Holden, Petra

Dr Petra Holden is a senior researcher within the African Climate & Development Initiative (ACDI) within the University of Cape Town and a Domestic Associate of EPRU. She specialises in transdisciplinary science to promote nature-based solutions that are equitable and effective. Crossing natural and social sciences, her current work intersects social equity, water and food security, ecosystem services, biodiversity, and climate change. Some of her past research includes quantifying how well nature-based solutions can offset anthropogenic climate change impacts on water supply.

Petra leads the People in Nature & Climate Lab (PiNC Lab) at ACDI. Researchers at the PiNC Lab use field studies, modelling, AI and synthesis within a transdisciplinary research framework to i) determine and quantify ecosystem services dynamics between nature-based solutions used for adaptation and mitigation, ii) explore approaches that support both equitable and effective nature-based solutions, iii) identify factors required to incentivise investment in nature-based solutions, and iv) find ways to support nature-based solution co-governance.