We are proud to announce the joint release of the Guideline on Mainstreaming Climate Responsiveness and Resilience into Urban Planning. This groundbreaking guideline is endorsed by the National Treasury’s Cities Support Programme, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), and the South African Cities Network (SACN). The Guidelines were developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as an implementing partner of the National Treasury.
As a practical tool aligned with the Climate Change Act, No. 22 of 2024, the Guideline provides municipalities with the necessary framework and recommendations to integrate climate responsiveness and resilience (CR&R) into their planning processes. It serves as a critical enabler for municipalities to meet their obligations under the Act, which emphasises the need for climate-responsive governance, adaptation, and mitigation actions at all sectors and levels of government.
The purpose of this Guideline is to empower municipalities to align their planning instruments, such as Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs), with CR&R priorities. By embedding climate considerations into these foundational planning documents, municipalities can better anticipate and respond to climate risks, fostering resilient and adaptive urban development.
Key objectives of the Guideline:
- Integration into Strategic Planning: It provides municipalities with clear guidance on integrating CR&R priorities into their strategic planning processes and instruments, ensuring climate change considerations are mainstreamed across all levels of municipal planning.
- Spatial Targeting and Prioritisation: It offers tools and methodologies for identifying and prioritising climate risk zones, enabling municipalities to focus resources on areas most vulnerable to climate change.
- Assessment and Reporting: It supports municipalities in assessing and tracking their progress toward CR&R integration, enabling more effective reporting and continuous improvement in resilience-building efforts.The institutionalisation of this Guideline by key government partners underscores the importance of climate change adaptation and resilience in urban planning. It demonstrates a government-wide commitment to working together to address the challenges posed by climate change and create more resilient and livable cities for all.