Strengthening Marine and Coastal EbA in Climate Policies in Southern Africa

This research paper examines the integration of marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) within the climate policies and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 10 SADC member states. It identifies a systemic gap where terrestrial concerns often overshadow marine issues, leading to a disconnect between high-level global pledges and local implementation. The author analyzes national case studies, identifies significant hurdles—including capacity gaps, siloed governance, and financing shortages—and provides recommendations for strengthening the 'seascape' approach to climate resilience in Southern Africa.

• There is a widespread consensus that terrestrial climate issues are prioritized over marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in policy discussions, which limits the integration of marine EbA into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Implementation of marine EbA in SADC is hindered by significant capacity gaps in public institutions and community groups, specifically regarding ecological restoration techniques, pollution prevention, and the enforcement of regulations for offshore mining.
• Governance in SADC countries is characterized by 'siloed' operations, where ministries (such as fisheries, environment, and tourism) often fail to coordinate horizontally, and practitioners remain disconnected from policymakers vertically.
• Financial constraints are a primary barrier to moving from pledges to action, exacerbated by short donor timelines (often three years) and the low capacity of local authorities to absorb adaptation finance.
• Environment and climate change ministries in SADC countries typically possess low negotiation power compared to other government ministries, which restricts their ability to operationalize policies and access finance.
• Inequitable access to resources persists across the region, where commercial entities often dominate fishing and carbon rights, marginalizing local subsistence communities and hindering sustainable stewardship.
• There is a critical lack of real-time monitoring and early warning systems for coastal zones, with a particular deficiency in tracking toxic waste contamination and ocean acidification along the west coast of Southern Africa.
• Gender inequalities persist in coastal communities, where patriarchal norms limit women's decision-making power in financial matters and their adoption of adaptation technologies, such as solar power pumps.
• The author recommends adopting a 'seascape' approach that integrates marine, coastal, estuarine, and inland riparian systems to recognize ecological interdependence in planning.
• Innovative financing models, such as Seychelles' 'Debt for Nature Swap' and blue carbon markets, show promise but require scaling and better institutional capacity to be effective.

APA

THORN, J. (2023). Strengthening Marine and Coastal EbA in Climate Policies in Southern Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SAIIA_OP-346_MarinaCoastalEbA.pdf

Chicago

THORN, JESSICA. Strengthening Marine and Coastal EbA in Climate Policies in Southern Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2023. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SAIIA_OP-346_MarinaCoastalEbA.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=THORN |first1=JESSICA |title=Strengthening Marine and Coastal EbA in Climate Policies in Southern Africa |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=May 2023 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SAIIA_OP-346_MarinaCoastalEbA.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{thorn2023strengthening, author = {THORN, JESSICA}, title = {{Strengthening Marine and Coastal EbA in Climate Policies in Southern Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2023}, month = may, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SAIIA_OP-346_MarinaCoastalEbA.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }