Scaling up ecosystem-based approaches to managing climate-intensified disaster risks in vulnerable regions of South Africa ("Eco-DRR")

South Africa faces significant climate change challenges threatening water resources, agriculture, biodiversity and livelihoods. Droughts, extreme rainfall events, and wildfires have increased significantly over the past five decades. These climate hazards severely affect local livelihoods through reduced water availability, declining agricultural productivity, and a diminished capacity of natural ecosystems to buffer the effects of floods and droughts. The country faces limitations in coordination and capacity to implement ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) interventions at scale, sufficient resources, and inclusive community engagement.

To address these challenges, Eco-DRR offers integrated, nature-based solutions that restore and protect ecological infrastructure while reducing climate-related risks. By enhancing ecosystem resilience, these approaches help combat land degradation, support sustainable livelihoods and strengthen community capacity.

The project has three components: 1)  integrated landscape management to enhance the resilience of ecological infrastructure and climate-vulnerable communities in four district municipalities; 2) transformative disaster preparedness and response to reduce the adverse impacts of climate-induced hazards on built infrastructure and climate-vulnerable communities; and 3) creation of an enabling environment through a strengthened evidence base and improved learning and knowledge management to enhance private and public-sector investment in Eco-DRR.

The Eco-DRR project originated due to Readiness grant support and received support from the Project Preparation Facility (PPF) for detailed project design and feasibility work.