G20 Climate Risk Atlas: South Africa

This G20 Climate Risk Atlas factsheets sheds light on the risks faced by South Africa. The G20 Climate Risk Atlas is the contribution of the CMCC Foundation – Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change to ensuring attentive and well-informed climate action. The G20 Climate Risk Atlas provides a comprehensive picture of the historical trends and future changes in climate, using available literature and data, and consolidating country-specific information within a homogenous and flexible structure. The information reported derives from enhanced intercomparison modelling exercises, data analysis, the use of indicators, and surveys of the most recent scientific literature, including published peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, and open access material from Horizon 2020 projects.

The G20 Climate Risk Atlas represents a science-based tool that can support decision-making processes and the planning of required policies. However, the Atlas also opens the door, not only to decision-makers and stakeholders, but also to the general public, creating a participatory and iterative process which can be used to increase public awareness on climate issues. The Atlas was published when the G20 country representatives met in Italy. Only committed and timely mitigation and adaptation actions can limit the intensification of extreme events, the destruction of ecosystems, infrastructure and populations, and in the process enable people to benefit from a better and more equitable future.