Kent Buchanan

What are you working on right now?
Currently I work part time with the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment, at the same time as finishing a PhD at Stellenbosch University. 

In government I support through technical advisory. My main focus is to support the development of sectoral emissions targets to lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHG targets). These targets are anchored in policies and allocated to various government departments. The purpose is to make sure national policy across the economy (including agriculture, electricity, mining, transport, environment and waste, human settlements) creates an enabling environment for the country's net zero goal by 2050. The targets also have to balance with socio economic development in the country. 
I lead engagements to develop these targets with other Ministries and support the technical analysis of greenhouse gas mitigation opportunities. 

My PhD is in the Agriscience faculty of Stellenbosch University and my topic is focused on climate smart agriculture. I am investigating how climate smart agriculture can be implemented in the wheat growing part of the country, the Western Cape. My research involves policy analysis (global and local policy);creating a data set for nitrous oxide emissions for differently managed wheat farms, and assessing the farms for yield resilience across a long term period of weather variability. 

How have you benefited from the education at LUMES?
LUMES has been a highlight overall. From the teaching approach at Lund University that really push critical thinking, to the fantastic environment of Lund (town) that provided a conducive setting for learning/growing as a person, to the wonderful community of LUMES, including faculty and especially classmates. 
We built life long friendships and we also have such a great network all over the world of like-minded people keen to solve sustainability challenges.  Whenever I travel for work, I am often able to find a LUMES person to meet with and I think this is such a privilege.  

The education provided gave me great preparation for my work in government to be aware of the tensions between economic development and environmental sustainability. This is especially the context of South African policy, a country that has incredible nature, significant socio economic challenges, while also being the largest contributor of greenhouse gases in Africa. 

What motivates you in your daily work?
My main motivation is to work with purpose and to be proud of my contribution, how ever small it is, so that my niece, children and their children can know that even in a world confronted with so many challenges it is still possible to fight the good fight. I think another main motivation that I use is curiosity and I use this day to day to keep going... It is also what led me to do my PhD so that I can fill some of the knowledge gaps in climate change and agriculture, something that is not studied enough in the sub-Saharan context enough. 

What do you see as the most important sustainability challenge currently?
I think the most important challenge is to reconnect people (individuals, communities, societies) to natural systems. We have manufactured our settlements, our food, our gardens.. the things we do for recreation have led society too far away from our natural systems and this has also enriched only a few of the world. By being so distant from natural systems it makes people forget about nature, let alone give gratitude to it. I think this is a deep rooted cause for our water, biodiversity, health, climate and air pollution challenges. The justice issues related are also significant that has negatively affected so many livelihoods in the world. 

What advice would you give to students in sustainability?
Firstly, I think students in sustainability should be aware of how 'sustainability' has shifted and maybe it has gotten lost in common culture. There may be other conceptual frameworks, or specific ones that if focused on can improve employment opportunities after finishing with studying. For example, my career has not really been focused on the climate lens of sustainability and this is likely where the rest of my career will be based. It is a specialisation of sorts within sustainability maybe? 

Also, for as much as you want to give (to improving sustainability) you also have to remember to take care of one's self. It can be a long career with many frustrations - things seemingly change slower than hoped so it is important to devise ways to keep up the optimism and energy.