WESTERN CAPE CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE STRATEGY (2014)

1. WESTERN CAPE CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE STRATEGY (2014) Breakfast Launch • Helen Davies • 24 February 2014

2. Overview of the Presentation 2003 - 2008 direct damage costs associated with climate related extreme events in the WC = approx R 3.16 billion 2009/10 Eden District drought damage est. = R300 million 2011 Eden District floods est. = R350 million 2012 floods est. = R500 million Poor communities - most vulnerable Go to Insert > Header & Footer > Enter presentation name into footer field

3. Carbon pricing will impact WC dramatically. E.g. R100 / ton carbon tax introduced in Europe will add R0.22 to the cost of 1kg of fruit from Overberg. Same tax would add R0.09 to 1kg of fruit from Chile. (Green is Smart 2013) Go to Insert > Header & Footer > Enter presentation name into footer field

4. Addressing Climate Change Can Provide Opportunities Go to Insert > Header & Footer > Enter presentation name into footer field

5. Context: Climate Change Projections for the WC Increased mean annual temperatures • Higher maximum temperatures, more hot days and more heat waves Higher minimum temperatures, fewer cold days and frost days Increased mean sea level and associated storm surges Intensification of rainfall events General drying trend in western part of the country

6. Key Changes to the 2008 Strategy • Alignment with the National Climate Change Response Policy (NCCRP) • Better balanced (adaptation & mitigation) and better integrated with other key strategies, policies etc. • Alignment with the PSOs, adaptation and mitigation programmes and promoting transversal climate change responses • Simplified to facilitate easier implementation

7. 3 Components to the Strategy Strategy document (current) • Implementation Framework (under development in 2013/14) • M&E Framework (2014/15)

8. Two Key Objectives Significantly reduce GHG & build sustainable low carbon economy – addressing economic growth, job creation & improved socio economic conditions Reduce climate vulnerability / develop adaptive capacity of WC economy, society and ecosystems Adaptation Mitigation Reduce risks and capitalise on opportunities

9. Overall Approach to Mitigation • Focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transport • Defining baselines - WC Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions Database & energy base-lining for WCG Buildings • Identifying Long-Term Mitigation Scenarios (LTMS) to direct action • Sustainable Energy Plan Development, Integrated Energy Strategy & Sustainable Energy projects database • Identifying economic/ financial instruments to support above • Understanding socio-economic risks and opportunities around climate change mitigation

10. Overall Approach to Adaptation • Dealing with Complexity and Uncertainty • Institutionalisation and mainstreaming of climate change response • WCG: aligning sector specific strategies & plans (e.g. Green Economy, Infrastructure Framework, Health Plan) & develop sector plans where required (e.g. Agriculture) • District & local municipalities – CCT, MSP, knowledge networks and partnerships, decision support and access to expertise, co-ordinate report to national departments • Research • Monitor changing conditions • Innovate – technical and social responses • Understanding emergent conditions created as a result of climate change • Innovative ways of financing climate change adaptation at the local level • Adaptation projects database to track progress and guide action

11. Strategy Focus Areas • Energy efficiency & demand side management • Renewable energy • Built environment • Critical infrastructure • Waste minimisation & management • Human settlements • Sustainable transport • Water security & efficiency • Biodiversity & Ecosystem Goods & Services • Coastal & Estuary Management • Food security • Healthy Communities Communication & awareness raising Job creation Finance • => Scaling up of existing & development of new programmes • => Aligned with national flagships & green economy strategy drivers & enablers

12. Implementation Framework Partnerships

13. What will it cost? • Stern Review – Economics of Climate Change (2006): • No action: overall costs and risks of climate change = to losing at least 5% of global GDP each year, now and forever. • Considering wider range of risks and impacts estimates of damage up to 20% of GDP or more.” • Costs of action – reducing GHG emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change –around 1% of global GDP each year

14. Key take home messages • Our poorer communities and economies are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change • Climate change is not a separate priority or agenda, competing with other priorities within the province, but instead needs to be mainstreamed into all priority (and other) agendas of the WC • Any delays in considering climate change in decision making increase the likelihood of locking us into costly and inappropriate planning and infrastructure development • Irresponsible NOT to address climate change

16. Helen Davies • Director: Climate Change and Biodiversity • +27 (0)21 483 5126 • +27 (0)21 483 4440 • helen.davies@westerncape.gov.za