terms of priority and requiring Earth and environmental science (Prioritising the UN sustainable development goals). A working group was established to discuss this SDG, and explore what activities could help to address the range of challenges previously noted in Table 4.

Figure 6    ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’ thematic group. Exploring the science, innovation and technologies required to tackle specific challenges relating to clean water and sanitation (SDG 6).

After an initial discussion, the group decided to focus on clean water, reflecting the stakeholders’ areas of expertise, the workshop remit of ‘Earth and Environmental Science’ and time limitations. However, it was recognised that there are many important links between water and sanitation. Potential collaborative activities discussed by this group are noted below:

1. Water Availability Mapping There is a range of information available on water quantity and quality issues, but this data is stored and disseminated by multiple organisations. For example, the Water Resources Management Authority, National Environment Management Authority, Survey of Kenya (part of the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning), Department of Resource Survey and Remote Sensing, Met Office, and the Geology Department. Bringing these agencies, and their data, together is a challenge, but is very important to understanding what data is available and where the gaps are. A data portal could be developed that would enable information to be collated and disseminated to multiple users. It would enable the gaps in data to be identified, with these gaps ranked in terms of priority to gather data. NGOs (e.g., Oxfam) hold some data in Kenya (e.g., access to clean water). 2. Water Policy, Governance and Management a. There is currently no groundwater-monitoring network in some countries in eastern Africa. For example, Kenya has no formal network while Uganda has a well-established network. It is difficult to understand and manage challenges of over-abstraction and unsustainable utilisation of groundwater without some baseline monitoring. One area of collaboration could be in the design and installation of a monitoring network, with the development of in-country protocols for reporting and summarising monitoring results. This information could feed in to a cross hydro- meteorological agency process to develop a national hydrological outlook or similar. This could form, for example, the basis for improved monitoring during the onset of droughts and managing and coordinating responses to them more effectively. It is difficult to understand and manage challenges of over-abstraction and unsustainable utilisation of groundwater. The design and installation of a monitoring network, with protocols for reporting and summarising monitoring results would help to address this challenge. b. Catchment and/or Land Use Management was also highlighted as an important topic relevant to this SDG, and draws upon various environmental and Earth science agencies. It is necessary for effective hazard mapping of water resources (i.e., impacts on quality and quantity of water from industry, agriculture and urbanisation). A good entry point for exploring potential research in this field is the Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA, www.kwta.go.ke/). Research could help to use state of the art technology and methods (including new observations and modelling) to close the gap in knowledge of current and future availability of clean water, giving good guidance for decision-making. 3. Key Data Gaps and Applied Research and Training Activities The group recognised that while some very good data sets are available across eastern Africa, there are many barriers to accessing and using the data for research and other purposes. The group also recognised that data sets to inform water resource planning are not available for many areas in Kenya and elsewhere in eastern Africa, and this has a major constraint on the science that is possible and the development of evidence in this region. In terms of skilled professionals, Kenya is in a better situation than many countries in the region. The local resource base with which to undertake water resource activities, however, was recognised to be a major constraint in delivering improved water and sanitation in the region. Partnerships and joint knowledge exchange, training and applied research activities, drawing on the expertise available across eastern Africa, could help to address this specific challenge.

Natural resources (minerals)

This group included contributions from: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Mining, Geological Society of Kenya, University of Nairobi, and the British Geological Survey.

The workshop included participants with expertise in natural resource management, and therefore a group was established to explore how this expertise can support sustainable development. Natural resources are necessary for the delivery of many SDGs, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Good Jobs and Economic Growth), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption). This group started by identifying specific challenges associated with the development of Kenya’s minerals sector (Table 6).

Table 6    Specific challenges in Kenya associated with the minerals sector

Theme	Specific challenges
Natural Resources (Minerals)	Technology
	Artisanal and small-scale mining (financial management, health, mercury and environmental impact, and security)
	Human resources and skills development (dialogue, skills and number of staff, understanding of modern processing techniques, need to make our science understandable at all levels)
	Links with other natural resources (minerals and renewable energy such as solar, nuclear, batteries, wind, hydropower, and geothermal)
	Best use of land (e.g., minerals vs other uses)
	Water needs
	Ensuring value addition to Kenya
	Location of resources
	Resource corridors
	People displacement and environmental impacts
	Data
	Resource substitution

Figure 7    ‘Natural Resources (Minerals)’ thematic group. Exploring the science, innovation and technologies relating to sustainable management of minerals, and the delivery of multiple SDGs.

Potential collaborative activities discussed by this group are noted below:

1. Mombasa to Nakuru/Kisumu Corridor Running for 600 km from Mombasa in eastern Kenya to Nakuru (Menengai/Kisumu) in western Kenya, with a width of approximately 20 km. This follows existing infrastructure development (e.g., railway), and is likely to be one corridor where future development in eastern Africa is concentrated. This project would seek to integrate data from multiple ministries and agencies to support surface and sub-surface land-use planning. For example, data would be required on geohazards, geology, mineral locations, geophysics, socio-economic factors, environment, land-use, and geotechnical parameters. The portal hosting this data would be dynamic, allowing real- time monitoring of ground conditions and ultimately 3D modelling of the sub-surface. 2. Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) This project would consider key factors associated with ASM in Kenya, including exploring what, where and how ASM is being done and could be done. ASM can provide alternative livelihoods in poor areas. For it be utilised effectively, a range of data, capacity building exercises and research programmes are needed. Examples identified by the working group include existing baseline data, supply chain analysis, health and safety training and awareness, possible rehabilitation tools, co-location of minerals, cost-benefit analyses, the roles of women and children in ASM, and geoeducation initiatives. The group also proposed comparing and contrasting ASM in terms of base metals and construction materials.