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Climate change impacts and adaptation in South Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID12929202
AuthorsG Ziervogel (0000-0003-4219-6809, University of Cape Town, corresponding author), Mark New (0000-0001-6082-8879, University of Cape Town), Emma R M Archer (0000-0002-5374-3866, University of the Witwatersrand), Guy F Midgley (0000-0001-8264-0869, South African National Biodiversity Institute), Anna Taylor (0000-0002-0709-1588, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences), Ralph Hamann (0000-0002-4694-1987, University of Cape Town), Sabine Stuart‐Hill (0000-0002-7362-9278, University of KwaZulu-Natal), Jonny Myers (University of Cape Town), Michele Warburton (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Year2014
Volume5
Issue5
Pages605-620
Publication date2014-07-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueWiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Climate Change (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1757-7780 • E-ISSN: 1757-7799
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/wcc.295
OpenAlexW2160016187
LanguageEN
Citations received64
References cited84

In this paper we review current approaches and recent advances in research on climate impacts and adaptation in South Africa. South Africa has a well‐developed earth system science research program that underpins the climate change scenarios developed for the southern African region. Established research on the biophysical impacts of climate change on key sectors (water, agriculture, and biodiversity) integrates the climate change scenarios but further research is needed in a number of areas, such as the climate impacts on cities and the built environment. National government has developed a National Climate Change Response White Paper, but this has yet to translate into policy that mainstreams adaptation in everyday practice and longer‐term planning in all spheres and levels of government. A national process to scope long‐term adaptation scenarios is underway, focusing on cross‐sectoral linkages in adaptation responses at a national level. Adaptation responses are emerging in certain sectors. Some notable city‐scale and project‐based adaptation responses have been implemented, but institutional challenges persist. In addition, a number of knowledge gaps remain in relation to the biophysical and socio‐economic impacts of climate change. A particular need is to develop South Africa's capacity to undertake integrated assessments of climate change that can support climate‐resilient development planning. WIREs Clim Change 2014, 5:605–620. doi: 10.1002/wcc.295 This article is categorized under: Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > National Reviews

Adaptation (eye · Climate change · Ecological forecasting · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · Government (linguistics · Political economy of climate change · Political science · Scale (ratio · Scope (computer science · Climate change impacts on agriculture · Climate variability and models · Environmental Science · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance · Ecology

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Unique citing works64
Citations per year5,82
Citation span2015 - 2026 (12)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 59
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