Renforcement de l’adaptation fondée sur les écosystèmes marins et côtiers en Afrique australe

This policy brief advocates for the scaling of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in the coastal and marine environments of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to enhance climate resilience, conserve biodiversity, and promote socio-economic development.

• Coastal and island nations in the SADC region face high vulnerability to climate risks, including cyclones, floods, and sea-level rise, which is worsened by poverty, inequality, and political instability. Between 2021 and 2022, six cyclones hit the SADC region, affecting more than 2.5 million people.
• Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) is presented as a cost-effective alternative or supplement to traditional 'grey' engineering solutions. Examples include the use of mangroves, which can store up to five times more organic carbon than highland tropical forests, and coral reefs that mitigate wave energy to protect communities from storms.
• Several SADC countries have implemented specific EbA initiatives: Madagascar has the world's largest community mangrove restoration project via the MIHARI network and Blue Ventures; Tanzania has combined a 2,400m concrete seawall with the restoration of 1,000 hectares of mangroves and 2,000 square meters of coral reef; South Africa is rehabilitating dunes in Cape Town; and Mauritius is planting endemic trees for coastal protection.
• The implementation of EbA in the region is hindered by policy gaps, governance issues, and financial constraints. While six of the ten coastal and island SADC countries mention EbA or Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), most lack clear coastal EbA objectives. Additionally, government departments often operate in silos, separating climate units from fisheries or blue economy ministries.
• Financial barriers include insufficient adaptation funding for Africa and the loss of eligibility for concessional financing as countries achieve economic growth, which particularly impacts small island developing states. Innovative models mentioned include the Seychelles' debt-for-nature swap and Blue Bond, and blue carbon credit sales from mangrove restoration in Madagascar.
• To improve regional cooperation, the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) has established a SADC regional community of practice for marine and coastal EbA. This platform includes policymakers, universities, NGOs, the private sector, and representatives of women and youth to encourage inclusive policy design.

APA

SACK, H. (2023). Renforcement de l’adaptation fondée sur les écosystèmes marins et côtiers en Afrique australe. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/PB-275-GCCA-Sack-French.pdf

Chicago

SACK, HANNAH. Renforcement de l’adaptation fondée sur les écosystèmes marins et côtiers en Afrique australe. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2023. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/PB-275-GCCA-Sack-French.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=SACK |first1=HANNAH |title=Renforcement de l’adaptation fondée sur les écosystèmes marins et côtiers en Afrique australe |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=June 2023 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/PB-275-GCCA-Sack-French.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sack2023renforcement, author = {SACK, HANNAH}, title = {{Renforcement de l’adaptation fondée sur les écosystèmes marins et côtiers en Afrique australe}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2023}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/PB-275-GCCA-Sack-French.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }