Grassroots Vol 22 No 1 | Page 27

NEWS ience methodology framework that integrates biophysical and socioeconomic aspects of vulnerability and resilience ;

4 . Facilitate mainstreaming of adaptation responses into sectoral planning and implementation ;

5 . Promote research application , technology development , transfer and adoption to support planning and implementation ;

6 . Build the necessary capacity and awareness for climate change responses ;

7 . Establish effective governance and legislative processes to integrate climate change with development planning ;

8 . Enable substantial flows of climate change adaptation finance from various sources ; and

9 . Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation system that tracks the implementation of adaptation actions and their effectiveness .

Minister of Environment , Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy explained in 2020 that “ this strategy defines the country ’ s vulnerabilities , plans to reduce those vulnerabilities and leverage opportunities , outlines the required resources for such action , while demonstrating progress on climate change adaptation ”.

“ Adaptation to climate change presents South Africa with an opportunity

Figure 1 . Screenshot from the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

to transform the health of the economy and build resilience , thus strengthening the social and spatial fabric , and enables the country to remain globally competitive .”

A report by the World Bank on Africa ’ s Pulse : Climate Change Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa Can Improve Resilience and Deliver Jobs states that “ urban policies that are climate-sensitive can help local governments leverage their limited public finance with private sector investment while addressing problems such as pollution , floods , extreme heat and energy access ”.

Figure 2 . Screenshot from the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

“ For instance , energy-efficient retrofits of buildings , low-carbon municipal waste and water , and green urban transport can deliver benefits to cities in the short and medium term .”

The report notes that “ South Africa will need $ 215-billion in investment in its cities which would “ deliver benefits ” in South Africa of $ 700-billion , or just more than R10-trillion , and result in an average of 120,000 net new jobs in the country by 2050 .

“ Africa has been hit hard by climate change and there is a need for massive investment in adaptation – for instance , decarbonisation of the grid with renewable energy , nature-based urban infrastructure , scale-up of climate-smart agriculture and modernisation of food systems , among others .”

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