Adapting to climate, water and health stress: Insights from Limpopo, South Africa. Gina Ziervogel, Frank Thomalla, Anna Taylor, Takeshi Takama, Claire Quinn, Mandla Msibi Stockholm Environment Institute, University of Cape Town

Areas of investigation Multiple stresses: climate, water, health, food security –Perception of prevailing risks –Prioritisation of responses to dynamic risks –Individual/household, village and district level perceptions of various stresses and responses Adaptation to stresses –Opportunities and constraints for managing stress –Possibilities for integrated adaptive response to stress within and between scales.

Case study: Sekhukhune

Water in Sekhukhune Water: central to development in the district –supply of basic services –water for agriculture (commercial agriculture, small-scale market-oriented agriculture and subsistence) –water for expanding mining sector

Village level: opportunities and constraints

Climate/water/food and livelihoods More money is available when it rains, because we get produce from our home garden and save on water bills. Villager from Mohlotsi We used to grow some food but now we buy everything. Villager from Mohlotsi

Coping/adapting at household level Coping strategiesAdaptation strategies Eat less preferred foodWork elsewhere Reduce number of meals a dayEngage in a village project Limit portion size of mealsContact district for support Rely on pieceworkGo on a training course at own cost Borrow foodTry to access a grant Eat elsewhereStart/improve home garden Purchase food on credit

Examples of perceived strategies to address stress

District development foci District level –Mining  water –Agriculture  water –Tourism  limited water –Establishment of regional development nodes  limited water –Training programmes

province of extremes drought and flood Climatic change is not something we can stop. Limpopo is a province of extremes, swinging between drought and flood. stretch every drop of water But this new drier future is a whole new thing...We cannot just sit and wait for it to arrive. The government is proactively and aggressively driving new policies to stretch every drop of water we have as far as possible. Premier of Limpopo, Mr. Moloto, Mail and Guardian, 2006

Adaptation to climate change In Sekhukhune climate change impacts will be experienced through water-related stress –Many agricultural assessments of need for adaptation –Limited examples of the implications for the water sector Climate change impact and adaptation assessment –Commitment at national and provincial level –Non-existent at district level –Handful of local examples

Need for adaptive strategies in water management Effective management of water links to livelihood security –Directly  agriculture and livestock; individual and communal –Indirectly  employment opportunities, food prices Yet, water decisions made by stakeholders at provincial and district level –around key district economic activities –Impact of these on poverty not necessarily direct –Levels of poverty in rural communities are high and shorter- term solutions needed

Adaptation to multiple stresses Acknowledge differing perceptions Target municipal level Integrated activities at the government level –Between sectors –Avoid maladaptation

Adaptation to climate change in Sekhukhune Municipal level –Recognition of potential impact of climate change Exploration of adaptation strategies –Local projects –Integrated in municipal and district planning –Support from national level Examples –Supporting non-agricultural livelihood activities –Value-added services –Rainwater harvesting –Reassess infrastructure standards –Provisions for climate variability in water management plans

Future pathways Unemployment and food insecurity –urgent livelihood needs to address Adaptation to multiple stress –recognition of different needs –use strengths of different scales –links between issues not clearly articulated Adaptation to climate change –adaptive management of water Policy and operational frameworks –not in place to address this

thanks… tobela