Petra Holden

Dr Petra Holden 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.

In 2023, Petra’s work on nature-based solutions received the Frontiers Planet Prize, which awards research that contributes towards solutions to planetary environmental challenges.  Petra also received the AXA XL Climate Water Nexus Award in 2023, which recognised her research on nature-based solutions for an equitable, biodiverse and sustainable climate future. Petra also provides nature-based solution science advisory support to policy and practice. This includes serving on an international global advisory panel for gender inclusive nature-based solutions and as an advisor to the South African National Biodiversity Institute for supporting the access of international climate finance for nature-based solution projects and programmes.

For more information on Petra’s research see Google Scholar, ORCID and PiNC Lab.