SANBI secures major climate adaptation funding to protect South Africa’s most vulnerable communities

South Africa is set to benefit from a grant of USD 40.1million (over R700 million*) from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to assist in the country’s climate change adaptation efforts. 

This landmark investment will support the implementation of the project called, ‘Scaling up ecosystem-based approaches to managing climate intensified disaster risks in vulnerable regions of South Africa’, or the Eco-DRR project.

The GCF Board met in Papua New Guinea on 1 July 2025, to ratify funding for the Eco-DRR project which will span 8 years and is expected to have a 20-year impact on the communities in which it will be implemented. The project will directly benefit around 366,000 people and reach more than 5.1 million South Africans indirectly, particularly those living in areas most affected by floods, droughts, and wildfires.

‘The increasing frequency of floods, droughts and wildfires pose a serious threat to South Africa’s communities, especially those in rural and peri-urban areas,’ said Minister Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. ‘This investment will support our efforts to strengthen ecological infrastructure, reduce disaster risk, and build adaptive capacity where it is needed most.’

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) will execute this project in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and four climate-vulnerable District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West Provinces. The lessons that emerge will be applied to climate change adaptation responses across the country.

This investment will deliver far-reaching benefits for South Africans, especially those living in areas most vulnerable to climate change impacts such as floods, droughts, and wildfires. By restoring and protecting critical ecosystems such as catchments, wetlands, and forests, the project will reduce communities’ exposure to extreme weather events, enhance water security, and promote sustainable, nature-based livelihoods. Importantly, the project will also empower local governments and communities through training and resources to lead disaster preparedness and climate adaptation efforts.

SANBI’s accreditation as a Direct Access Entity of the Green Climate Fund gives South Africa a strategic advantage in accessing global climate finance. This means that  resources are available to support local priorities and needs, build institutional capacity, and ensure that climate change adaptation is driven by South Africans, for South Africans. This accreditation enables SANBI to ensure that resources are channelled efficiently into projects that address national priorities. As a result, South Africa is better positioned to strengthen institutional capacity, advance climate change adaptation goals, and deliver tangible benefits to communities most affected by climate change.

‘The role of biodiversity in South Africa’s response to climate change is at the heart of this project,’ said Shonisani Munzhedzi, CEO of SANBI. ‘Healthy ecosystems act as natural buffers against climate extremes, protecting lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods. This project represents a major step forward in climate adaptation financing for South Africa.’

SANBI’s accreditation as a Direct Access Entity of the Green Climate Fund since 2016 has positioned it to lead projects like this, unlocking international climate finance while advancing national priorities and strengthening institutional capacity. Notably, SANBI and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) are the only South African institutions accredited by the GCF.

The Eco-DRR project is part of SANBI’s broader climate adaptation portfolio and contributes directly to the Green Climate Fund's Targeted Results for 2024-2027, for ecosystems and food systems. It promotes integrated, locally driven, and gender-responsive development, paving the way for a more resilient, climate-adaptive future for South Africa. Implementing the Eco-DRR project also supports the implementation of the Climate Change Act.