South Africa: Model Community Climate Mitigation Programs

The Province of KwaZulu-Natal

The highly populated province of KwaZulu-Natal has challenges such as water scarcity, inadequate river catchment and pollution from informal settlements. Due to the urgency of addressing these issues, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) stepped up and initiated the Transformative Riverine Management Program (TRMP). The main aim of this program is to rehabilitate and manage riverine corridors sustainably. The emphasis is on climate adaptation and resilience, as shown by their innovative approach to riverine governance.  The project empowers the local community by generating employment, training, and skill development and creating opportunities for marginalized communities.

The TRMP program was rolled out in Endumeni, KwaDukuza, and Ugu District municipalities between 2022 and 2023, employing an estimated 1,186 local workers. The program aided in reducing 109 tonnes of waste, and 98 hectares were freed of invasive alien flora species. The program highlighted the importance of education, awareness, and training in building a climate-adaptive river and implementing sound  environmental management. The program has also established localized recycling centres to avoid waste being used as landfills and enhance environmental conservation. The TRMP program focuses on the most vulnerable river catchments and regions at risk of natural disasters. TRMP was implemented by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) in partnership with Regions4- a global NGO that is promoting resilience building and sustainable practices among regions across the world in a bid to put people and nature at heart climate change adaptation.

Organizations, such as government agencies, private businesses, or NGOs that are actively involved in mitigating climate change.

  1. KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) – Nhlakanipho Nkotwana, Head of Department, Nkontwana@kznedtea.gov.za
  2. Regions4 – info@regions4.org

This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard South Africa Country Manager Rugare Zhou.

Learn More References

https://climatechampions.unfccc.int/kwazulu-natals-innovative-approach-to-climate-adaptation/

https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/be-resilient-south-africa-project

National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act: Methodological Guidelines of Quantification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 7 October 2022. No. 47257

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