Creating triple-win solutions for nature, communities and the economy

The document highlights the interconnectedness of nature, society, and the economy, using the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal as a catalyst for discussing climate risks. It outlines South Africa's efforts to transition from fossil fuels via a US$8.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership and its progress in expanding protected land and marine areas. The text emphasizes the role of innovative financing, such as the World Bank's US$150 million "Rhino Bond," and nature-based solutions in achieving sustainable development. Finally, it situates these efforts within global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as regional initiatives like the African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan.

• Climate change significantly increased the likelihood of the floods in KwaZulu-Natal, which resulted in at least 435 deaths and extensive damage to infrastructure.
• South Africa is implementing several climate and energy policy measures, including a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, a developing Climate Bill for better coordination across government levels, and 2020 regulatory changes allowing companies and municipalities to generate their own electricity.
• A Just Energy Transition Partnership worth US$8.5 billion is being developed to assist South Africa in moving away from fossil fuels while supporting affected workers and communities.
• South Africa has increased its protected areas, with 9.2% of total land area now managed for biodiversity conservation (a >10% increase since 2015) and marine protected areas increasing from less than 1% to 5% following 2019 gazetting.
• Innovative financing is being used for wildlife conservation, exemplified by the World Bank's US$150 million "Rhino Bond," though rhino poaching numbers increased in 2021 after a previous decline.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2022). Creating triple-win solutions for nature, communities and the economy. https://saiia.org.za/research/creating-triple-win-solutions-for-nature-communities-and-the-economy/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Creating triple-win solutions for nature, communities and the economy. 2022. https://saiia.org.za/research/creating-triple-win-solutions-for-nature-communities-and-the-economy/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Creating triple-win solutions for nature, communities and the economy |date=10 June 2022 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/creating-triple-win-solutions-for-nature-communities-and-the-economy/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2022creating, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Creating triple-win solutions for nature, communities and the economy}}, publisher = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2022}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/creating-triple-win-solutions-for-nature-communities-and-the-economy/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }