Climate governance in South Africa: challenges, risks and opportunities

This mini-dissertation examines the state of climate governance in three diverse South African municipalities, namely the City of Cape Town, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality (Durban), and Amathole District Municipality. Using a qualitative literature review research approach, this study examines the barriers, potential benefits, and risks associated with inadequate climate adaptation and mitigation at the local government level. The research investigates local governments' responses to climate change through their planning, policies, and implementation. The study reveals significant gaps in governance, including institutional fragmentation, deficits in financial and technical capacity, weak public engagement, and a lack of policy direction. Yet, it also identifies opportunities, including increased intergovernmental collaboration, community-based adaptation, and the mainstreaming of climate strategies (including indigenous knowledge) into municipal development planning. The study also addresses the risks of climate-induced disasters, socio-economic inequalities, and infrastructural vulnerabilities. The results show that climate governance in the city municipalities of Cape Town and eThekwini has been improving but is not adequate yet, especially in rural and low-resourced districts like Amathole. The study concludes by providing practical recommendations for the development of adaptive capacity, policy coherence, and participatory governance, with the intention of enhancing overall resilience. At a more fundamental level, however, the study aims to untangle the complexity of South African climate governance with a view to clarifying the development of more efficient and just climate policies.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Pretoria

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Africa, Sandy

• UCTD
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Climate
• Governance
• Policy
• Government
• Local

Statement dc:rights

• © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

Disclaimer Letter

Dc Identifier Other

April 2026 (A2026)

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107819