Climate Support Programme IV

The programme supports the South African government in strengthening the mainstreaming and implementation of its climate and biodiversity policies. It contributes to the transition to a decarbonised economy and a climate-resilient society in line with Vision 2050 in an equitable manner. It is based on three pillars that will be critical for long-term impact. First, the programme supports institutional planning and development, as well as the further development and operationalisation of key climate change policies. Secondly, it contributes to enabling the implementation of climate change measures on the ground. Here, the programme will support project preparation and climate finance aspects at national, sub-national and private sector levels. Furthermore, the programme continues to act as an interface for IKI projects in the country with the aim of facilitating knowledge exchange and initiating cooperation.

Project data

Countries: South Africa
IKI funding: 10,000,000.00 €
Duration: 01/2022 till 12/2026
Status: open
Implementing organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Political Partner: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) - South Africa
Implementing Partner: Indalo Inclusive

National Business Initiative - South Africa

South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)

South African National Biodiversity Institute

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State of implementation/results

An online training platform for the Green Book was developed. The platform offers over 10 modules for municipal officials on key topics including vulnerability, climate change, adaptation and mainstreaming and how to integrate the developed climate actions into the municipal functions. After completing the modules and brief assessments participants receive an official certificate.
The National Climate Change Adaptation Response Plan for the Health sector as part of the broader National Adaptation Response Policy was finalised and handed over to the National Department of Health. The final government document outlines a comprehensive strategy to address climate change-driven impacts on the health sector up until 2050.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has approved and signed off the first Draft of the National Climate Change Gender Action Plan, developed with the support of the project. The plan’s purpose is to make climate action more effective and fair by integrating gender considerations into policies, programmes and funding - ensuring that adaptation and mitigation measures are inclusive, protect vulnerable groups, and translate into tangible benefits such as safer livelihoods, better services and stronger participation in decision-making.
Phase 6 of the Local Government Climate Change Support Programme started in November 2025. The programme helps district municipalities integrate climate change into their planning and move from plans to real investments. Building on Phase 5, which produced four project proposals, Phase 6 will support nine additional district municipalities. It focuses on financing and implementation by strengthening climate finance skills, and by helping one municipality in each province turn an existing idea into a fully costed, bankable proposal with a clear climate rationale. Proposals will link adaptation, mitigation and green economy benefits, and prioritise land us /management, energy and water.
The project directly supported the development of key biodiversity and ecosystems adaptation instruments that inform and strengthen South Africa’s NBSAP including technical leadership and analytical support for the second Biodiversity Sector Climate Change Adaptation Plan, Ecosystems-based Adaptation Strategy, biome-level implementation plans, and socio-economic impact assessments. These outputs improved the evidence base, feasibility, and ambition of biodiversity adaptation actions.
The IKI workshop is a key event of the year, bringing the IKI community together and providing a networking platform for all IKI projects in SA, fostering lasting partnerships. The 8th Networking workshop took place in March 2025.
After the delivery of equipment and complete installation of drip irrigation systems and tower gardens, trainings on climate-smart agriculture were conducted in Limpopo, Free State, and Kwa-Zulu Natal Province. A Climate Smart Agriculture Learning Event was then held in Giyani, Limpopo on 4 and 5 February 2025 to showcase project results, and facilitate knowledge exchange among provincial government, communities, and farmers on usage of rain and grey water as well as food security. Beneficiaries also received training manuals in English and Xitsonga languages, enabling them to build and maintain the tower gardens and rainwater harvesting systems.
CSP supported Youth@SAIIA (the youth-led part of the South African Institute for International Affairs) in several events: The two-day COP29 Youth Dialogue & Climate Negotiations workshop (25-27 October 2024) with the objective to train youth in climate negotiations and drafting the COP29 Youth Statement. Support was also given to conduct Climate Careers Session to connect young people with climate experts and create career opportunities. Further, the event the SA YCAP Roadshow was supported, educating young people on climate policies, creating discussion spaces for localised environmental charters, empower young people to create climate policies and engage in environmental activism.
Climate risk profiles and climate action plans were developed for 22 priority human settlements and housing development areas (PHSHDA) and two intermediary cities in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, North-West, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga. The activity formed part of the implementation of the National Human Settlement Adaptation Plan aimed at building the capacity of municipalities to deal with and reduce the exposure of hydro-meteorological hazards and climate change impacts on human settlements in SA.

Latest Update:
06/2026