This summer's fires in the Western Cape and floods in Mpumalanga and Limpopo highlight South Africa's vulnerability to climate change. The events have prompted calls for immediate action in adaptation, mitigation, and global engagement. Experts warn that delays will lock in more damage as global temperatures exceed safe limits.
South Africa has experienced a series of extreme weather events this summer, underscoring the urgent need for climate action. In the Western Cape, widespread and intense fires led the provincial government to call for a state of disaster declaration. Meanwhile, heavy flooding from a tropical weather system in Limpopo and Mpumalanga forced the closure of Kruger National Park, a major tourism asset.
These incidents compound ongoing challenges, including a prolonged drought in the Karoo region and the looming threat of a Day Zero water crisis in Cape Town and other Western Cape areas. The economic toll is significant, with billions of rand in damages to infrastructure, lost revenue, and disrupted livelihoods in sectors like construction, transport, and agriculture. Most losses remain uninsured, and insurance costs are rising in vulnerable areas.
Globally, the World Meteorological Organization reported that average temperatures over the past three years have exceeded the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, despite a cooling La Niña influence. South Africa, with per-capita emissions above the global average, faces projections of longer droughts in the west and more intense rains in the east.
Opportunities for progress include engaging in a coalition on transitioning away from fossil fuels, following South Africa's November decision to decline an invitation. Colombia plans a conference in April on this topic. Domestically, the Climate Change Act of 2024 requires a national adaptation plan, though it has not fully commenced, risking implementation delays. The Department of Electricity and Energy is developing an Integrated Energy Plan, critical as the energy sector accounts for nearly 80% of emissions.
A study by the University of Cape Town for WWF South Africa shows that net zero CO₂ emissions by mid-century are feasible, supporting job growth and development. The newly appointed Presidential Climate Commission, announced in December, will guide policy toward resilience. As James Reeler, Senior Climate Specialist with WWF South Africa, notes, 'With fire, floods and drought all at our doorstep the chaotic implications of a more dynamic climate future are becoming clear to all.'
