Ziervogel G., New M., Archer van Garderen E., Midgley G., Taylor A., Hamann R., Stuart-Hill S., Myers J., Warburton M.
Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; CSIR/School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Pretoria, South Africa; South African National Botanical Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa; African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; School for Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; School for Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
Ziervogel, G., Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; New, M., African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Archer van Garderen, E., CSIR/School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Pretoria, South Africa; Midgley, G., South African National Botanical Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa; Taylor, A., African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Hamann, R., Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Stuart-Hill, S., School for Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa; Myers, J., School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Warburton, M., School for Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
In this paper we review current approaches and recent advances in research on climate impacts and adaptation in South Africa. South Africa has a well-developed earth system science research program that underpins the climate change scenarios developed for the southern African region. Established research on the biophysical impacts of climate change on key sectors (water, agriculture, and biodiversity) integrates the climate change scenarios but further research is needed in a number of areas, such as the climate impacts on cities and the built environment. National government has developed a National Climate Change Response White Paper, but this has yet to translate into policy that mainstreams adaptation in everyday practice and longer-term planning in all spheres and levels of government. A national process to scope long-term adaptation scenarios is underway, focusing on cross-sectoral linkages in adaptation responses at a national level. Adaptation responses are emerging in certain sectors. Some notable city-scale and project-based adaptation responses have been implemented, but institutional challenges persist. In addition, a number of knowledge gaps remain in relation to the biophysical and socio-economic impacts of climate change. A particular need is to develop South Africa's capacity to undertake integrated assessments of climate change that can support climate-resilient development planning. © 2014 The Authors. WIREs Climate Change published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.