• Climate Change

Pioneering Climate Action Through Collaborative Governance and Green Initiatives

Gauteng Province, South Africa’s economic powerhouse and home to nearly 50 million people, is setting a bold example for climate action by embracing multilevel governance and collaborative strategies. Faced with growing climate risks such as heatwaves, intense rainfall, and drought, Gauteng recognizes that effective solutions require coordination across local, provincial, national, and global levels. By leveraging partnerships with diverse stakeholders, Gauteng is positioning itself as a leader in climate resilience and sustainability, aligning its efforts with global initiatives while addressing the unique challenges faced by its communities. 

Multilevel Collaboration: The Backbone of Gauteng’s Climate Strategy 

Gauteng’s climate response is deeply intertwined with South Africa’s national priorities, reflecting a broader commitment to tackling climate change through inclusive governance. Collaborative platforms such as the Climate Change Adaptation Technical Working Group ensure that efforts across national, provincial, and local levels are aligned. This intersectoral framework, involving research institutions, private sector players, and public authorities, has helped shape South Africa’s National Adaptation Strategy and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), creating a cohesive national response to climate change. 

At the provincial level, the Gauteng City Region’s Over-Arching Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan, approved in 2020, serves as the cornerstone of the province’s efforts. This plan aligns with the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Climate Change Bill, addressing key sectors such as agriculture, water, disaster risk reduction, energy, industry, transport, and health. The strategy outlines 11 targeted response programs, each detailing responsible stakeholders, measurable targets, and funding sources. 

A key component of this strategy is the implementation of water security measures, focusing on Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and Ecologically based Adaptation (EbA) techniques to manage stormwater and mitigate flooding at both provincial and municipal levels. These initiatives demonstrate the province’s commitment to addressing climate vulnerabilities while enhancing resilience across all sectors. 

Driving Climate Action Through Knowledge Sharing  

Gauteng’s climate governance structure includes platforms for continuous learning, progress monitoring, and stakeholder engagement. The quarterly Gauteng Climate Change Forum brings together provincial officials, municipal representatives, research institutions, and the private sector to ensure a collective, coordinated approach to climate action. Additionally, the annual Provincial Climate Change Indaba serves as a venue for knowledge exchange, where officials and private stakeholders collaborate on assessing progress and refining strategies. 

In line with this commitment to inclusive climate action, Gauteng has launched several educational initiatives. One standout program is the Climate Change School Awareness Program, which emphasizes climate literacy in disadvantaged schools. Launched in 2017 and expanded in 2023, the program reached 845 participants in 29 schools, planting 290 trees and empowering educators through accredited workshops. The program equips participants, especially in high-risk areas, with the tools to understand climate change, foster sustainability, and contribute to their schools’ alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. 

Greening Gauteng: The 1 Million Tree Program 

Further showcasing its dedication to environmental stewardship, Gauteng has embarked on an ambitious 1 Million Tree Program, a critical component of the province’s broader climate resilience and food security strategy. Focused on addressing environmental degradation and improving living conditions in historically disadvantaged areas, this initiative involves planting 400,000 indigenous trees in townships, informal settlements, and hostel areas—often referred to as “brown areas” due to insufficient tree coverage. 

Not only does this initiative sequester carbon and reduce pollution, but it also contributes to food security by planting 600,000 fruit trees, providing sustainable food sources at the household level. This program is a provincial contribution to South Africa’s national goal of planting 10 million trees in five years, part of the Global Peace 75 Million Trees Campaign. Launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Durban in 2019, this campaign highlights the global urgency for reforestation and climate action. 

A Holistic Approach to Climate Resilience 

Through its combination of multilevel governance, educational programs, and ambitious reforestation efforts, Gauteng Province is demonstrating that climate action is most effective when rooted in collaboration. By actively engaging national and international frameworks while remaining focused on the unique needs of its communities, Gauteng is charting a path toward sustainable development that leaves no one behind. 

Whether through the Climate Change School Awareness Program, the 1 Million Tree Program, or its comprehensive climate action strategy, Gauteng’s approach ensures that its fight against climate change is both inclusive and impactful, securing a resilient future for generations to come. 

Watch our #RegionsVoice video and discover more about Gauteng’s story:

 

More actions in this region