Governance and Community Participation in Marine and Coastal EbA in SADC

Governance and Community Participation in Marine and Coastal EbA in SADC
Image: MariusLtu, Getty

SADC countries have robust legal and institutional strategies and policy frameworks that support EbA governance and emphasise the need for community involvement in these initiatives.

Summary:

  • Climate change is a reality in all SADC countries and needs immediate action.
  • Policy and regulatory frameworks in many SADC countries are insufficient to ensure community involvement.
  • In the absence of government action, communities adapt autonomously, sometimes in an uncoordinated manner.
  • However, there have been cases where communities successfully collaborated with governments to implement resource management models.
  • Non-governmental organisations are key partners for communities, providing capacity building and financing for successful ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) initiatives in the coastal zone.
  • Civil society organisations play an important role in environmental advocacy to ensure that governments are held accountable. Key recommendations include empowering communities and including their views in policy- and law-making, and upscaling and implementing feasible community-driven initiatives.

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The views expressed in this publication/article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).