Strengthening marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in the national climate responses of SADC’s coastal states

The document argues that coastal and island countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are highly vulnerable to climate risks like cyclones and sea-level rise, necessitating the use of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA). While some progress exists, implementation is hindered by siloed governance, lack of capacity at local government levels, and insufficient finance. The brief recommends integrating specific EbA targets into 2025 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), aligning biodiversity and ocean policies, and utilizing a newly established regional community of practice to share best practices and mobilize resources.

• Coastal and island communities in the SADC region face high exposure to climate hazards, including cyclones, floods, and sea-level rise, which is worsened by poverty, inequality, and political instability. Between 2021 and 2022, six cyclones affected more than 2.5 million people in the region.
• Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is presented as a cost-effective alternative or supplement to engineered 'grey' infrastructure, such as seawalls. Examples of coastal EbA include mangrove and coral restoration, sustainable fisheries management, and the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
• Several SADC countries have implemented specific EbA projects: Madagascar has the world's largest community-led mangrove restoration project via MIHARI and Blue Ventures; Tanzania has combined a 2,400m concrete seawall with mangrove and coral reef restoration; and Mauritius is planting endemic trees for coastal protection.
• Policy and governance gaps hinder EbA, specifically the lack of specific coastal EbA targets in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the 'siloed' nature of government departments, where climate units are often separated from fisheries or blue economy ministries.
• Financial constraints are significant, as adaptation funding for Africa is insufficient and some countries lose access to concessional finance upon upgrading their economic status. Innovative models used in the region include the Seychelles Debt-for-Nature Swap and Blue Bond, and blue carbon credits in Madagascar.
• To improve implementation, the document recommends that SADC member states integrate timeframe-specific EbA targets into their 2025 NDC revisions and establish a regional EbA strategy that addresses the specific needs of coastal communities.
• The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), under the Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+) programme, has established a SADC regional community of practice to facilitate knowledge sharing and inclusive policymaking among stakeholders.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2023). Strengthening marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in the national climate responses of SADC’s coastal states. https://saiia.org.za/research/strengthening-marine-and-coastal-eba-in-southern-africa/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Strengthening marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in the national climate responses of SADC’s coastal states. 2023. https://saiia.org.za/research/strengthening-marine-and-coastal-eba-in-southern-africa/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Strengthening marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in the national climate responses of SADC’s coastal states |date=9 June 2023 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/strengthening-marine-and-coastal-eba-in-southern-africa/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2023strengthening, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Strengthening marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in the national climate responses of SADC’s coastal states}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2023}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/strengthening-marine-and-coastal-eba-in-southern-africa/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }