Mpumalanga

This page provides a summary of key provincial climate change issues and links to district level climate change information. Click on the links below for more information on each of the District Municipalities in the Province.

Provincial Climate Change Summary

Mpumalanga Province has a climate change Adaptation Strategy (2015) and Vulnerability Assessment. As with the Limpopo Province, the Mpumalanga adaptation strategy provides a comprehensive summary of the key adaptation issues and respective response options. However there is currently no action plan with associated responsibilities for these response options.

In terms of structures, there is no provincial climate change forum at present, but there is a group of officials that meet on an ad hoc basis to discuss climate change. There are however plans in place to formally institute a provincial climate change forum in July this year (12 and 13 July) that will include representatives from different departments and sectors including external NGOs and research institutions. There is currently no clear strategy regarding climate financing in the province.

Key Climate Change Response Issues

The table below is a summary of the key climate change adaptation response options, as outlined in the Mpumalanga Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

Adaptation Category	Adaptation Responses
Agriculture	Formally establish and strengthen strategic long-term partnerships for Climate Smart Agriculture. Secure, dedicate, and allocate substantial funding to carry out studies within the province. Fund and implement a comprehensive climate change awareness and skills-building programme within farming communities.
Forestry	Conduct further research into the development of more climate resilient trees. Revise site classification models. Review the Sector Disaster Management Plan for Forestry
Rural and Urban Livelihoods and Settlements	Devote resources to identifying and providing training on alternate sources of livelihood for different regions and communities within Mpumalanga. Create and strengthen business support development mechanisms for smallholder farmers. Redouble efforts to improve overall socio-economic security and wellbeing. Improve building practices and strengthen monitoring. Leverage existing financial mechanisms. Enhance disaster management and response. Improve information dissemination. Make better use of SPLUMA.
Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems	Develop a specialised climate change management programme to focus on protection of Mpumalanga’s two main terrestrial ecosystems in the face of climate change. Identify and integrate specific climate-change related priorities and metrics when next revising the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan (MBSP). Expand protected areas and promote the protected area expansion strategy. Enhance the use of ecological infrastructure to create natural buffers that create resilience against extreme weather events.
Tourism	Formally establish and draw resources to a scientific research project to better understand the impact of ecosystem and biodiversity changes on the tourism sector in Mpumalanga. Identify suitable buffers around protected areas so as not to negatively impact on tourism in reserves. Identify most sensitive or vulnerable tourist sites and site-specific adaptation measures.
Water Supply	Establish a cross-sectoral, inter-departmental governance framework to help integrate and mainstream climate change adaptation into all water related operations. Ensure that proposed water related infrastructure projects explicitly integrate climate change resilience into their planning and design stages. Raise performance and efficiency of water service delivery for domestic use, with aggressive quantitative targets.
Human Health	Formally join, participate in, and leverage capacity and information from global climate change health networks and knowledge-sharing platforms. Secure, dedicate, and allocate substantial funding for better climate-related health surveillance and monitoring in the province and carry out studies within Mpumalanga on health impacts of climate change. Fund and implement a comprehensive public health and climate change awareness and adaptive capacity building programme.
Disaster Management	Secure, dedicate, and allocate funding for research on specific climate-related disaster risks for Mpumalanga, based on climate change scenarios, including identifying geographic hotspots for each major disaster type. Develop and implement public awareness and training programmes based on this evidence base to educate people about climate change related disaster risks and responses. Strengthen overall disaster prevention, disaster management, and disaster response in the province through broad-based capacity building of first responders and relevant officials.

Current Climate Change Gaps

There are a number of theme specific interventions that are described in the table above. However, as with Limpopo, the key gap in the Mpumalanga Province is the capacity and stakeholder structures to respond to climate change. The province also needs more detailed action plans for the response options described in the Mpumalanga Adaptation Strategy and these response options need to be integrated into departmental sector plans and municipal IDPs. There is also a need for a clear strategy to secure and allocated climate financing.

Provincial Statistics

Mpumalanga Province is situated in the northeast of South Africa, sharing its north and south east borders with Mozambique and Swaziland, and its national borders with Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. Most of the provincial land is on the high plateau grasslands of the Middleveld, with mountainous regions in the north-eastern parts of the province. Mpumalanga is the second-smallest province after Gauteng, covering an area of 76,495 square kilometers (6.3% of of South Africa's land area). The province has a population of 4,229,300 people making up 7.8% of South Africa's total population. Mpumalanga comprises of 21 municipalities: three districts (Ehlanzeni, Nkangala and Gert Sibande) further divided into 18 local municipalities. It's capital city is Mbombela, previously known as Nelspruit, located in the Mbombela Local Municipality and is the administrative and business hub of the Lowveld (MCCVA, 2015; MPSoER, 2008; Odunyi et al., 2013). Mpumalanga is rich in coal reserves and therefore has substantial coal mining activity and an active mining sector. It produces close to 90% of South Africa's coal and is home to three of the biggest coal power stations in Southern Africa. Other important mineral resources mined in the area include chrome, steel, vanadium, asbestos, magnesite, iron ore, vanadium, limestone, dolomite, silica and construction materials some of which are an important source of exports for South Africa (PGDS, 2004). In addition to mining, other major sectors in the province include forestry and agriculture. The province has a large fruit and vegetable market which accounts for a significant percentage contribution towards the province's economy (PGDS, 2004).

Figure 1: Map of Mpumalanga Province showing its municipal boundaries.

Climate science

Mpumalanga has a sub-tropical climate characterised by hot summers and mild to cool winters shifting to cold and frosty conditions in the highveld regions. World Climate Data presented in the province's Vulnerability Assessment Report shows that current mean annual temperatures are highest in the north-west and north-east regions of the province, while mean annual precipitation tends to increase towards the eastern regions of the province. The province is characterised by summer rainfall and thunderstorms, with the exception of the escarpment which receives fair levels of precipitation throughout the year (MCCVA, 2015).

Figure 2: Mpumalanga Mean Annual Temperature in Degrees Celsius (Source: MCCVA, 2015).

Figure 3: Mpumalanga Mean Annual Precipitation in millimetres (Source: MCCVA, 2015).

Localised climate change projections

Climate change projections point towards increases in annual temperatures by at least 2°C in the next two decades (between 2015 and 2035) and higher increases over extended periods possibly reaching 4-6.5°C temperature increases in extreme scenarios. Rainfall averages are predicted to decrease in the long term, characterised by drying in the associated regions, particularly through the summer months. Precipitation patterns will display greater variability, with increasing rainfall in the winter months and an overall increase in heavy rainfall events and thunderstorms. Rainfall projections however show high levels of uncertainty with some models projecting a decrease in precipitation in the long term, while others suggest a moderate increase in the total volume of rainfall in the region (MCASR, 2015; MCCVA, 2015; Odunyi et al., 2013). The two most significant climate change projections are increases in average temperatures and rainfall variability with associated impacts shown in Table 1 below:

Table 1: Types of impacts linked to climate variability in Mpumalanga (Source: MCCVA, 2015).

Climate Variability	Type of Change	Impacts
Temperature Rise	Increased number of warm and very hot days, and increased daily maximum temperatures	Increased evaporation impacting on the availability of surface water Soil degradation due to increased acidity, nutrient depletion, declining microbiological diversity, lower water retention, and increased runoff Positive or negative impacts on crops’ growing seasons, yields, and growing range. Some crops – especially fruits – require a chill factor (a period of cold) in the winter to have a good harvest; Increased incidence of heat waves and associated health conditions for human and livestock health, such as heat stress. Heat especially impacts the health of the particularly old and young or those already suffering from other illness Increase in concentration and range of pests and pathogens that are human and livestock disease vectors (carriers), such as mosquitoes and ticks
Change in Rainfall	Increased number of consecutive dry days	Decreases in runoff and streamflow and an increased risk of drought, affecting crop production, food security, and rural livelihoods Reduced streamflow (a particular threat for communities dependent on surface water) Loss of soil moisture affecting crops and increased risk of soil erosion due to wind Increased risk of veld-fires and resultant threat to property, grazing, and crops
	Increased number of wet days and/or increase in extreme (heavy) precipitation events	Increased risk of floods and consequent damage to property, crops, and loss of life Water logging of soil which can affect crops Increased risk from water borne diseases, particularly after flood events Damage to bulk infrastructure such as irrigation systems Damage to property and crops from wind associated with violent storms Increase in lightning events which can damage crops and cause loss of life
	Variability or change in the timing of precipitation	Rain-fed agriculture, which relies on the timing of rains for planting and harvest, is particularly at risk Less predictability impacts on the management of water resources in catchments and large water infrastructure, with implications for water supply reliability

Agriculture and Forestry

Agriculture is the biggest land user in the province, accounting for approximately 68% of the provincial land, with cultivation utilising 15% and grazing utilising 53% of the land cover. Nature reserves and forestry plantations cover 19% and 9% of the province respectively, with the remaining part of the province used by human settlements, water bodies and mines (EGDP, 2011). Agriculture is the third largest sector in Mpumalanga and is estimated to provide employment for 6% of the province's population (MCCVA, 2015). Crops grown in Mpumalanga include maize, wheat, sorghum, barley, sunflower seed, soybean, groundnut, sugar cane, vegetables, coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, citrus, subtropical and deciduous fruit:such as mangoes, avocados, litchis, bananas, papaws, granadillas and guavas, as well as a variety of vegetables which are responsible for a notable percentage of the South Africa's exports (Odunyi et al., 2013). The province is the second largest producer of citrus fruit, contributing significantly to the provincial and national economy. The agricultural sector, which also includes animal husbandry and livestock rearing, contributes around six percent to the province’s annual average Gross Domestic Product (MCCVA, 2015). The province also has the largest forestry production region with one-third of South Africa’s forestry activity taking place here (Odunyi et al., 2013; PGDS, 2004). Forestry is a major economic sector, employing close to 38% of the country's employed. An additional benefit of the sector is its contribution to the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, aiding in climate change mitigation.

Mpumalanga's agricultural sector is highly sensitive to climatic change and its impacts, and is considered to be one of South Africa’s five most sensitive provinces in terms of agriculture susceptibility and risk. In view of the province's precipitation projections and a drying trend in some production areas, rain dependent agriculture will be most affected as changes will result in higher evaporation rates and changes to the soil profile. Climate change impacts additional to those previously mentioned include crop loss due to extreme weather conditions such as drought, floods, storms and fires; and the spread of pests into new areas as temperatures become more favourable. Conversely the commercial forestry sector in Mpumalanga is expected to benefit slightly from the effects of climate change, with more areas becoming more suitable for commercial plantations.

Climate change impacts in the agricultural sector appear to be cross cutting, affecting other critical areas in the province as it plays an essential role and is often at the core of human livelihood, poverty eradication and food security (MCCVA, 2015). In view of the province's climate change vulnerability and associated risks and impacts, adaptation measures which have been recommended as outlined in the Provincial Climate Change Adaptation report include the following:

Adaptation Measures (Agriculture):

Formally establish and strengthen strategic long-term partnerships for Climate Smart Agriculture and foster collaboration with key organisations
Secure, dedicate, and allocate substantial funding to carry out studies within the province
Fund and implement a comprehensive climate change awareness and skills-building programme within the farming communities

Adaptation Measures (Forestry):

Conduct further research into the development of more climate resilient trees
Revise site classification models
Review Disaster Management Plan for Forestry (MCASR, 2015)

Biodiversity

Mpumalanga is high in biodiversity with biodiversity rich areas covering close to 100 square kilometers of land, most of which is currently unprotected (PGDS, 2004). A total of 18.1% of the province is under formal biodiversity protection within national parks, provincial parks or private reserves (EGDP, 2011). While the province has a few protected areas, there is a great need for site specific protection and conservation of these biodiversity rich areas (MPSoER, 2008). Additionally, existing legal protection policies and tools for sensitive habitats are unclear placing climate sensitive species at risk due to habitat loss. Mpumalanga has three recognised centres of endemism and one proposed centre. It boasts 68 vegetation types: 9 forest types, 28 grasslands and 31 savannas. Close to 40% of land within Mpumalanga has been transformed, primarily within the grassland biome which is the most threatened ecosystem in the province (MCCVA, 2015). Grassland areas are most likely to be replaced by the savanna biome, with species currently present at higher elevations replaced by species from lower elevations, which move up with warmer temperatures. Warmer temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere will support the growth of wooded plants and trees, edging out grasses. Grasslands provide essential ecosystem services and changes to this biome will threaten endemic species. Savannas are currently the second most dominant ecosystem in the province and although appearing to have low sensitivity to temperature changes, savannas are dependent on rainfall during their germination stage. Climate change impacts on vegetation will also affect wildlife distribution in the Kruger National Park presenting significant implications for the province's tourism industry which is heavily driven by game and nature tourism (MCCVA, 2015). Figure 3 below displays the systematic biodiversity map of biodiversity priority areas in Mpumalanga which can be used by planners and decision-makers in a range of sectors.

Critical Biodiversity Areas: CBAs, Ecological Support Areas: ESAs, Other Natural Areas: ONAs, Protected Areas: PAs

Figure 4: Mpumalanga biodiversity priority areas (Source: SANBI).

In addition to the climate change impacts, biodiversity and species loss is also highly influenced by increasing industry and mining development in the province which results in large scale degradation of natural resources. Degradation resulting from human activities highlight that social, economic and ecological values of biodiversity are not adequately understood by the vast majority of people, highlighting the need for awareness raising and education in the province (MPSoER, 2008). Climate change will exert more pressure on already stressed systems, exacerbating impacts on species and ecosystems, ultimately impacting on other sectors.

Adaptation measures recommended in the Provincial Climate Change Response Strategy for the biodiversity sector are to:

Develop a specialised climate change management programme to focus on protection of Mpumalanga’s two main terrestrial ecosystems in the face of climate change
Identify and integrate specific climate change related priorities and metrics when next revising the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan (MBSP)
Expand protected areas and promote the protected area expansion strategy
Enhance the use of ecological infrastructure to create natural buffers that create resilience against extreme weather events (MCASR, 2015)

Health

The province's health sector is currently not functioning effectively and is considered to be under-capacitated. Public health in the province is also considered to be "facing a state of collapse" (MCASR, 2015). Climate change impacts will most likely exacerbate the current situation resulting in the rise of communicable, diarrheal, respiratory, vector and water borne diseases. The spread of disease will impact human livelihood in a province which already has poor public health status, has low health indices, and inadequate sanitation and health facilities (MCASR, 2015; MCCVA, 2015). Studies suggest that there is a high probability that Mpumalanga will become a malaria zone by 2050 if no control measures are implemented (Odunyi et al., 2013; Van Schalkwyk, 2008). Air quality is also a priority area (mitigation component) as studies show that air quality in this area is the poorest in South Africa (MPSoER, 2008). Climate change impacts in the province are therefore expected to affect the basic requirements for a healthy society, such as clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food resources and secure shelter. Additionally impacts from increased temperatures, heat waves, changes in rainfall regimes, and extreme weather events will pose further stress and pressure on vulnerable communities (MCASR, 2015).

Adaptation measure recommendations under the health sector of the Provincial Climate Change Response Strategy are to:

Formally join, participate in, and leverage capacity and information from global climate change health networks and knowledge-sharing platforms
Secure, dedicate, and allocate substantial funding for better climate related health surveillance and monitoring in the province and to carry out studies within Mpumalanga on health impacts of climate change.
Fund and implement a comprehensive public health and climate change awareness and adaptive capacity building programme (MCASR, 2015).

Human Settlements

Half of Mpumalanga's human population lives in poverty, with over 60% of the province's population residing in rural areas (MCCVA, 2015). Due to the rural and developing landscape of Mpumalanga, communities are often located in informal and disaster prone areas which are not suitable for resulting activities, thus placing strain on the environment and the associated ecosystem functions. The location of settlements makes them vulnerable to natural and other disasters such as floods, fires and the spread of diseases. The province also has high immigration rates due to the active mining sector which often leads to the development of informal settlements in surrounding areas. Informal settlements contribute to pollution and the degradation of a number of resources such as land and water (MPSoER, 2008). Changes in rainfall patterns will increase water-related disasters such as floods and severe storms, particularly in cases where the communities are located on flood plains and there is an absence of proper water drainage or channeling infrastructure (MCASR, 2015).

Adaptation Measures Recommendation for Mpumalanga are to:

Devote resources to identifying and providing training on alternate sources of livelihood for different regions and communities within the province
Create and strengthen support business development mechanisms for smallholder farmers
Redouble efforts to improve overall socio-economic security and wellbeing
Improve building practices and strengthen monitoring
Leverage existing financial mechanisms
Enhance disaster management and response
Improve information dissemination
Make better use of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act - SPLUMA (MCASR, 2015)

Marine and Aquatic Ecosystems

The province's marine ecosystems are sensitive to climatic changes. Projected high temperatures could affect chemical and biological reactions and ultimately impact the physiology of aquatic life. Increases in temperatures will also lead to higher evapotranspiration rates which together with reduced rainfall will increase salts and other constituents in the water, thereby decreasing water quality (MCASR, 2015). Long term impacts and effects could result in increased erosion of the aquatic boundaries, due to high intensity rainfall events. Other impacts will include drought and increased flooding events, both having a negative effect on marine and aquatic ecosystems (MCCVA, 2015). Adaptation measure recommendations for marine and aquatic ecosystems are classified collectively under the biodiversity section in the Provincial Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Report.

Water

Mpumalanga is a water stressed province already experiencing an increasing decrease in water availability and water quality, negatively impacting on the economy, the environment and human wellbeing. This is largely due to decreasing precipitation trends experienced in the region, industry and domestic demands and other water dependent uses. Annual precipitation varies from less than 500mm in the eastern Lowveld and 700mm in the western Highveld to more than 1,100mm in the escarpment. The province is also the source of four of Southern Africa’s major river systems, with just over 50% of the province's water drained out of the province by these systems: Olifants River System, the Orange River System (Vaal River), Nkomati River System (Crocodile, Sabie, Sand and Komati Rivers) and the Pongola River System (Usutu River). 46% of its water is required for irrigation (MEGDP, 2011). Other water uses include mining and electricity production (MCCVA, 2015). Climate change will lead to reduced water levels in the region due to drought and increased evaporation, and higher flooding incidences will result in decreasing water quality. Pollution of water sources in the province exert further strain to the sector. Acid mine drainage due to the mining industry poses devastating impacts on both surface and ground water (boreholes and water table) resources. The province also has various cases where sewage systems are illegally connected to storm water drainage systems heightening pressures on infrastructure, additional to the downstream impacts. Sewage contamination due to untreated sewage and non-compliant sewage works leads to further contamination of fresh water sources and wetland contamination (MCASR, 2015; MPSoER, 2008).

Adaptation measure recommendations in the sector recommended in the Provincial Climate Change Response Strategy are to:

Establish a cross-sectoral, inter-departmental governance framework to help integrate and mainstream climate change adaptation into all water related operations.
Ensure that proposed water related infrastructure projects explicitly integrate climate change resilience into their planning and design stages.
Raise performance and efficiency of water service delivery for domestic use, with aggressive quantitative targets (MCASR, 2015).

Disaster Management

The province recognises that climate change will increase the occurrence of climate related disasters within the region. Mpumalanga province is at high risk for veld fires, and as temperatures and evaporation rates increase across the province, hot and dry conditions are likely to worsen this risk. The interior of the province is particularly at high risk of fires. Information on climate-related disasters in Mpumalanga is also vast as disasters have increased in recent years highlighting the need to strengthen existing capacity to respond to disasters. The province is growing in capacity in terms of disaster management, with the establishment of structures and disaster management focused bodies which are in operation: the disaster risk management centre, the disaster risk management advisory forum, an inter-departmental disaster risk management committee, a volunteer disaster management unit, and a disaster risk management plan is also in place as part of the province’s IDP. The inter-departmental disaster risk management committee and the advisory forum are reported to be operating less effectively than other structures. Additionally based on internal studies, actual fire-fighting capacity seems to be low, at both capacity and functionality (MCASR, 2015).

Key recommendations for the disaster management sector are to:

Secure, dedicate, and allocate funding for research on specific climate-related disaster risks for Mpumalanga, based on climate change scenarios, including identifying geographic hotspots for each major disaster type.
Develop and implement public awareness and training programmes based on this evidence base to educate people about climate change related disaster risks and responses.
Strengthen overall disaster prevention, disaster management, and disaster response in the province through broad-based capacity building of first responders and relevant officials.

Extractives/Mining

Mining and minerals contribute approximately a fifth of Mpumalanga’s total economy. The sector contributes significantly to the economy, with the main minerals being coal, gold, and nickel, with some platinum. Although there seem to be no direct impacts linked to changes in temperature and rainfall compared to other sectors such as ecosystems and agriculture, the sector’s water dependency and the heat effects on working conditions makes it susceptible to climate change. Rising temperatures may pose health hazards and reduce labour productivity, and worsen air quality conditions within mines. There is however a major gap in research and understanding the effects and implications of a changing climate for its mining industry. Recommendations in the Climate Adaptation Strategy are said to provide a strong foundation for further work by the industry and the provincial government, including some collaborations. These are to:

Establish a long-term climate change and health programme for the mining sector in the province:
Organize an annual conference or symposium in the province focused on the mining industry’s response to climate change:
Fund a province-specific assessment of water related climate change risk to the mining industry in Mpumalanga (MCASR, 2015)

Tourism

Mpumalanga often attracts the third highest number of international tourists, estimated to make a five and ten billion Rands annual contribution to the national economy and accounting for 3.4 – 6.4% of Mpumalanga’s economy. Climate change will alter the natural world, modifying the habitat range of animals and the growing range of plants, introducing alien invasive species into regions previously not suited climatically, decreasing the numbers of some less resilient species that are unable to cope with rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns. Being home to the Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon, Echo caves, ‘God’s Window,’ Sabi Sands Game Reserve and other nature tourism destinations, a change in climate poses a huge risk to associated ecosystems. Climate adaptation measures recommended for Tourism in Mpumalanga include actions to:

Formally establish and draw resources to a scientific research project to better understand the impact of ecosystem and biodiversity changes on the tourism sector in Mpumalanga.
Identify suitable buffers around protected areas so as not to negatively impact on tourism on reserves.
Identify most sensitive or vulnerable tourist sites and site-specific adaptation measures (MCASR, 2015).

Policy and Institutional Environment

Policies and strategies

Mpumalanga Climate Adaptation Strategy Report: The report was developed over a five month period with the Department of Environmental Affairs, funded by GIZ. It was developed through a two phased process with the first phase of three months dedicated to conducting climate change vulnerability assessments in the province, to assess and identify sectors which are most at risk and vulnerable to climatic change which have been classified as high priorities areas for which adaptation strategies are required. The strategy report presents a brief situational analysis of each prioritised sector; highlights the sectors vulnerability to climate change; presents adaptation opportunities in Mpumalanga and South Africa; presents case studies, Lessons and best practices from other countries; and lastly climate adaptation measures to be considered by the sector. The report provides recommendations for the development of strategies per sector speaking into the different areas and proposes departmental involvement, management, partnerships, institutional arrangements and funding. The Adaptation Strategy Report was developed with the purpose of having it later translated into implementable and actionable adaptation plans.

Provincial Growth and Development Strategy: The Strategy aims to promote integrated planning, which will enable development to be delivered in an efficient and co-ordinated manner in the province. It was developed for the purpose of aligning the policies and strategies of all spheres of Government, and addresses the key and most fundamental issues of development spanning the social, economic and the political environment (PGDS, 2004). It highlights Key Priority Areas, and one of these is aimed at ensuring Sustainable Environmental Development which aligns with climate change in the province.

Integrated Water Quality Management Strategy for the Vaal river system: The strategy extends into Mpumalanga Province and looks at potential savings through water conservation and water demand management in the Upper and Middle Vaal Water Management Areas (MCASR, 2015).

Structures

The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land & Environment Affairs (DARDLEA) is the lead department that coordinates climate change for Mpumalanga. There are however only two environmental control officers (one in pollution and waste management, the other in environmental policy planning) that have climate change included as a small part of their job descriptions, and these officers have other responsibilities as well. These officers currently play a coordinating role of climate change related issues in the province.

According to a recent workshop with provincial stakeholders on the 13 June 2016, it was highlighted that a provincial climate change forum will be formally instituted on the 12th and 13th of July 2016. The forum will include representatives from different departments and sectors including external NGOs and research institutions.

Prior to this, officials from different departments were meeting on an ad hoc basis to discuss climate change issues, and a number forums included elements of climate change. Staff from Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land & Environment Affairs (DARDLEA) were familiar with these forums and were participating in some of them to raise climate change issues.

These forums include:

Provincial Outbreak Response Task Team (Health)
Catchment Management Forums (Crocodile, Usuthu and Komati)
Disaster Management Advisory Forum
Fire Protection Associations
Mpumalanga Freight and Logistics Forum
Provincial Transport Planning Forum
Construction Forum
Terrestrial species specific forums
Pests and Forestry Forum
COGTA energy forum
RAMDEK- A forum that looks at mining applications.

Communication of climate change information

At a recent workshop held with provincial stakeholders on the 13 June 2016, stakeholders agreed that accessing information on climate change was a challenge and that climate change information was “not flowing” down from national and other departments. Stakeholders stated that they are dependent on networks and referrals to access climate related information, and that it often depends on “who you know” to access climate change information. It was highlighted by participants that the development of a provincial climate change forum would greatly assist in sharing and communicating climate related information but it was also suggested that existing forums should be used to disseminate climate change information, such as the existing disaster management forums.

Research

In terms of climate change related research in the province, according to information provided by provincial stakeholders at a workshop on the 13 June 2016, there has been some research done by the province in the agriculture, forestry, and biodiversity sectors. In the biodiversity sector the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has conducted some climate related research that informed the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan (MBSP). In the forestry and fire sector there has been some research conducted on forestry clones that will be able to adapt to changes in climate, as well as a fire management study and the development of a fire danger rating system at a local level. Some of the provincial departments have existing relationships with research institutions conducting climate change research. These include:

MTPA - Scientific services work with University of Cape Town
Health Department – Established a relationship with WITS and Pretoria University.
DARDLEA- In 2014 worked with the CSIR to develop a climate change manual for school learners.
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)- Established a relationship CSIR and Institute for Forestry Research at the University of Pretoria.

Programs

Mpumalanga climate change literacy programme: A manual for environmental educators and teachers (MPSoER, 2008)
Mpumalanga Youth Against Climate Change: The group has been involved in projects or programmes concerning climate change. They have also done presentations at schools and gatherings in and outside eMalahleni Mpumalanga Action Voices.
Funding from SEDA for solar water heaters.

Climate Change Budget and Finance

Currently there are no clear strategies or programs that are focused on climate financing. According to a recent workshop with provincial stakeholders on the 13 June 2016, stakeholders highlighted that they are unaware of the climate change funding opportunities that are available and experience challenges when completing proposals for funding.

Subpages (3): Ehlanzeni District Municipality - DC32 Gert Sibande District Municipality - DC30 Nkangala District Municipality - DC31

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