SHEFS-SA is a transdisciplinary, multi-institutional project funded by the Wellcome Trust and led by the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Its overall aim is to catalyse the transformation of Southern African food systems and communities (specifically in South Africa, Malawi, and Zimbabwe), towards ones that are healthy and resilient to climate change risks. The RVC’s role focuses on livestock source food systems.

Challenge       

Southern African countries are currently experiencing the impacts of climate change that are directly impacting local food systems. These include shifting seasonal rainfall patterns, more frequent droughts, and extreme weather events like heatwaves and floods. Food systems in the region are already challenged to meet the food and nutrition security needs of a growing population, and to provide equitable access to food that is safe, nutritious, and that is produced in an environmentally sustainable manner. SHEFS-SA aims to better understand the impacts of climate change on health via the food system, and to provide actionable evidence for informed decision-making, through identifying and developing practical solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Solution      

A team of researchers collaborates across the three research countries, and draws on expertise of UK researchers (including the RVC, LSHTM, UCL, City University and University of Aberdeen) that participated in the predecessor project, SHEFS. Lessons learned from the application of a Food Systems approach to the analysis of livestock food systems by the RVC team in SHEFS is expanded on to focus more on climate change and health within SHEFS-SA.

The project is made up of four Workstreams, namely, a) Coordination, integration, evaluation and learning, b) Building a Community of Practice (in climate and health research), c) Modelling and Measurement, and d) Policy and Practice. Within the project several themes of research exist including the Livestock Theme, of which the RVC team are co-leads. Research within this theme includes i) mapping key livestock systems across the three counties, ii) reviewing relevant national and regional policies, iv) identifying the impacts of climate change on individual systems, v) engaging with communities to explore existing and novel adaptation strategies, and vi) integrating knowledge to codesign best-bet interventions to pilot within vulnerable communities to improve their food and nutrition security, food safety, health and climate resilience.

The Livestock mapping and policy research is being facilitated by an additional research synthesis grant from the African Synthesis Centre for Climate Change, Environment and Development (ASCEND).

Impact      

A shift in understanding and mental models is achievable through wider systems analysis, highlighting the complexity of the system and interconnectedness of system components. In addition, maximal leverage points within the system will be identified, whilst avoiding unintended consequences and considering trade-offs of potential interventions. This systemic analysis will also provide evidence to inform a just transition to climate smart, sustainable and equitable food systems, and to related positive health outcomes.

Partners      

University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; University of Zimbabwe; Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences; Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK; University College London, UK; City University, UK; University of Aberdeen, UK.      

Publications