Evaluation of the 2014 Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy

Global climate change is becoming an ever-clearer and more pressing reality. The Western Cape is no exception, and is facing significant climate change impacts, including:

• Higher maximum temperatures, more hot days, and more frequent and intense heat waves (which raises the fire risk)
• Fewer rainy days in autumn and summer
• More frequent storms, with shorter bouts of high-intensity rainfall; and stronger, longer-lasting coastal storms (raising the risks to infrastructure).

The Western Cape government developed and adopted the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy (WCCCRS) in 2014, along with an implementation framework, based on the earlier 2008 Response Strategy & Action Plan, developed by OneWorld  – click here to view. 

The Project

OneWorld evaluated both the design and implementation of the 2014 WCCCRS, using a combined Theory of Change and Adaptation Pathways evaluation methodology.

The evaluation methodology involved an extensive participatory process, including key informant interviews and focus group discussions with the Western Cape Government (WCG) Departments, the City of Cape Town, national government and key external stakeholders.

The findings

The findings, coupled with an extensive literature review and benchmarking assessment of climate change policy implementation at national and international level, point to the gaps and opportunities for scaling up ambition, innovation and acceleration in the next iteration of the strategy. The Evaluation Report includes mechanisms for improving the design of the Strategy to support greater progress to achieving transformational change.