Climate change, largely driven by human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes, has led to a significant rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resulting in global warming and associated environmental changes. The global average surface temperature has already increased by about 1°C above pre-industrial levels and is projected to rise further, with Africa expected to warm at a rate higher than the global average.

The effects of climate change include extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, rising sea levels, and widespread environmental degradation. In South Africa (SA), this is compounded by a naturally arid climate, limited water resources, and land degradation, which threaten the country’s food production capacity. The degradation of land and water resources leads to reduced agricultural productivity, undermining food security and economic stability.