GGH2601
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: 31 MARCH 2026
,GGH2601 ASSIGNMENT 1 2026 DUE 31 MARCH 2026
Question
Africa has faced severe weather conditions in recent years, which have
negatively impacted development. Assume the role of a convenor of a
presidential task team and discuss mitigation strategies specifically tailored
for your country to combat the impacts of climate change.
1. Introduction
Climate change is one of the most serious environmental and development
challenges today. Although Africa produces a small share of global
greenhouse gas emissions, it is highly vulnerable because of poverty, weak
infrastructure and reliance on climatesensitive sectors like agriculture and
water (IPCC, 2018). As a result, Africa is often described as a “climate
change taker,” meaning it suffers from a problem it did little to cause
(Cilliers, 2021). South Africa faces a double challenge. It is a major emitter
due to its dependence on coal, but it is also very vulnerable to climate
impacts such as droughts and water shortages. The 2015–2018 Western
Cape drought, which nearly led to Cape Town’s “Day Zero,” showed how
climate change, population growth and governance issues can threaten
, water supply (Department of Water and Sanitation, 2019). Therefore, South
Africa needs strong mitigation strategies that reduce emissions while
supporting economic and social development. This essay, written as a
presidential task team, discusses suitable mitigation strategies while also
recognising the need for adaptation.
2. Climate Change Impacts in South Africa
South Africa is already experiencing the consequences of climate change in
multiple ways, with serious implications for both the environment and
society. One of the most pressing challenges is increasing water scarcity,
as rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns reduce surface water
availability and increase evaporation rates
(UNEP, 2021). The near-collapse of Cape Town’s water supply system
highlighted the vulnerability of urban areas to prolonged droughts and
inadequate infrastructure planning (Cilliers, 2021). In addition to drought,
the country is also experiencing more frequent and intense extreme
weather events, including floods, heatwaves and wildfires. Flooding in
provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal has caused significant damage to
infrastructure, displaced communities and led to loss of life, while
heatwaves negatively affect human health, agricultural productivity and
labour efficiency (World Bank, 2020). Climate change also threatens food
security, as changing climatic conditions reduce crop yields and increase
the risk of crop failure. The IPCC has warned that key staple crops such as
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: 31 MARCH 2026
,GGH2601 ASSIGNMENT 1 2026 DUE 31 MARCH 2026
Question
Africa has faced severe weather conditions in recent years, which have
negatively impacted development. Assume the role of a convenor of a
presidential task team and discuss mitigation strategies specifically tailored
for your country to combat the impacts of climate change.
1. Introduction
Climate change is one of the most serious environmental and development
challenges today. Although Africa produces a small share of global
greenhouse gas emissions, it is highly vulnerable because of poverty, weak
infrastructure and reliance on climatesensitive sectors like agriculture and
water (IPCC, 2018). As a result, Africa is often described as a “climate
change taker,” meaning it suffers from a problem it did little to cause
(Cilliers, 2021). South Africa faces a double challenge. It is a major emitter
due to its dependence on coal, but it is also very vulnerable to climate
impacts such as droughts and water shortages. The 2015–2018 Western
Cape drought, which nearly led to Cape Town’s “Day Zero,” showed how
climate change, population growth and governance issues can threaten
, water supply (Department of Water and Sanitation, 2019). Therefore, South
Africa needs strong mitigation strategies that reduce emissions while
supporting economic and social development. This essay, written as a
presidential task team, discusses suitable mitigation strategies while also
recognising the need for adaptation.
2. Climate Change Impacts in South Africa
South Africa is already experiencing the consequences of climate change in
multiple ways, with serious implications for both the environment and
society. One of the most pressing challenges is increasing water scarcity,
as rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns reduce surface water
availability and increase evaporation rates
(UNEP, 2021). The near-collapse of Cape Town’s water supply system
highlighted the vulnerability of urban areas to prolonged droughts and
inadequate infrastructure planning (Cilliers, 2021). In addition to drought,
the country is also experiencing more frequent and intense extreme
weather events, including floods, heatwaves and wildfires. Flooding in
provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal has caused significant damage to
infrastructure, displaced communities and led to loss of life, while
heatwaves negatively affect human health, agricultural productivity and
labour efficiency (World Bank, 2020). Climate change also threatens food
security, as changing climatic conditions reduce crop yields and increase
the risk of crop failure. The IPCC has warned that key staple crops such as
