Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Last updated
Last updated
The Municipality is participating in the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) Municipal Support Programme and has been assisted to develop a Climate Change Adaption Plan (CCAP).
The Plan identifies 5 intervention areas namely;
Mainstreaming of climate change adaptation into municipal governance;
Climate resilient low-income housing;
Storm water management;
Conservation of natural resources; and
Agriculture.
Other matters aligning climate change with infrastructure development, resonates on the completion of the Bergrivier Electricity Master Plan funded by Provincial Government, the Integrated Transport Plan and the Integrated Waste Management Plan, with a focus on reduction of waste transport, contribute to managing climate change matters.
MAINSTREAMING OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION INTO MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE
CLIMATE RESILIENT LOW-INCOME HOUSING
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
ALIEN VEGETATION REMOVAL
AGRICULTURE
Adaptation to climate change should not be viewed as a separate function of the Municipality but rather be mainstreamed as a consideration in all planning and development. Capacity needs to be developed amongst all stakeholders, knowledge co-produced and shared, and valuable experience developed around successful climate adaptation. A priority that needs to be addressed is how to get increased political buy-in to the climate adaptation process to ensure that the identified adaptation interventions can be taken forward effectively. The timeline for the implementation of identified adaptation interventions will depend on the availability of funding, and if there is no available funding how long it will take to source funding Successful implementation is also dependant on the coordination of environmental forums/structures.
Capacity building and awareness – officials and decision makers to create buy in.
Training and information dissemination
Adaptation to climate change should not be viewed as a separate function of the Municipality but rather be mainstreamed as a consideration in all planning and development. Capacity needs to be developed amongst all stakeholders, knowledge co-produced and shared, and valuable experience developed around successful climate adaptation. A priority that needs to be addressed is how to get increased political buy-in to the climate adaptation process to ensure that the identified adaptation interventions can be taken forward effectively. The timeline for the implementation of identified adaptation interventions will depend on the availability of funding, and if there is no available funding how long it will take to source funding Successful implementation is also dependant on the coordination of environmental forums/structures.
Capacity building - community
Seminar to create awareness and information dissemination.
Green Ambassadors – youth development programme (EPWP)
Adaptation to climate change should not be viewed as a separate function of the Municipality but rather be mainstreamed as a consideration in all planning and development. Capacity needs to be developed amongst all stakeholders, knowledge co-produced and shared, and valuable experience developed around successful climate adaptation. A priority that needs to be addressed is how to get increased political buy-in to the climate adaptation process to ensure that the identified adaptation interventions can be taken forward effectively. The timeline for the implementation of identified adaptation interventions will depend on the availability of funding, and if there is no available funding how long it will take to source funding Successful implementation is also dependant on the coordination of environmental forums/structures.
Environment sector engagement
Targeted participatory planning process to include environmental issues in IDP (Environment Sector engagements)
Typically, in the past, no consideration was given to climatic considerations when designing low-cost housing. Low-cost houses are essentially cement shacks with little or no insulation and no inclusion of any measures to mitigate local climate risk. This situation not only compromises the health of residents, but also serves to increase their vulnerability to climate hazards associated with climate change, such as increased temperatures, increased intensity of rainfall, increased intensity of wind, etc.
Bergrivier Municipality currently has a housing pipeline, which will result in the construction of low-cost houses in various towns in the Municipal Area over the next five years. This provides the ideal opportunity to include climate considerations into the design of the development as well as individual houses.
There is also a need to retrofit the existing low-cost housing; however, this will pose a challenge as existing houses are now in private ownership.
Assess the potential for new low- cost housing developments to be
more climate resilient.
Ensure climate risk reduction considerations are incorporated into the design of new housing developments, e.g.
Must do environmental/vulnerability assessments / redo mapping of flood lines.
Disaster Risk Assessment of Bergrivier and broader West Coast District currently being undertaken.
Typically, in the past, no consideration was given to climatic considerations when designing low-cost housing. Low-cost houses are essentially cement shacks with little or no insulation and no inclusion of any measures to mitigate local climate risk. This situation not only compromises the health of residents, but also serves to increase their vulnerability to climate hazards associated with climate change, such as increased temperatures, increased intensity of rainfall, increased intensity of wind, etc.
Bergrivier Municipality currently has a housing pipeline, which will result in the construction of low-cost houses in various towns in the Municipal Area over the next five years. This provides the ideal opportunity to include climate considerations into the design of the development as well as individual houses.
There is also a need to retrofit the existing low-cost housing; however, this will pose a challenge as existing houses are now in private ownership.
Greening RDP housing design.
Explore the potential for RDP house to be more environmentally friendly and suitable for climate impacts (intense heat, water runoff, etc.).
Investigate what additional funding would be needed to make houses more ‘climate resilient’.
How to minimize subsidies for these households – rainwater tanks and solar options. (both existing and new housing).
Could link to Aurora solar farm trust/Solaire project and enterprise fund. Build capacity to maintain and create jobs around it.
Vertical gardens should be investigated (insulation, food, improved use of water).
Typically, in the past, no consideration was given to climatic considerations when designing low-cost housing. Low-cost houses are essentially cement shacks with little or no insulation and no inclusion of any measures to mitigate local climate risk. This situation not only compromises the health of residents, but also serves to increase their vulnerability to climate hazards associated with climate change, such as increased temperatures, increased intensity of rainfall, increased intensity of wind, etc.
Bergrivier Municipality currently has a housing pipeline, which will result in the construction of low-cost houses in various towns in the Municipal Area over the next five years. This provides the ideal opportunity to include climate considerations into the design of the development as well as individual houses.
There is also a need to retrofit the existing low-cost housing; however, this will pose a challenge as existing houses are now in private ownership.
‘Green building’ retrofitting of existing low-cost housing
Rainwater tanks, solar water heaters, and vertical gardens
Solaire direct Solar Trust in Aurora (Project – Enterprise Fund – trying to build local jobs, maintenance, etc.)
The Municipality’s storm water management plans for Piketberg did not fully consider the effect of run-off water from the mountain, and as a result, many
houses in the northern part of Piketberg, including the recently constructed low- cost houses flood on a regular basis. As a result of this, when rain is forecast for
Piketberg, the Municipality puts sandbags to divert water away from the area. This is however not sustainable, particularly in view of the rainfall intensification trends in the area. This problem also manifests in other areas of the Municipality and storm water related issues always receive a high priority during the public participation process that accompanies revisions to the IDP. Master plans are in place to deal with this and other infrastructure related issues but funding to implement these plans is limited. One of the projects contained in the storm water master plan is the diversion of excess storm water into a dam as a flood prevention measure in Piketberg. These plans therefore provide an opportunity to include climate change considerations into new infrastructure planning and development.
Improved management of storm water
Ensure climate considerations are considered when developing / revising infrastructure master plans.
Improve storm water maintenance.
Increased occurrence of storm water drain clearing, particularly before significant rainfall.
The Municipality’s storm water management plans for Piketberg did not fully consider the effect of run-off water from the mountain, and as a result, many
houses in the northern part of Piketberg, including the recently constructed low- cost houses flood on a regular basis. As a result of this, when rain is forecast for
Piketberg, the Municipality puts sandbags to divert water away from the area. This is however not sustainable, particularly in view of the rainfall intensification trends in the area. This problem also manifests in other areas of the Municipality and storm water related issues always receive a high priority during the public participation process that accompanies revisions to the IDP. Master plans are in place to deal with this and other infrastructure related issues but funding to implement these plans is limited. One of the projects contained in the storm water master plan is the diversion of excess storm water into a dam as a flood prevention measure in Piketberg. These plans therefore provide an opportunity to include climate change considerations into new infrastructure planning and development.
Investigate alternative use of storm water
Assess rainwater harvesting potential and explore potential to channel water to commonage / open spaces (Piketberg North) – this could provide an opportunity to use these areas for recreational purposes or communal food gardens (food security and cooler areas)
The Municipality’s storm water management plans for Piketberg did not fully consider the effect of run-off water from the mountain, and as a result, many
houses in the northern part of Piketberg, including the recently constructed low- cost houses flood on a regular basis. As a result of this, when rain is forecast for
Piketberg, the Municipality puts sandbags to divert water away from the area. This is however not sustainable, particularly in view of the rainfall intensification trends in the area. This problem also manifests in other areas of the Municipality and storm water related issues always receive a high priority during the public participation process that accompanies revisions to the IDP. Master plans are in place to deal with this and other infrastructure related issues but funding to implement these plans is limited. One of the projects contained in the storm water master plan is the diversion of excess storm water into a dam as a flood prevention measure in Piketberg. These plans therefore provide an opportunity to include climate change considerations into new infrastructure planning and development.
Regulation of storm water drainage (By-law)
Develop a by-law aimed at reducing storm water run-off across the municipality through the restriction of the amount of hard surfaces allowed on a particular erf. This will encourage infiltration of water on site rather than having to increase the design specifications of the storm water system to accommodate growing urban areas and / or increased intensity of rainfall.
Invasive alien vegetation compromises the availability of water in the Berg River and increases the fire risk in the area. Climate projections indicate a trend towards higher mean annual temperatures in the area, which will increase the fire risk as well as potentially compromising water supply. Bergrivier Municipality can play a more significant role in alien clearing initiatives in the area through utilisation of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP), as well as increased municipal representation on initiatives such as the Department of Water Affairs, Department of Agriculture’s Land Care programme, Department of Environmental Affairs’ Working for Water and Working for Wetlands programmes. There is also significant potential to participate in programmes of the West Coast District Municipality.
Localising involvement at the municipal level will increase job opportunities in the area, which may have a related positive affect on reducing the challenges associated with the dependence on seasonal work in the area. At present most of the municipality’s EPWP funds are spent on infrastructure related projects, however the Western Cape Government EPWP co-ordinator could assist with the utilisation of EPWP funds to develop invasive alien vegetation clearing projects. A concern was raised that many women are excluded from participating in EPWP projects, because they receive social grants. This needs to be investigated, as there are a lot of female-headed households in the municipality who are missing out on this employment opportunity.
Private sector involvement is essential to the climate adaptation process, and in alien vegetation clearing there is already a proposed PPC biomass-to-energy initiative underway in the Piketberg area. This provides an opportunity for the municipality to partner with the private sector around this and other similar initiatives with the support of the Provincial Green Economy Programme.
There is also a potential opportunity to link in with and utilise the ICLEI Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) Agreement, which the municipality signed in 2010. This could potentially introduce an ecosystem services component to the adaptation planning at some point, which could significantly open further collaborative and/or funding opportunities. Funding is currently a constraint, but a few projects have been initiated nonetheless under this initiative
Expand and participate in existing alien clearing programmes
To develop and implement an Invasive species monitoring, control and eradication plan. Obtaining specialist input for the development of such a plan and to ensure long term implementation of this plan.
To indicate and change to Invasive species monitoring, control and eradication for Bergrivier as invasive species of fauna and flora to be looked at and not only vegetation, also all invasive land and aquatic animal species.
EPWP budget to include projects aimed at clearing invasive alien plants and fighting bush fires
Ensure that Municipality is represented on the EPWP Environmental Arts & Culture Sector meeting.
Source funding for alien clearing projects
Send resulting biomass to local industry; like PPC (part of existing process whereby they are obtaining a permit to burn solid waste)
Expand PPC solid waste burning project (part of an existing process)
Green economy opportunity
Value chain for Biomass
Clear water hyacinths
Partnership with Department of Agriculture and West Coast District Municipality who are already involved
Invasive alien vegetation compromises the availability of water in the Berg River and increases the fire risk in the area. Climate projections indicate a trend towards higher mean annual temperatures in the area, which will increase the fire risk as well as potentially compromising water supply. Bergrivier Municipality can play a more significant role in alien clearing initiatives in the area through utilisation of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP), as well as increased municipal representation on initiatives such as the Department of Water Affairs, Department of Agriculture’s Land Care programme, Department of Environmental Affairs’ Working for Water and Working for Wetlands programmes. There is also significant potential to participate in programmes of the West Coast District Municipality.
Localising involvement at the municipal level will increase job opportunities in the area, which may have a related positive affect on reducing the challenges associated with the dependence on seasonal work in the area. At present most of the municipality’s EPWP funds are spent on infrastructure related projects, however the Western Cape Government EPWP co-ordinator could assist with the utilisation of EPWP funds to develop invasive alien vegetation clearing projects. A concern was raised that many women are excluded from participating in EPWP projects, because they receive social grants. This needs to be investigated, as there are a lot of female-headed households in the municipality who are missing out on this employment opportunity.
Private sector involvement is essential to the climate adaptation process, and in alien vegetation clearing there is already a proposed PPC biomass-to-energy initiative underway in the Piketberg area. This provides an opportunity for the municipality to partner with the private sector around this and other similar initiatives with the support of the Provincial Green Economy Programme.
There is also a potential opportunity to link in with and utilise the ICLEI Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) Agreement, which the municipality signed in 2010. This could potentially introduce an ecosystem services component to the adaptation planning at some point, which could significantly open further collaborative and/or funding opportunities. Funding is currently a constraint, but a few projects have been initiated nonetheless under this initiative
Expand existing Working on Fire programmes
Fire Protection Associations
Need increased support so that can go into lowlands areas.
Join FPAs – linked to the Veld and Forest Fire Act
Build synergies with Disaster Management through EPWP
Increased support so that the municipality can employ people permanently (an existing challenge)
The agriculture sector was less involved in this planning process, which is primarily attributable to the time of year when the meetings were held. Despite this there was a great interest in climate change and the impact thereof on the agriculture sector. The contribution of the Agriculture sector in funding some of the early work on the implications of climate change for the Sandveld is also acknowledged. The sector thus needs to be a priority for further engagement. It was suggested that a forum be established so that farmers (small-scale and commercial) can be assisted with long-term planning, and the clear identification of stresses, priority threats and adaptation opportunities, as well as integration within the municipality strategy. This will also be necessary so that the agricultural sector can be represented more in the IDP planning process, as an on-going engagement. There was a suggestion that a municipal representative participate in the existing agricultural unions which could be taken further, as the unions have on several occasions expressed interest in understanding climate change implications.
Agriculture
Targeted participatory planning process for Agricultural Sector in IDP (Agriculture Sector engagements)
Mainstream agriculture sector into municipal planning
Municipality should have a representative on the Agriculture Union