By Olympus Manthata, Head of Climate Finance at the Development Bank of Southern Africa

Climate change has become an urgent and pervasive challenge, with its impact keenly felt at the local level, especially within urban areas. Municipalities find themselves at the frontline of climate challenges, dealing with issues that are not abstract or remote but immediate and pressing. It is here, within the boundaries of our local communities, that we must implement a paradigm shift in our approach to climate finance.

Climate change knows no borders, but its impact is profoundly local, affecting both rural and urban communities. From extreme weather events to rising sea levels, municipalities face a relentless battle to protect their citizens and infrastructure. However, building resilience is not merely about reacting to these crises; it's about proactively preparing for them.

The imperative of climate resilience

In this context, the integration of resilience into municipal planning has emerged as an important approach to construct strong, adaptive communities capable of withstanding and recovering from climate-induced shocks and pressures. Resilience in this context goes beyond risk mitigation, it involves bolstering cities' capacities to adapt to new challenges while ensuring the well-being of communities and safeguarding natural resources.

Municipalities - the cornerstones of climate resilience

Municipalities possess a unique understanding of local dynamics and needs, and they play an important role in climate resilience efforts. As they take on the mantle of crafting climate-resilient urban environments, cities must develop comprehensive strategies that encompass various dimensions, including infrastructure resilience, safeguarding critical ecosystems, ensuring equitable access to resources, promoting sustainable urban development, and empowering communities to actively engage in the resilience-building process.

The challenge of funding climate resilience

One of the key hurdles faced by municipalities in their climate resilience endeavours is securing the significant funding needed to execute projects and programmes. While the benefits of resilience-building are evident, accessing climate finance can be a complex and daunting process. It requires a deep understanding of various financing mechanisms, the creation of robust business cases, and the establishment of partnerships with the private sector and other stakeholders to secure the necessary funding.

Addressing the key questions

To address these challenges and unlock the full potential of climate resilience, cities must consider several critical questions:

• Effective Integration - how can municipalities effectively integrate climate resilience into their urban planning to address the impacts of climate change on infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities?
• Success stories - could you share examples of cities or regions that have successfully implemented climate resilience strategies into their planning and have seen positive outcomes in terms of reduced vulnerability and enhanced adaptive capacity?
• Overcoming funding hurdles - what are the main challenges faced by municipalities in accessing climate finance for resilience-building projects, and how can these challenges be overcome?
• Innovative financing - in the context of limited financial resources, what innovative financing mechanisms or public-private partnerships can cities explore to fund climate-resilient initiatives?
• Community engagement - community engagement is crucial for the success of resilience projects. How can cities effectively involve and empower local communities, particularly vulnerable groups, in the planning and implementation of climate-resilient strategies?
• Tailoring resilience plans - as climate change impacts vary across regions, how can cities tailor their resilience plans to suit their specific geographical, social, and economic contexts?
• Learning from international collaboration - are there best practices or lessons learned from international collaboration and knowledge exchange that cities can use to strengthen their resilience planning?
• Ensuring continuity - climate resilience often involves long-term planning and intergenerational impacts. How can municipalities ensure continuity and commitment to these initiatives through changes in local leadership?
• Success in public-private partnerships - what are some successful examples of public-private partnerships in the climate resilience space, and what key factors contribute to the success of these collaborations?
• Flexibility in uncertain times - considering the uncertainties associated with climate change, how can cities develop flexible and adaptive resilience strategies that can evolve as new information and technologies emerge?

The DBSA's commitment

The Development Bank of Southern Africa is fully committed to this cause. Our climate finance initiatives are not mere transactions but long-term partnerships with municipalities. We work alongside local leaders to develop bankable projects that not only enhance climate resilience but also offer economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Conclusion

Climate resilience represents an opportunity for cities not only to protect their communities against climate change impacts but also to stimulate sustainable development. By aligning their strategies with national and international climate goals, municipalities can create a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive urban future that will benefit generations to come.

As we continue to navigate the uncertainties of climate change, cities must remain adaptable, leveraging technology and data to enhance their resilience strategies. Through successful public-private partnerships and a focus on co-benefits such as job creation and improved public health, municipalities can secure public support and attract investment to build a climate-resilient urban landscape.

Our journey toward a sustainable and climate-resilient future requires a delicate balance between short-term development objectives and long-term resilience goals. It's a path that calls for innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to a better, more resilient world.