Current and future interactions between nature and society

Abstract

In this chapter, we undertake a comprehensive assessment of scenario studies that have been conducted to explore the future of the African region. The objective of the assessment is to explore the implications of different possible evolving relationships between nature and society over the coming decades, particularly in terms of key drivers of change, and impacts on biodiversity, NCP, human well-being, poverty and inequality. We specifically highlight the potential implications for the SDGs, Aichi targets and AU agenda, as well as priority issues such as climate change and the food-water-energy nexus that have been identified within the African context (Chapter 1). The assessment presented in this chapter aims to inform and strengthen the sciencepolicy interface in Africa, and set the stage for exploring governance and decision-making options in Chapter 6. However, before presenting the approach and results of our assessment, we provide a short overview of scenario approaches and concepts. The concept of “scenarios” is understood in several different ways and this is often a source of confusion, particularly within the African context where researchers, policymakers and practitioners are not necessarily familiar with scenario approaches.