A new report “Finance for adaptation at the level of local government in South Africa” has just been published, written by Samantha Keen, Elin Lorimer and Katharine Vincent. The report was produced for the “Strengthen National Climate Policy Implementation: Comparative Empirical Learning & Creating Linkage to Climate Finance” project, and is one of several country studies.
The report presents mixed method research to assess the priorities, resource needs and current resource flows for adaptation in South Africa, and the nature of current gaps and barriers to access at subnational level. It finds that the adaptation finance gap in South Africa is particularly pronounced at subnational level, and risks attainment of national adaptation commitments. Closing this gap requires tapping an array of climate finance sources, both national and international. However access differs between municipalities, reflecting different revenue raising and financial management capacities. Ensuring that vulnerability assessments have been conducted and that adaptation plans exist is important. Multilateral climate funds can support the process by better aligning their requirements with local realities.