Durban: SiltaNews – News Desk
In a new step towards bolstering South Africa’s climate resilience, the eThekwini Municipality has formally launched its Municipal Forum for Climate Change at the Durban International Convention Centre. The new platform is designed to coordinate implementation of the Durban Climate Change Strategy, advance the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, and ensure that climate action reaches communities most at risk.
The initiative reinforces the city’s alignment with the Climate Change Act, No. 22 of 2024, signed into law earlier this year. Local authorities describe the forum as a crucial mechanism for reducing climate impacts and strengthening preparedness amid escalating weather-related risks. This is reported by DUrbanTV, a partner of TV BRICS.
The forum unites representatives from civil society, traditional leadership structures, academia, youth groups, and other stakeholders to guide both mitigation and adaptation efforts. The emphasis, officials say, is on safeguarding vulnerable households and improving long-term resilience.
According to national climate officials, the new platform is vital for ensuring coordination across government structures. A senior representative from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment noted that the Climate Change Act provides a clear framework for joint action.
The launch also featured briefings from national and provincial authorities, outlining how statutory requirements will translate into municipal-level action. Participants received an overview of Durban’s ongoing climate initiatives, signalling the start of a strengthened, collaborative approach to climate governance across the region.