A Sustainable Asset Valuation Assessment of Nature-Based Solutions in the Jukskei River Catchment in Johannesburg

A SAVi assessment of the SUNCASA project in Johannesburg's Jukskei River catchment finds that nature-based solutions—including riparian restoration of 469 hectares and planting 46,000 trees—will generate USD 8.6 million in net benefits over 25 years. The highest return comes from improved water quality, which is expected to save USD 3.7 million in health costs.

• The nature-based solutions (NbS) interventions in the Jukskei River catchment are projected to generate USD 8.6 million in net benefits over 25 years. The investment provides a return of USD 3.06 for every USD 1 invested, with costs recovered within 7 years.
• Improving water quality provides the highest economic return of the interventions, with avoided health costs associated with water pollution estimated at USD 3.7 million over 25 years.
• The SUNCASA project, implemented by the World Resources Institute and the International Institute for Sustainable Development, involves specific restoration targets: planting 46,000 urban trees and performing riparian restoration across 469 hectares.
• The Jukskei River catchment is characterized as one of Johannesburg's most degraded urban ecosystems due to factors including aging infrastructure, solid waste dumping, invasive alien species, rapid urbanization, and informal settlements in riparian zones.

APA

Kapetanakis,, M. (2026). A Sustainable Asset Valuation Assessment of Nature-Based Solutions in the Jukskei River Catchment in Johannesburg. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-solutions-johannesburg

Chicago

Kapetanakis,, Michail. A Sustainable Asset Valuation Assessment of Nature-Based Solutions in the Jukskei River Catchment in Johannesburg. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2026. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-solutions-johannesburg.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kapetanakis, |first1=Michail |title=A Sustainable Asset Valuation Assessment of Nature-Based Solutions in the Jukskei River Catchment in Johannesburg |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=18 March 2026 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-solutions-johannesburg |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kapetanakis2026sustainable, author = {Kapetanakis,, Michail}, title = {{A Sustainable Asset Valuation Assessment of Nature-Based Solutions in the Jukskei River Catchment in Johannesburg}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-solutions-johannesburg}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }