Adaptation Readiness in South Africa: Synthesis Report

30 Mar 2025

South Africa faces increasing climate risks, yet its adaptation readiness remains low, especially for vulnerable communities. This Synthesis Report identifies four conditions essential for accelerating climate resilience: cooperative governance, an adaptation-ready fiscal environment, enhanced delivery capacity, and robust monitoring and learning systems. The report calls for systemic transformation to break away from the "development as usual" approach. It highlights the importance of operationalising the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus and ecosystem-based adaptation to drive sustainable change. Key sectors assessed include the water value chain, agriculture, and the built environment, with recommendations to address persistent inequalities and governance challenges. The findings will inform the Presidential Climate Commission’s forthcoming Just Adaptation and Resilience Investment Fund, aimed at building a climate-resilient, inclusive economy.