PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies Local Government and P / E Errol Douwes Manager: Restoration Ecology Branch Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department Durban (EThekwini Municipality), South Africa

PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies In summary Local-level governments will proceed to build sustainability, and ensure adaptation to climate change, regardless of high level policies

PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies Critical linkages Sustainability – Not a stand-along concept Socio-economic development Gender equity Disaster risk reduction Climate protection & resilience – Always context specific e.g. local / global; formal / informal – Must deliver more than one ‘good’ Local-level example: – Buffelsdraai Community Reforestation Programme

PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies Durban’s CEBA Projects – what are they delivering? Climate Change Adaptation Improved resilience of communities & ecosystems to climate change (e.g. water supply) Climate Change Mitigation e.g. reforestation, renewable energy projects Ecosystem restoration e.g. wetland rehabilitation; Invasive Alien Species removal from catchment; reforestation Social upliftment Project contributes towards improved livelihoods for those involved in work Green Economy Growth of the Green Economy Education & outreach Research

PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies

But… progress is clumsy Still more questions than answers Lots of poorly aligned debate Options and more options – Photo-voltaics / Wind / Infrastructure / Ecosystem services / Landscape approach? Many ‘super wicked’ problems – High complexity – Different perceptions and understanding of benefits – Difficult socio- and political- conditions – Silo approaches – Inadequate policies – Growing income divide – Natural / Env. resources not decoupled from GDP

PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies What to do? Unpack the difficulties – Interventions must have multiple co- benefits – Conceptual frameworks must change – Self perpetuating systems are unhelpful – Avoid ‘solving’ one problem while creating another. Set clear guidelines – Establish meaningful metrics for assessing delivery – Research must interface with policy and practice – Training of institutions and individuals (enable response)

PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies Recognition of local Local government not at the table – Still not acknowledged – Only local governments can effect the changes required – But, recognition and support of national governments is required Local action is real, but cannot leverage policy changes (glass ceiling) – Vertical integration is essential (equal partners) – SDG and Climate agreements must include local government agreements

PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies Funding at local level Direct access to funding is necessary – High transaction costs prohibitive to local governments – can’t access funds easily Funders want clean delivery line (outputs and outcomes) – Often not possible, as our understanding of wicked problems continues to evolve – Systems not geared to deal with required flexibility – Failures generates important learnings (experimentation is needed)

PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies Questions to ask Current UN system – Is it working? – Nation states vs. ‘planet of cities’ How much more time do we have? 10-year plan needed, but as yet no global agreement?

PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies Way forward: Facilitation and Support An urban SDG won’t effect changes to the world. The change is happening regardless. So, the agreement should rather be facilitating and supporting of local actions that are already happening. A top-down approach is not useful. UN structure needs to change. Build linkages Funders: reduce funding conditionality – Conditions don’t speak to real world issues Effect meaningful policy changes

PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies In Summary Local government – is already transforming the world. – Will keep moving regardless of the SDG outcomes (high urgency!). Facilitation of change – will ensure sharing of learnings, and reduce mistakes

PEP20, Edinburgh: Implementing the SDGs for inclusive, climate resilient green economies Thank you References Climate Smart: Buffelsdraai Community Reforestation Project Douwes E, Roy KE, Diederichs-Mander N, Mavundla K, Roberts D The Buffelsdraai Landfill Site Community Reforestation Project: Leading the way in community ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change. EThekwini Municipality, Durban. DOI: /RG DOI: /RG Roberts D, Boon R, Diederichs N, Douwes E, Govender N, McInnes A, McLean C, O’Donoghue S, Spires, M Exploring ecosystem-based adaptation in Durban, South Africa:“learning-by-doing” at the local government coal face. Environment and Urbanization, 24(1): 167–195. Roberts D, O'Donoghue S Urban Environmental Challenges and Climate Change Action in Durban, South Africa. Environment and Urbanization 25: