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Climate change impacts and adaptation in South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Gina Ziervogel
  • Mark New
  • Emma Archer van Garderen
  • Guy Midgley
  • Anna Taylor
  • Ralph Hamann
  • Sabine Stuart‐Hill
  • Jonny Myers
  • Michele Warburton

Abstract

In this paper we review current approaches and recent advances in research on climate impacts and adaptation in South Africa. South Africa has a well‐developed earth system science research program that underpins the climate change scenarios developed for the southern African region. Established research on the biophysical impacts of climate change on key sectors (water, agriculture, and biodiversity) integrates the climate change scenarios but further research is needed in a number of areas, such as the climate impacts on cities and the built environment. National government has developed a National Climate Change Response White Paper, but this has yet to translate into policy that mainstreams adaptation in everyday practice and longer‐term planning in all spheres and levels of government. A national process to scope long‐term adaptation scenarios is underway, focusing on cross‐sectoral linkages in adaptation responses at a national level. Adaptation responses are emerging in certain sectors. Some notable city‐scale and project‐based adaptation responses have been implemented, but institutional challenges persist. In addition, a number of knowledge gaps remain in relation to the biophysical and socio‐economic impacts of climate change. A particular need is to develop South Africa's capacity to undertake integrated assessments of climate change that can support climate‐resilient development planning. WIREs Clim Change 2014, 5:605–620. doi: 10.1002/wcc.295 This article is categorized under: Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > National Reviews

Suggested Citation

  • Gina Ziervogel & Mark New & Emma Archer van Garderen & Guy Midgley & Anna Taylor & Ralph Hamann & Sabine Stuart‐Hill & Jonny Myers & Michele Warburton, 2014. "Climate change impacts and adaptation in South Africa," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 5(5), pages 605-620, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:wirecc:v:5:y:2014:i:5:p:605-620
    DOI: 10.1002/wcc.295
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    1. Sindisiwe Nyide & Mulala Danny Simatele & Stefan Grab & Richard Kwame Adom, 2023. "Assessment of the Dynamics towards Effective and Efficient Post-Flood Disaster Adaptive Capacity and Resilience in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-25, August.
    2. Chunhua Yan & Yajuan Luo, 2024. "Local Government-Led Climate Governance and Social Inclusion: The Case Study of J County in China," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 12.
    3. Clark, V. Ralph & Vidal, João de Deus & Grundy, Isla M. & Fakarayi, Togarasei & Childes, Susan L. & Barker, Nigel P. & Linder, H. Peter, 2019. "Bridging the divide between intuitive social-ecological value and sustainability in the Manica Highlands of southern Africa (Zimbabwe-Mozambique)," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    4. Thinda, K.T. & Ogundeji, A.A. & Belle, J.A. & Ojo, T.O., 2020. "Understanding the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers: Evidence from land reform beneficiaries in South Africa," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    5. Amy E. Peden & Adrian Mayhew & Shayne D. Baker & Mziwoxolo Mayedwa & Colleen J. Saunders, 2023. "Exploring Flood Response Challenges, Training Needs, and the Impact of Online Flood Training for Lifeguards and Water Safety Professionals in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-13, August.
    6. Myo Myo Khine & Uma Langkulsen, 2023. "The Implications of Climate Change on Health among Vulnerable Populations in South Africa: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-19, February.
    7. Agnieszka Mazurek-Czarnecka & Ksymena Rosiek & Marcin Salamaga & Krzysztof Wąsowicz & Renata Żaba-Nieroda, 2022. "Study on Support Mechanisms for Renewable Energy Sources in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-38, June.
    8. Lungile S. Gidi & Lelethu Mdoda & Zoleka Ncoyini-Manciya & Lwandiso Mdiya, 2024. "Climate Change and Small-Scale Agriculture in the Eastern Cape Province: Investigating the Nexus of Awareness, Adaptation, and Food Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-32, November.
    9. Nicholas Ngepah & Regina Conselho Mwiinga, 2022. "The Impact of Climate Change on Gender Inequality in the Labour Market: A Case Study of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-28, October.
    10. Emmanuel Lekakis & Athanasios Zaikos & Alexios Polychronidis & Christos Efthimiou & Ioannis Pourikas & Theano Mamouka, 2022. "Evaluation of Different Modelling Techniques with Fusion of Satellite, Soil and Agro-Meteorological Data for the Assessment of Durum Wheat Yield under a Large Scale Application," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, October.
    11. Dennis Junior Choruma & Frank Chukwuzuoke Akamagwuna & Nelson Oghenekaro Odume, 2022. "Simulating the Impacts of Climate Change on Maize Yields Using EPIC: A Case Study in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-24, May.

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