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
There are many institutions in place that are addressing climate change issues in the province. These include the Climate Change Adaptation Work Group and the Sustainable Resource Management Work Group.
There has been some access to climate financing, however the Climate Change Strategy highlights the need for mainstreaming climate change into decision making at all levels of society.
Key Climate Change Response Issues
The table below is a summary of the key climate change adaptation response options for the Western Cape.
Adaptation Category |
Adaptation Responses |
Water Security and Efficiency |
|
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Goods and Services |
|
Coastal and Estuary Management |
|
Food Security |
|
Managing the effects of increased temperature on human lives |
|
Healthy Communities |
|
Current Climate Change Gaps
There is a strong policy and research environment to support climate change initiatives in the province. This is supported by existing multi-stakeholder forums and dedicated institutional responsibilities for climate change. The Western Cape is therefore well placed to respond adequately to the risks and responsibilities associated with climate change in the future. As outlined in the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy, the key intervention is to ensure that climate change issues are mainstreamed into public, private and civil society processes. This will help unlock resources and ensure solutions are implemented in a proactive manner in the province.Provincial Statistics
The Western Cape lies on the southernmost tip of South Africa and is bordered by the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. It represents 11% (129,462 square kilometres) of the country's total land area, and is the fourth largest province, after the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and the Free State Provinces (Statistics South Africa 2016). The Western Cape is rich in biodiversity and is home to the globally recognised Cape Floristic Region biodiversity hotspot (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013).The Western Cape is divided into one Metropolitan Municipality: The City of Cape Town and five district municipalities: Central Karoo, Eden, Overberg, Cape Winelands and West Coast (Figure 2). With a population of 6,279,730, the Western Cape represents 11.2% of the national population (StatsSA, 2015). The 2.5% population growth rate in the province is attributed to the positive economic growth rate and the resulting migration from other provinces and countries (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013). This positive growth does however place further pressure on the environment.
Figure 1: Map of Western Cape Province showing its municipal boundaries
Climate Science
The mid-latitudes located province has a mild Mediterranean climate due to it being the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans resulting in cold Benguela and warmer Agulhas current interactions. The province has been identified as being vulnerable to climate change, particularly in areas towards the west of the province (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013). Climate shifts observed over the past five decades include temperature increases, higher maximum and minimum mean temperatures, and an increase in the number of hot days. Recent climate-related extreme events experienced in the province include torrential rains causing flash floods which are the most common hazard linked to direct economic losses in excess of R5 billion. Hailstorms have also resulted in large significant losses in agriculture, affecting crop yield and income in turn leading to job losses which impact the poor. Drought periods have also had extreme impacts in the Karoo and southern Cape affecting water supply which has various impacts. These extreme events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity placing pressure on land, impacting on food security, poverty, urbanisation and biodiversity issues in the province (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013).Localised climate change projections
The Western Cape is the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans where the warmer Agulhas current flows westwards along the southern coast and the cold Benguela current runs up the west coast (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013). The interaction between these currents and the province’s location in the mid-latitudes, results in a mild Mediterranean climate (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013).
The Western Cape is expected to be among the provinces worst hit by climate change. Climate change projections for the Western Cape indicate an increased warming trend coupled with drought, increased summer rainfall and longer time periods between extreme rainfall events (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014). These projections increase the risk profile of the province which is at present vulnerable to drought, fires and floods particularly in areas towards the west of the province (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013). Extreme events such as heat waves, storm surges , fires, and intense flood events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity.
Provincial Vulnerabilities
Agriculture and Food Security
The agricultural sector in the Western Cape Province is responsible for 20% of South Africa’s agricultural production and an estimated 55%-60% of the country’s agricultural exports (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013; Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014). Current and projected climate change impacts in the Western Cape pose a major threat to agriculture, particularly the wine sector, deciduous fruit industries and dryland agriculture (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013). The greatest threats of climate change to the agricultural sector are linked to crop yield and favourable growth conditions for seasonal crops; insufficient water for irrigation; the distribution and intensity of crop pest species; as well as the spread of diseases and propagation of weeds. Climate change could have a significant impact on market prices, and profit for the sector which will likely impact on food security. (Western Cape Government Agriculture et al. 2015).Some crops could however become more suitable for production due to regional climate shifts. The Western Cape Climate Change Adaptation Strategy has therefore recognised the need for climate smart agriculture which focusses on building the resilience of farmers and improving livelihoods through poverty reduction (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
Natural Resources and Biodiversity
Figure 3: Current biome delineation in Western Cape
The Western Cape Province is rich in biodiversity, containing five of South Africa’s biomes, namely: Forest; Fynbos; Nama Karoo; Succulent Karoo; and Albany Thicket (Figure 3) within its boundaries. The Western Cape is also home to the Cape Floristic Region which has been classified as a global biodiversity hotspot and was given World Heritage Status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013; Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014). The Cape Floristic Region which includes the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes, is the world’s smallest floral kingdom, yet, it has the highest plant biodiversity and contains 68% of the country’s threatened species (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
The province is also home to unique animal species, many of which are dependent on the survival of the vegetation in the area. The freshwater fish in the Western Cape Province are particularly diverse and the province has the highest number of threatened and endemic freshwater fish species in South Africa (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013).
Biodiversity is a critical component of the Western Cape Province’s economy and livelihoods as it forms the basis of the fishing industry, provides land cover that supports commercial and subsistence farming, supports endemic and indigenous species that contribute to the agriculture and horticulture industry, and yields indigenous resources that are used for commercial and non-commercial medicinal purposes (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013).
The biodiversity of the Western Cape is under threat from the invasion of alien species, overexploitation of natural resources, and pollution which are all likely to be exacerbated by the changing climate (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
Under "worst-case scenario" assumptions, species losses in the province are estimated to be as high as 30%, as the change in climate is likely to be quicker than the natural adaptive rate/capacity of many species and systems (Midgley et al. 2005).
Health
The population in the Western Cape is characterised by high incidences of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, high rates of unemployment, and continuously increasing informal settlements (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014). Thereby, making many vulnerable to climate-induced hazards such as drought, floods, high winds, cold snaps and heat waves. Health impacts caused by these events include communicable diseases, heat stress, and the expansion of vector-borne diseases (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014). Droughts and flood events will also affect water availability and quality, increasing water contamination and disease risk.Human Settlements
The Western Cape has a high rate of immigration which places pressure on the delivery of basic services and on the ability of the natural environment to cope with change (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013). The province’s high levels of poverty and inequality results in more people becoming dependent on ecological goods and services which can lead to increases in environmental degradation and pollution (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013).Climate change impacts are likely to affect human settlements in both urban and rural areas in the province, with damage to infrastructure predicted. Informal settlements are particularly vulnerable to climate change related events such as floods, drought, winds, and fires because of their location in flood prone areas, use of inferior building materials, close proximity to one another and inadequate road access for emergency vehicles (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013; Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
The Western Cape prioritises Critical Infrastructure, Human Settlements and Integrated Waste Management in its climate change strategy (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014). This involves identifying critical infrastructure at risk of climate related hazards, and to develop risk reduction and adaptation plans to secure these critical infrastructure hotpots.
Water
The Western Cape is situated within three of six hydrological zones in South Africa, namely: the Breede-Gouritz-Berg, Mzimvubu to Tsitsikamma, and a portion of the lower Orange Hydrological Zones (Figure 4). Surface water originating from rivers and dams is the primary source of water in the Western Cape. Surface water resources in the province are managed by the Western Cape Water Supply System which in turn supplies water to the City of Cape town as well as surrounding urban centres and agricultural areas (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013).Figure 4: Hydrological zones in Western Cape
Water resources in the Western Cape are already stressed due to the region's strong seasonal Mediterranean climate, coupled with demand which exceeds water availability (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013). Pressure and demand on the province's water resources is expected to increase over time since climate change projections indicate that temperatures will rise and rainfall might decrease (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
An increase in the frequency of drought will further reduce the availability of water in the province mostly affecting water intensive activities, particularly agriculture, livestock farming and mining (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013).
Changes in sea surface temperatures and ocean acidity will affect marine and coastal ecosystems and the associated distribution and stock of fisheries (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013). The fisheries sector is one of the key economic sectors in the Western Cape, and has significant socio-economic implications for smaller coastal communities in the province (Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013).
Estuaries in the Western Cape are already highly modified, and characterised by poor health and low levels of protection. Wetlands are also under threat and are already being degraded through conversion of the land to agriculture. The projected drought and drying trends will have a significant impact on these estuaries, wetlands and rivers as there will be a reduced availability of water. (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014; Midgley et al. 2005; Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2013).
Policy and Institutional Environment
Policies and Strategies
The Western Cape's Climate Change Response Strategy was finalised in 2014. This strategy was developed and builds upon the 2008 Climate Change Response Strategy and action plan. The updated version contains responses and priority planning areas focusing on both climate change mitigation and adaptation.The Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy, 2014: This new Strategy is aligned to the National Climate Change Response White Paper (2011) underlining its aim to strategically direct and mainstream climate change actions and related issues throughout relevant Provincial agendas.(Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).In line with the National Climate Change Response Policy, the Strategy takes a two-pronged approach to addressing climate change:
- Mitigation: Contribute to national and global efforts to significantly reduce GHG emissions and build a sustainable low carbon economy, which simultaneously addresses the need for economic growth, job creation and improving socio-economic conditions
- Adaptation: Reduce climate vulnerability and develop the adaptive capacity of the Western Cape’s economy, its people, its ecosystems and its critical infrastructure in a manner that simultaneously addresses the province’s socio-economic and environmental goals.
The strategy outlines envisaged climate change adaptation outcomes for the province as follows:
- Natural systems that reduce climate vulnerability and improve resilience to climate change impacts;
- Reduced climate vulnerability and increased coping capacity within communities across the province;
- An actively adaptive and climate change responsive economy ready to take advantage of opportunities arising out of climate change, as well as reducing losses.
In order to give effect to these outcomes, the strategy prioritises the following actions:
- Recognition and prioritisation of scaled and unprecedented climate response mechanisms as an integral component of provincial transversal growth and development programmes
- Institutionalisation of and mainstreaming climate change response into government and other stakeholder structures, strategic plans and action plans
- Ongoing collaborative research in order to:
- monitor changing conditions and provide and improve implementable local climate solutions
- develop innovative ways, funding mechanisms and partnerships to effectively and proactively respond to changing climatic conditions
- better understand the complexities inherent in these conditions
- Select Focus Areas the Strategy will be implemented with an initial focus on select areas supported by cross-cutting programmes and partnerships.
The select focus areas identified in the Strategy including both mitigation and adaptation selected based on the urgency of action required are:
- Energy Efficiency and Demand-Side Management
- Renewable Energy
- The Built Environment, including Critical Infrastructure, Human Settlements and Integrated Waste Management
- Sustainable Transport
- Water Security and Efficiency
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Goods and Services
- Coastal and Estuary Management
- Food Security
- Healthy Communities
Other strategies and programs which have been developed or implemented, and have a climate change component have been included in this section:
OneCape 2040: Attempts to stimulate a transition towards a more inclusive and resilient economic future for the Western Cape region. Seeks to set a common direction to guide planning and action and promote common commitment and accountability in responding to climate change (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
Green is Smart - Western Cape Green Economy Strategy Framework: sets out an agenda for how the Western Cape can become a global pioneer in the green economy and the leading green economic hub of the African continent. The framework is designed to shift the Western Cape economy from its current carbon intensive and resource wasteful path with high levels of poverty to one that is smarter, greener, more competitive and more equal and inclusive (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014). The Western Cape Climate Change Strategy informed the development of the Green Economy Strategy and efforts were made to ensure alignment and prevent duplication. The following climate related priority areas identified in the Green Economy Strategy Framework include: Sustainable labour intensive farming; Farming practices that are in harmony with nature; and, Water technologies that reduce consumption and increase efficiency (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
Climate Change Response Framework for Agriculture: The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCG: Agriculture), Farmers and agri-businesses in the province are implementing responses to existing climate risks and some are starting to respond to climate change. Under the leadership of the University of Cape Town’s African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI), a consortium is developing a provincial climate change response framework and implementation plan for the agricultural sector. The Western Cape is currently finalising a Climate Change and Agriculture Response Framework and Implementation Plan which sets out to:
OneCape 2040: Attempts to stimulate a transition towards a more inclusive and resilient economic future for the Western Cape region. Seeks to set a common direction to guide planning and action and promote common commitment and accountability in responding to climate change (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
Green is Smart - Western Cape Green Economy Strategy Framework: sets out an agenda for how the Western Cape can become a global pioneer in the green economy and the leading green economic hub of the African continent. The framework is designed to shift the Western Cape economy from its current carbon intensive and resource wasteful path with high levels of poverty to one that is smarter, greener, more competitive and more equal and inclusive (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014). The Western Cape Climate Change Strategy informed the development of the Green Economy Strategy and efforts were made to ensure alignment and prevent duplication. The following climate related priority areas identified in the Green Economy Strategy Framework include: Sustainable labour intensive farming; Farming practices that are in harmony with nature; and, Water technologies that reduce consumption and increase efficiency (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
Climate Change Response Framework for Agriculture: The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCG: Agriculture), Farmers and agri-businesses in the province are implementing responses to existing climate risks and some are starting to respond to climate change. Under the leadership of the University of Cape Town’s African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI), a consortium is developing a provincial climate change response framework and implementation plan for the agricultural sector. The Western Cape is currently finalising a Climate Change and Agriculture Response Framework and Implementation Plan which sets out to:
- Provide a time-specific strategic roadmap to a climate-resilient agricultural sector
- Provide spatially explicit, commodity-specific and scale-sensitive implementation pathways for specific climate risks that are practical and effective
- Promote opportunities for the sector through climate change adaptation and mitigation
- Inspire farmers and agri-business to optimise decision making for a resilient and sustainable future in the face of complex and uncertain changes
- Strengthen the enabling environment for autonomous (farmer-led) and planned (government-led) responses
- Facilitate a more integrated, co-ordinated and co-operative response through strong multi-stakeholder partnerships, networks and knowledge sharing
- Mobilise and direct new investments in agriculture in support of adaptation and mitigation (Western Cape Government Agriculture et al. 2015).
Programmes
City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Network (BioNet) and planning tools that map out the Province’s Critical Biodiversity Areas, have identified the minimum set of land parcels required to conserve a representative sample of Cape Town and the Western Cape’s unique biodiversity in the face of climate change, as well as urban growth and expansion (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
The Berg River Improvement Programme (BRIP), which aims to enhance the ecological functioning of the Berg River, one of the two major water supply sources in the Western Cape, through multi-partner and community interventions that focus on employment creation.
Risk and vulnerability mapping of the rivers: Identifying options for ecosystem-based risk reduction (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
The Smart Agriculture (SmartAgri) for Climate Resilience project is a collaborative project between the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning (DEA&DP), and the University of Cape Town’s African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI), and is aimed at creating sustainable climate smart responses for increased resilience in agriculture. The project will result in a provincial climate change response framework and implementation plan for the agricultural sector.
The Berg River Improvement Programme (BRIP), which aims to enhance the ecological functioning of the Berg River, one of the two major water supply sources in the Western Cape, through multi-partner and community interventions that focus on employment creation.
Risk and vulnerability mapping of the rivers: Identifying options for ecosystem-based risk reduction (Western Cape Government: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning 2014).
The Smart Agriculture (SmartAgri) for Climate Resilience project is a collaborative project between the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning (DEA&DP), and the University of Cape Town’s African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI), and is aimed at creating sustainable climate smart responses for increased resilience in agriculture. The project will result in a provincial climate change response framework and implementation plan for the agricultural sector.
Structures
Institutionalisation and mainstreaming of climate change response into governance structures has been prioritised in the province's climate change response strategy, and includes creating partnerships and ongoing collaborative research. If not already set up through the Western Cape working groups, the strategy identifies that structures will need to be put in place and roles and responsibilities agreed to in order to facilitate the response of all spheres of government as well as those of multiple stakeholders. Various structures and interventions are required in order to achieve the goals of climate change mitigation and adaptation. These include:
- An institutional framework to facilitate (plan, prioritise, implement, monitor and evaluate) the response of all spheres of government;
- The identification of existing responses to climate change mitigation and adaptation by different stakeholders;
- Partnering with NGOs, private sector and others across the province, nationally, regionally and globally;
- Partnering with academia and specialists in the field of climate change in order to stay informed of developments in this novel and rapidly developing field.
According to provincial stakeholders at a climate change workshop on 19 April 2016, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) is the lead climate change department for the Western Cape Province and has four staff dedicated to the climate change portfolio. DEA&DP co-ordinates climate change efforts through two structures in the Western Cape Province:
- Internal Provincial Climate Change Working Group: This working group provides an opportunity to co-ordinate the climate change work of the Provincial Departments.
- Provincial Climate Change Forum: This is a broader forum to which both government and non-governmental stakeholders are invited.
- Stakeholders present at the workshop on 19 April 2016 indicated that climate change capacity should be extended to other provincial departments so that they are in a position to promote climate change implementation efforts in their specific sectors.
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Economic Development and Tourism
- Department of Health
- Department of Human Settlements
- Department of Local Government
- Department of Transport and Public Works
To ensure integration with local government, officials from the DEA&DP participate in local government forums that coordinate efforts in specific sectors. For instance, DEA&DP participates in the Air Quality Forum, the Disaster Management Forum and in SALGA forums. DEA &DP also has a local government Climate Change support programme that aims to provide capacity support to districts so they are in a position to provide climate change support to their local governments.
Some of the current sector specific working groups in the province include:
Some of the current sector specific working groups in the province include:
- Energy Work Group : to ensure sustainable energy systems and move towards a low carbon economy in the Western Cape;
- Climate Change Adaptation Work Group: to reduce vulnerability and increase coping capacity to climate risk within the communities, economy and ecosystems of the Western Cape.
- Sustainable Resource Management Work Group: to implement programmes and projects towards managing our natural resources sustainably, without compromising ecosystem integrity.
- Land-Use Planning Work Group: to ensure coordinated and integrated land use planning throughout the province.
- Green Economy Working Group: focused on promoting the Green Economy in the Western Cape, of which climate change related objectives and projects are a significant focus
- Municipal support forums
Communication of climate change information
At the climate change workshop on the 19 April 2016, provincial stakeholders highlighted that there is a need to improve communication from national departments to provincial departments and suggested that a centralised information exchange platform be developed to provide comprehensive access to existing research and information on climate change. Stakeholders also suggested that opportunities are created for sector based Provincial Departments to share experiences with their counterparts in other provinces.Research
An assessment of the research that is being carried out in the Climate Change and Green Economy sectors has been completed in Western Cape Universities.Climate Change Budget and Finance
The Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy outlines the need for resource mobilisation and the mainstreaming of climate change into the planning and decision-making of government, private sector, and civil society which can be achieved by:- Creating an enabling environment whereby government, private sector and civil society collectively respond to the economic and social changes necessary for climate-resilient development and job creation, providing for the economic and social upliftment of communities, while minimising negative impacts in the future
- Promoting the green economy as an effective means of contributing towards climate change response, and securing resources to support climate change and green economy interventions
- Consolidating and extending existing initiatives towards a climate resilient economy.
The emerging climate change response finance options which have been identified in the Western Cape include: grants for research and development cooperation; commercial finance through debt and equity, concessionary finance, risk insurance, specialised environmental funds, and new capital market innovations, such as green and climate bonds. These options may be extended by integrating financing for biodiversity and other environmental resources, such as payment for ecosystem goods and services.
Some of the funders for climate change adaptation and mitigation projects listed in the Annual Report for Cape Nature (CNAR, 2014), particularly for nature and environment conservation and related programmes include the following:
Some of the funders for climate change adaptation and mitigation projects listed in the Annual Report for Cape Nature (CNAR, 2014), particularly for nature and environment conservation and related programmes include the following:
- Department of Environmental Affairs: Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programmes
- Table Mountain Fund: Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor (GCBC) Small Grants
- Nedbank Green Trust: Catchment management
- National Treasury
- British High Commission
However, according to provincial stakeholders, at a climate change workshop held on the 19 April 2016, the main source of finance for climate change has been from the Western Cape Provincial budget and stakeholders identified the following constraints to accessing additional finance for climate change:
- The application process for funding and the management of funding requires considerable human resources and considering the limited staff available applications for funding are often not practical or possible.
- Many funds require co-financing which is often not possible to secure.
- No funds to upscale successful pilot projects.
This website is a work in progress and is constantly updated as new information becomes available
|