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IOL News
6 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Green Climate Fund awards R700 million to South Africa for climate disaster resilience
Damages caused by the April 2024 flash flood in Margate on the KZN South Coast. Image: Johan Steyn MILLIONS of vulnerable South Africans stand to benefit after the country secured a multimillion-rand grant for eco-friendly disaster risk management. It comes as the country grapples with changing weather patterns and the effects of climate change, which have caused widespread devastation and loss of life. This week the Green Climate Fund (GCF) approved a grant of just over USD 40 million (around R700 million) during its 42nd Board meeting, currently underway in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The funding will support the South African National Biodiversity Institute's (SANBI) Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco DRR) project, which will be rolled out over the next eight years. SANBI described the grant as a 'landmark investment' for the implementation of its initiative, officially titled; Scaling up ecosystem-based approaches to managing climate intensified disaster risks in vulnerable regions of South Africa, or simply the Eco DRR project. 'The role of biodiversity in South Africa's response to climate change is at the heart of this project,' said SANBI CEO Shonisani Munzhedzi. 'Healthy ecosystems act as natural buffers against climate extremes, protecting lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods. This project represents a major step forward in climate adaptation financing for South Africa.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Munzhedzi noted that SANBI's accreditation as a Direct Access Entity of the GCF since 2016 has enabled it to unlock international climate finance, while advancing national priorities and building institutional capacity. To date, SANBI and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) remain the only South African institutions accredited by the GCF. The organisation said the eight-year project is expected to have a 20-year impact in the communities where it will be implemented. It is projected to directly benefit around 366,000 people and reach over 5.1 million South Africans indirectly—especially those living in areas hardest hit by floods, droughts, and wildfires. Dion George, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said that, 'The increasing frequency of floods, droughts and wildfires pose a serious threat to South Africa's communities, especially those in rural and peri-urban areas.' "This investment will support our efforts to strengthen ecological infrastructure, reduce disaster risk, and build adaptive capacity where it is needed most.'' George said the GCF's approval was a 'monumental achievement for South Africa and a testament to SANBI's expertise as a Direct Access Entity to the GCF.' 'The Eco DRR project will empower millions of our citizens, ensuring that we build a resilient future where nature and communities thrive together,' he said. He added that by harnessing the power of ecosystems, the project would not only help reduce disaster risks but also promote inclusive growth and environmental stewardship. 'It is a beacon of hope for a greener, stronger South Africa,' he said.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
North Africa: Green Climate Fund approves a record $300 million for Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)-designed projects in Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia and the Sahel
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved projects worth more than $300 million that will protect forests in Papua New Guinea, promote sustainable fisheries in Saint Lucia, and help grow Africa's Great Green Wall. The initiatives, designed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), were greenlighted at the 42nd meeting of the GCF Board, held in the Papua New Guinea capital from June 30 to July 3. It represents the highest-value batch of such approvals to date. 'Through sustainable forestry management, fisheries transformation and land restoration, these FAO-designed projects will make a significant difference to the lives and livelihood of these vulnerable communities, especially in the current global context of overlapping and complex crises due to climate extremes and other shocks,' said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. 'FAO appreciates the unwavering trust that the GCF and Member Countries place in FAO's professional capacity to provide the required technical expertise to strengthen resilience and safeguard the livelihoods of the most vulnerable,' he added. 'The FAO-GCF partnership continues to be critical for the climate investments in agrifood systems required to deliver science-based concrete solutions to countries and communities where they are needed most, leaving no one behind.' All three approvals were outcomes of successful FAO-led GCF readiness projects, as well as other long-standing technical collaborations, which unlocked the resources countries needed to pursue more ambitious climate projects. Papua New Guinea FAO has supported the country to design a high-impact climate project, within the framework of GCF's pilot programme for results-based payments, that will direct investments worth $63.4 million into Papua New Guinea's sustainable forest management activities. This substantial GCF investment recognizes the Government's achievements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) during the 2014-2016 period – comparable to taking over 3 million cars off the road for a year. Funding for the project falls under the initiative known as REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation), and will support the Government's efforts to conserve forests and implement the National REDD+ Strategy 2017–2027. Papua New Guinea has been an advocate for the REDD+ global process since its very inception in 2008. The country has kept forest conservation and reducing emissions from the forest sector high on the national and global agenda including through support from FAO and the UN-REDD programme. The investments seek to promote a virtuous cycle of emission reductions by promoting agroforestry, sustainable fuelwood and charcoal production, community pole and timber plantations, the restoration of natural forest, and more. The project will place special emphasis on the social dimension, prompting benefit sharing, encouraging stakeholder engagement, and strengthening both local and national capacities. Papua New Guinea's tropical rainforests – of which three-quarters are primary forests – cover 78 percent of the country's land, making it a global biodiversity hotspot. The forests are home to 191 species of mammals, and 750 species of bird. They also serve as vital carbon sinks, storing large amounts of carbon in above-ground biomass and soil. Saint Lucia The FISH-ADAPT project in Saint Lucia, with an investment of $16.7 million, has been designed to reduce the risks that climate change poses to the fishing and aquaculture sectors in this Small Island Developing State located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The project aims to transform Saint Lucia's fisheries sector by making fishing safer and more productive despite a changing climate. It will foster a circular economy to help reduce waste, enhance resource efficiency, and promote livelihood diversification for more resilient communities. Fish value chains and markets will be strengthened; coastal fish grounds and aquaculture systems will become more climate resilient; and fishers will have more diversified incomes. The initiative will put in place agrifood solutions that build sustainability and resilience to improve efficiency, safety and productivity in the fisheries sector. These include empowering fishers and aquaculture farmers by enhancing access to weather data, upgrading landing sites and promoting sustainable offshore fishing. Saint Lucia's geographic position and socio-economic dependence on the fisheries sector make it especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Fisherfolk who rely on the sea for their livelihoods are finding it increasingly difficult to adapt to a changing climate and declining fish stocks. Increased air temperature and changing rainfall patterns have also been affecting inland aquaculture. Considering these challenges, FISH-ADAPT will target approximately 75,000 beneficiaries – about 41 percent of the population – including marine fishers, sea-moss farmers, fish vendors and processors, and inland aquaculture farmers. The Sahel The Scaling-Up Resilience in Africa's Great Green Wall (SURAGGWA), with an investment of $222 million, will support livelihoods of agropastoral and pastoral communities living in the Sahel's semi-arid regions, who are extremely vulnerable to climate change. The initiative is FAO's first multi-country proposal and the largest funding request ever submitted on behalf of its Member Countries. It builds on the extensive work done by FAO on the Great Green Wall initiative, in particular the Action Against Desertification Programme. The initiative will seek to scale up successful land restoration practices using a diversity of native species to increase livelihood resilience while also sequestering carbon. It will develop value chains for climate-resilient and low-emission non-timber forest products, supporting the livelihoods and food security of vulnerable communities. Another key aspect of the project will be to strengthen national and regional Great Green Wall institutions to ensure the sustainability and coordination of interventions and monitoring of restoration results as well as mobilizing additional resources including through climate change adaptation and mitigation financing mechanisms. The SURAGGWA Programme will advance the African Union's ambitions to transform Sahelian landscapes by restoring 100 million hectares of degraded land and creating 10 million jobs. Working with smallholder farmers and pastoralist communities, it will also build resilience and contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration in restored lands across the eight participating countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal). A quarter of the 100 million people who live in the Sahel rely on pastoralist livelihoods. Poverty, social tensions, and climate change put additional strain on herders and farmers who already compete for limited resources and land. Agriculture, livestock and forestry activities are the foundation of their economies and more than 70 per cent of rural communities depend directly on rainfed agriculture. The FAO–GCF partnership The new approvals raise FAO's GCF portfolio to over $1.8 billion, with climate investments delivering sustainable agrifood system solutions to the countries and communities where they are needed most. You can read more about FAO's partnership with GCF here. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
IOL News
a day ago
- General
- IOL News
South Africa's Eco-DRR Project: a R700 million initiative to combat Climate Change
The recent deaths in the Eastern Cape floods is exactly what this innovative initiative hopes to avoid. It is expected to directly benefit approximately 366,000 people with a further reach of more than 5.1 million South Africans, particularly those residing in areas prone to devastating floods, prolonged droughts, and rampant wildfires. South Africa is poised to make significant strides in combating climate change, thanks to a landmark grant of R700 million (USD 40.1 million) from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This financial boost will facilitate the launch of the 'Scaling up ecosystem-based approaches to managing climate intensified disaster risks in vulnerable regions of South Africa' project, better known as the Eco-DRR project. Approved by the GCF Board during its recent meeting in Papua New Guinea on 1 July 2025, the Eco-DRR project is set to span eight years with an extensive 20-year impact projected on local communities. This innovative initiative is expected to directly benefit approximately 366,000 individuals, with a further reach of more than 5.1 million South Africans, particularly those residing in areas prone to devastating floods, prolonged droughts, and rampant wildfires. 'The increasing frequency of floods, droughts, and wildfires poses a serious threat to South Africa's communities, especially those in rural and peri-urban areas,' said Dion George, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. He added that this investment will bolster ecological infrastructure, mitigate disaster risks, and enhance adaptive capacities where they are most crucial. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) will spearhead the execution of the Eco-DRR project, collaborating with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), and four climate-vulnerable District Municipalities across the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West provinces. Insights derived from the project are anticipated to inform broader climate change adaptation responses throughout the nation. This investment seeks to deliver far-reaching advantages, particularly to communities facing the harsh realities of climate change impacts. By focusing on the restoration and protection of vital ecosystems, such as wetlands, forests, and catchments, the project will substantially reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events, enhance water security, and promote sustainable livelihoods anchored in nature. Another critical aspect of the Eco-DRR project is its commitment to empowering local governments and communities through training and resources necessary for effective disaster preparedness and climate adaptation. 'The role of biodiversity in South Africa's response to climate change is at the heart of this project," remarked Shonisani Munzhedzi, CEO of SANBI. 'Healthy ecosystems act as natural buffers against climate extremes, protecting lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods. This project marks a significant advancement in climate adaptation financing for South Africa.' SANBI's accreditation as a Direct Access Entity of the Green Climate Fund since 2016 puts the institute in a strategic position to harness global climate finance effectively. This facilitates an alignment of resources with local priorities and needs, thereby strengthening institutional capabilities and ensuring the climate adaptation agenda is driven by South Africans, for South Africans. The Eco-DRR project is part of SANBI's broader climate adaptation portfolio and aligns directly with the GCF's Targeted Results for 2024-2027, focusing on ecosystems and food systems. This initiative promotes integrated, locally driven, and gender-responsive development, paving the way for a resilient, climate-adaptive future for South Africa. Furthermore, its implementation supports the Climate Change Act, addressing the urgent need for action in the face of escalating climate challenges.
The South African
13-06-2025
- Climate
- The South African
Cyril Ramaphosa blames climate change for 'catastrophic' Eastern Cape floods
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with survivors of devastating floods that killed at least 78 people in the Eastern Cape, blaming the 'catastrophic disaster' on climate change. Ramaphosa toured the disaster zone and met with survivors in the region, where thousands of houses, roads, schools and health facilities were left caked in mud after being completely submerged in floodwaters, leaving many people with nothing in one of the poorest parts of the country. Rescuers were going door to door searching for bodies or possible survivors, as people got stuck inside their homes when the water rushed in during the night. Some managed to escape to their roofs, where they waited long hours for help. Ramaphosa visited the site where a school bus was swept away, killing at least six children and three adults. Four of the children were still missing. He also spoke with a woman who lost her mother and at least two of her young nephews. The woman was sobbing as the president listened to her story. 'This is a catastrophic disaster which is caused by climate change,' said Ramaphosa, who estimated the flood waters had reached more than four metres (13 feet) high. 'During winter, we expect cold as well as snow here in the Eastern Cape. Now that we are confronting floods, this goes to show the severity of the issue of climate change.' Snow and heavy rainfall are common during winter in South Africa, but coastal parts of the country were hit by 'unprecedented' weather conditions, Ramaphosa said. According to the Green Climate Fund, the country is highly vulnerable to the impact of climate variability and change, which increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather. The death toll from the floods, which officials said stood at 78 on Thursday, could still rise. Earlier on Friday, bodies were still being retrieved from a nearby river. The area worst hit by the floods and subsequent landslides was the city of Mthatha. The city is near the village of Qunu, birthplace of Nelson Mandela, the late anti-apartheid hero and former president. The South African Red Cross Society, which sent aid to the Mthatha area, told AFP at least 3 500 households had been affected, with many people sheltering in community halls. AFP journalists saw a rescue team pull four bodies, some of them children, from a one-roomed house in the late afternoon. The surrounding area was strewn with debris and locals sobbed as they watched the recovery. 'When we came out of the house, the water was above the knee, all the furniture inside was floating,' Sopiseka, a survivor, told AFP. Ali Sablay, a spokesperson for disaster response charity the Gift of the Givers Foundation, said the number of people requiring assistance could increase 'dramatically'. 'The homes are fragile, they can collapse anytime. Food is contaminated, so people need to be evacuated,' said Sablay. At least 20 health facilities and 58 schools were damaged in the Eastern Cape, according to local authorities. Post your condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
eNCA
11-06-2025
- Climate
- eNCA
Death toll in Eastern Cape floods rises to 49
MTHATHA, Eastern Cape - The death toll from flooding in the Eastern Cape has risen to 49, including four children on a school bus that was swept away, a provincial governor said Wednesday. Heavy rainfall, snow and cold winds have particularly affected areas of the Eastern Cape province, with most of the country experiencing brutal winter weather conditions since last week. "As of now, the stats have escalated to 49 deaths," Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane told reporters, citing police figures. The dead included four children on a school minibus bus carrying 13 people that was swept away by a flood near the city of Mthatha, Mabuyane said. "Sadly, four of those learners have been confirmed to be deceased, together with the driver and the conductor of the minibus taxi," he said. "Four learners are still missing and are still being looked for." Three others had been found alive, he said. Mabuyane did not give details of the other victims of the severe winter storm and said the situation was evolving. "Search and recovery operations are continuing across all affected areas," he said. The torrential rains over recent days, which also caused landslides, had forced hundreds of families to leave their homes and "significant damage on critical infrastructures", he said. On Tuesday, three children were rescued after spending hours in trees to escape rising waters, authorities said. Lack of resources Several hundred people had been displaced since Monday, mainly from OR Tambo and Amathole districts, with some moved to schools and town halls. Mabuyane told public broadcaster SABC News earlier that only one helicopter was available in the province. "We need more resources," he said. "We have never experienced disasters like this but now it's inevitable with climate change and global warming." President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that harsh winter conditions "remain life-threatening" adding that emergency services, including support from the National Disaster Management Centre, were "giving the requisite attention to crises as they unfold". He called on South Africans "to display caution, care and cooperation as the worst impacts of winter weather take effect". South Africa's national weather service has warned that severe and extreme winter weather conditions would persist until at least the middle of this week. Snow and heavy rainfall are common during winter in South Africa but the country is also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability and change, which increases the frequency and severity of drought, floods and wildfires, according to the Green Climate Fund.
