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The management of shared water resources has been a continuing challenge for all of southern Africa, particularly in the Zambezi, the largest river basin in the region. Spread across 1.37 million square kilometers and eight countries, the area is home to around 40 million people who rely on the river for among other things, drinking water, fisheries, and irrigation. Rapid population growth, increasing climate variability, and the need to expand secure access to water, energy, and land, however, suggest that basin countries will face serious challenges in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Researchers from the IIASA Integrated Solutions for Water, Energy, and Land (ISWEL) project, have been engaging with stakeholders in the Zambezi Basin to develop tools and capacities around the management of the water-energy- land nexus. To date, the ISWEL team have co-organized two workshops with the Zambezi Watercourse Commission, and participated in a number of meetings with experts and stakeholders from the eight riparian countries to discuss desirable futures and pathways for the basin with regard to water, energy, and land security. “The workshops have led to an enhanced and shared understanding of the main challenges, and the implications of different investments in the Zambezi basin,” says Barbara Willaarts, a researcher with the IIASA Water Program. “We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback and participants have emphasized the importance of cooperation between countries as key to achieving their goals.” AFRICA Written by: Ansa Heyl Preserving the Zambezi Basin for future generations Further info: www.iiasa.ac.at/events/ISWEL-18 Barbara Willaarts: willaart@iiasa.ac.at Like much of the continent, South Africa is facing severe threats from climate change, economic inequality, poverty, and unemployment. These threats compelled the government to pass legislation aimed at promoting economic development and environmental protection. The program seeks to increase the nation’s share of renewable resources into the national energy mix, create jobs and economic empowerment for black communities, and drastically reduce carbon emissions. Results from recent studies, however, show that this program is not achieving its goals and that although money from the program is flowing into local communities, in many cases it is failing to benefit them. IIASA researcher and former Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program participant, Elvis Nkoana, endeavored to understand what is preventing the program from being successful. In his study, Nkoana showed that the program is highly fragmented. Local communities are often not engaged, which has led to powerful stakeholders taking advantage of at-risk communities. The study also revealed other key problems such as a lack of awareness of the program and a shortage of skilled workers. “While the intentions of the program are admirable, the execution and approach is limiting its ability to succeed,” explains Nkoana. “Raising awareness and empowering local leaders is key to improvement in the short term. Beyond that, the government must create a framework that protects and prioritizes vulnerable communities.” Further info: Nkoana E (2018). Community acceptance challenges of renewable energy transition: A tale of two solar parks in Limpopo, South Africa. Journal of Energy in Southern Africa 29 (1): 34-40 [pure.iiasa.ac.at/15333] Elvis Nkoana: nkoanem@unisa.ac.za Written by: Jeremy Summers Overcoming challenges to sustainable renewable energy in South Africa Regional impacts www.iiasa.ac.at20 Options Winter 2018/19