Exploring ecosystem-based adaptation in Durban, South Africa: “learning-by-doing” at the local government coal face

Abstract

The lack of progress in establishing ambitious and legally binding global mitigation targets means that the need for locally based climate change adaptation will increase in vulnerable localities such as Africa. Within this context, "ecosystem-based adaptation" (EBA) is being promoted as a cost-effective and sustainable approach to improving adaptive capacity. Experience with the ongoing development of Durban's Municipal Climate Protection Programme indicates that achieving EBA in cities means moving beyond the conceptualization of a uniform, one-size-fits-all layer of street trees and parks to a more detailed understanding of the complex ecology of indigenous ecosystems and their resilience under climate change conditions. It also means engaging with the role that this "bio-infrastructure" plays in improving the quality of life and socioeconomic opportunities of the most vulnerable human communities. Despite the long-term sustainability gains of this approach, implementation in Durban has been shown to be both technically challenging and resource intensive. The close association between human and ecological systems in addressing climate change adaptation has also led to the development of the concept of "community ecosystem-based adaptation".KEYWORDS bio-infrastructure / community ecosystem-based adaptation / Durban / ecosystem-based adaptation / green economy / local government

Climate change impacts and adaptation in South Africa

“…116,123,127,128 The innovative work in some of the large cities in South Africa showcases how adaptation as a process has been prioritized. 116 Although there is recognition of climate change by many smaller municipalities the evidence for action is limited.…”

Nodes and networks in the governance of ecosystem-based adaptation: the case of the Bergrivier municipality, South Africa

“…The lack of funds and Bin-house^human resources (a common barrier to adaptation; e.g., Ziervogel and Parnell 2014;Moser and Ekstrom 2010;Roberts et al 2012) seems to have led the study organizations to focus on building links to other organizations. Such links can drive cooperation, an important precursor to collaborative governance.…”

“…The importance of EbA in the climate adaptation field is increasingly recognized, given the central role of natural resources and ecosystem services to support livelihoods and economies (Vignola et al 2009). Promoted as a cost-effective, no-regret option offering multiple social, economic, and environmental co-benefits (e.g., Campos et al 2014), EbA presents a range of opportunities for community-based initiatives and socio-economic development, the latter achieved through the generation of co-benefits such as food security, water purification, or the creation of Bgreen jobs^ (Roberts et al 2012). Thus, an EbA approach can contribute to broader development goals and help to balance immediate development priorities with longer-term climate planning (Burch et al 2014).…”

The concept of ecosystem services in adaptive urban planning and design: A framework for supporting innovation

“…Roberts et al (2011) discussed "community ecosystembased adaptation" (CEBA) as part of a general strategy assisting urban residents to adapt to the negative aspects of climate change, amongst other aspects by management, restoration and conservation of ecosystem services, as a good example of "learning by doing". This is also the core message of this essay.…”