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Management of Climate Risks in the Western Cape Region of South Africa
Summary:
The following case study is featured in the Meister Consultants Group study: *Floating Houses and Mosquito Nets: Emerging Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Around the World*.
South Africa faces serious challenges associated with climate change. Water scarcity is already very high on the political agenda, and climate change will further aggravate the water situation. Other important challenges include health effects. Biodiversity loss will be especially economically important, given some of the country’s unique natural habitats and their relevance to the tourism industry. South Africa is better prepared to deal with the consequences of climate change than many other African countries because of the availability of more reliable climate data and projections than other African states. Since 2004, South Africa has had a national climate strategy that addresses the need for adaptation. A more detailed adaptation policy is currently under preparation and is expected to be released in 2010.
_Source: Dr. Hans-Peter Meister, I. K., Martina Richwein, Wilson Rickerson, Chad Laurent. Additional contributors: Jeff Snell, Elisa Burchert, Florian Lux. (2009). *Floating Houses and Mosquito Nets: Emerging Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Around the World.* Boston: Meister Consultants Group. p. 20._
For more detailed information and references refer to: [Floating Houses - Full Report](http://files.mc-group.com/clst/Study%20Climate%20Change%20Adaption.pdf).
[Meister Consultants Group](http://www.mc-group.com/)
Adaptation Experience:
The Western Cape is of great importance for South Africa. Due to its Mediterranean climate and its rich biodiversity, it attracts many tourists and is also an important region for the cultivation of wine and fruits. Water demand for agriculture and an increasingly urban population has increased in recent years. At the same time, the region is particularly affected by extreme weather events. A drier and warmer climate with changing precipitation patterns will cause water scarcity and droughts, and will increase the risk of bush fires. According to a study by the University of the Free State, agricultural production declined by 30 percent during the drought of 2004/2005. Water demand is expected to rise by 45 percent by the year 2020, and it is unclear where 20 percent of that increase will come from.
The provincial government is very active in the field of adaptation. In 2005, it published an evaluation of the impacts of climate change in the region. Additionally, the provincial government, along with the city government of Cape Town, launched numerous initiatives, workshops, and research programs. In 2007, a study was presented that discusses an umbrella organization for municipal adaptation plans. In the same year, the province published the draft of an adaptation strategy with an action plan, defining priorities and concrete guidelines for action.
_Source: Study of the University of the Free State written within the framework of the program “Climate Change Adaptation in
Africa”: http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/
Mukheibir, P & Ziervogel, G (2007), Developing a Municipal Adaptation Plan (MAP) for climate change: the city of Cape Town, in: Environment & Urbanization. 19 (1), S. 143-158. April 2007.
Status Quo, Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment of the Physical and Socio-Economic Effects of Climate Change in the Western Cape, 2005.
The Provincial Government of the Western Cape, Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning: http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/your_gov/406_
Results and Learning:
Information not available yet.
Sustainability:
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Replication:
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