2 Climate change challenges over the next three decades 14 3 The regulatory system in relation to climate change 18 4 Overview of climate change research and technology development. 6 Technology development for climate change adaptation and mitigation 52 6.1 Actors in the South African technology development landscape 53 6.2 Metrics of climate-related technology development 57.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- Ensure inclusion of critical information in future biennial reports in order to provide a comprehensive and consistent ongoing assessment of the status of
- Fully use the opportunities for South African researchers and tech- nology developers to access international funding sources
- Provide financial and diplomatic support to South African scientists involved in high-level international assessment and research bodies and committees
- Provide high-level, cross-departmental support for open research, including open data
- Strengthen links between research and business communities
- Take steps to enable more effective interdisciplinary and multi- disciplinary research, in particular by more effective engagement of social sciences
- Strengthen research collaborations in climate change science and technology with African countries
An overview of the legislative framework within which climate change research and technology development takes place is also given. It is also partly due to poor coupling between the research and development elements in the South African system (the developed ideas are poorly adapted to the needs of the market and society, and good ideas are not identified and then nurtured and maintained through the long and expensive development process).
1 INTRODUCTION
6 An analysis of the extent to which climate change/adaptation responses are informed by research results/outcomes. It provides information on current actors, institutions, programmes, funding and activities in order to build a comprehensive overview of the K&TD climate change landscape in South Africa.
2 CLIMATE CHANGE
CHALLENGES OVER THE NEXT THREE DECADES
Over the next 35 years, between approximately 2016 and mid-century, the following significant changes are expected to occur in the South African climate system and in the technological environment that affects or is affected by climate.
Southern Africa will be hotter in all places and drier in most
More extreme weather and floods
Reduced use of fossil fuels
Impact of these trends on research and technology activity
3 THE REGULATORY
SYSTEM AS IT RELATES TO CLIMATE CHANGE
These laws, policies, strategies and plans highlight the need for climate change science R&D across a wide range of sectors; and provide mechanisms to facilitate research and technology development and initiate increased investment in these activities. In addition, they promote innovation, the use of technology and the advancement of human development and economic goals through scientific research and technology-based responses to climate change.
4 OVERVIEW OF THE
CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH
AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION SYSTEM
Funders
South Africa's funders consist of national state ministries, with budget allocations for research and technology development, part of which goes to climate change. South African expenditure on research related to climate change is approximately 1.7% of Gross National Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) (HSRC, 2014), a figure broadly in line with the range of developed countries (Table 4 -2).
Research and technology development performers
Users of climate-related research and technology development
Private sector research users are concerned about the impacts of climate change on supply chains (e.g. agricultural products or water for power generation and industry) and the risks associated with extreme events (a particular concern in the insurance and financial sectors) . Among civil society organizations, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF-SA) has long been active as a financier, provider and user of climate information, as an advocate for adaptation and mitigation, and as a key knowledge broker for the private sector, and Oxfam has been active in area of climate impacts on poverty and human well-being.
5 CLIMATE CHANGE
RESEARCH IN SOUTH AFRICA
Institutions conducting research on climate change in South Africa
- Universities
- Science councils and programmes coordinated by them
Universities collectively produced 86% of South Africa's climate change publications over the period 2006-2015. Listed below are university research centers (Table 5-1) and research chairs (Table 5-2) focused on climate change.
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
State-affiliated scientific councils conduct mostly application-oriented research ('contract research') on behalf of government departments and the private sector, with a small component of non-directed ('basic') research. Together, they contributed about 12% of the recorded published results on climate change in South Africa; to which CSIR contributed 6%, SANBI 4%, ARC 1% and SAWS 1%, with minor contributions from the Geosciences Council, MRC, HSRC, Mintek, South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and others.
Applied Centre for Climate and Earth Systems Science (ACCESS)
South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
South African Weather Service (SAWS)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Other science councils
Private sector and state-owned enterprises
It has an active climate change department, which focuses mainly on information brokering rather than research. Institutions associated with the private sector produced virtually no discoverable publications in the open, peer-reviewed literature, and NGOs produced only a handful.
Collaborations, networks and co-production
South African and multinational companies working towards sustainable growth and development in South Africa and shaping a sustainable future through corporate responsibility represent major industry players. The key deliverables from these bodies are proprietary (and include technology demonstrations), or take the form of application-oriented reports in the 'grey literature', which are not visible to bibliometric studies.
Future Earth
ICSU Regional Office for Africa (ROA)
Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Use (SASSCAL)
African Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ACCAI)
European Union (FP7 and Horizon 2020)
The pattern of international links
- Research outputs 2005-2015
- Production of postgraduate students
- Representation of South African researchers in international bodies
- Priorities for future research
- The interface between climate science, policy, the economy and society
The Second National Communication (DEA, 2009, 2nd National Communication, 2011) reported that the number of researchers and the number of peer-reviewed publications produced in South Africa remained static between 1999 and 2009. Each sector affected by climate change or dealing with mitigation and/or adaptation considerations has their own specific priorities for research over the next five to ten years.
6 TECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND
Actors in the South African technology development landscape
Department of Science and Technology (DST)
The following section describes the main role players in the field of climate change-related TD. Within the specific area of diffusion of technologies related to climate change, DST uses several instruments.
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
DST has two flagship technology programs with some relevance to climate change R&D, but since climate is not their primary focus, they have been excluded from the accounts: the flagship Waste and the flagship Water Innovation and Development. Climate change-related technology and the promotion of the green economy are both prioritized within TIA.
South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)
Within TIA, TD is funded through the Technology Advancement Program (TAP) and the Missions in Technology (MiTech) program. It should be noted that TIA is not intended to be the 'end point' of the technology development pipeline.
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
TIA's Office of Commercialization assists businesses with technology commercialization and uses a 'Seed Fund' to help product developers or start-ups progress from prototypes to commercialization. From here they are intended to be taken up by public or private sector funding bodies, such as the Industrial Development Corporation or venture capitalists, and by private sector corporations.
Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA)
Eskom
Sasol
Water Research Commission (WRC)
Universities
Metrics of climate-related technology development
It is also due to the poor linkage between the research and development elements of the South African system (the ideas developed in the research domain may be poorly aligned with market and societal needs, and good ideas are not implemented in the right stage identified and then nurtured and nurtured. supported through the development process). Much decision-making about impact and adaptation depends on projections of the local climate into the future.
Technology development priorities
The suitability of technology for use in different socio-economic contexts in South Africa, particularly in relation to rural and informal settlement communities and the adoption of climate smart technologies. Identifying barriers to the deployment of efficient energy supply and use is an important aspect of technology transfer in the energy sector.
Gaps and barriers in the R&TD value chain
Given the coal-based history of energy supply in South Africa and the need to shift to a less carbon-intensive economy, technologies related to energy are of great interest. The connection between South African technology developers and world players (gap 5) can be improved.
7 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- Summary of key findings
- Recommendations for the period 2017 to 2019 (and beyond)
- Ensure that future biennial reports include the critical information needed to provide a comprehensive ongoing assessment of the status of climate change
- Fully use all the opportunities for South African researchers and technology developers to access international funding sources
- Strengthen links between research (academic) and business com- munities
- Take steps to enable more effective interdisciplinary and multidisci- plinary research, in particular by more effective engagement of social sciences
1 The climate change scientific research community in South Africa is productive, internationally respected and growing. Bilateral RTD agreements with African countries should explicitly include science and technology cooperation on climate change where this is not already the case.
Coastal and Environmental Services, 2011: Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs Eastern Cape Climate Change Response Strategy. Prepared for the Province of the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, March 2011.
APPENDICES
TERMS OF REFERENCE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
PREPARATION OF THE FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT TO CABINET ON THE STATE OF CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTH AFRICA
1 Background
2 Rationale
3 Scope and extent of work
An analysis of research needs and priorities from national, provincial and municipal climate change/adaptation plans and strategies. An analysis of the extent to which climate change/adaptation responses are informed by research results/outcomes.
4 Expected deliverables
An analysis of the extent to which technology programs and initiatives are informed by research needs and priorities from national, provincial and municipal climate change/adaptation plans and strategies.
5 Contract duration and management
6 Contacts
REPORT BY THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE OF SOUTH AFRICA - “THE
Executive summary
The development and application of green technologies in the transport sector are therefore an important strategy. There are many barriers that hinder innovation and more effective implementation of green technologies in South Africa.
1 Policy certainty and policy coherence
The development of an evaluation framework for measuring the implementation of green technologies is discussed in Chapter 9. Finally, in Chapter 10, the key findings are summarized and a consolidated set of nine recommendations aimed at promoting the implementation and development of green technologies in South Africa is provided.
2 Implementer and developer roles
The six principles that reflect the broad objectives of green technology deployment in the South African context have been identified as: fostering economic growth; creation of employment opportunities;. These are: increasing financial investment in research and development (R&D) to improve opportunities for the development and dissemination of green technologies; developing the necessary skills and capabilities to promote innovation and provide a knowledge and skills base to facilitate the use of green technologies;
3 Creation of an ‘entrepreneurial state’
The approach is based on the Principles, Criteria and Indicators (PC&I) framework, from which a robust set of input and output indicators can be developed through a consultative process. To ensure that these goals are achieved, a set of criteria or managerial principles are identified.
4 Skills transfer and innovation capacity
5 Focus on the market
6 Alignment with South Africa’s development needs
7 Development of indicators
8 Green technology hubs
9 Systematic evaluations of failed or discontinued projects
PEOPLE AND INSTITUTIONS CONSULTED IN PREPARING THIS REPORT, AND
2 Methodology
Synthesis of climate change research finance
Stakeholder engagement
Interviews
1 What should be the South African climate change-related research and technological development priorities in the next 5-10 years. Similar points raised repeatedly across the sample became the dominant themes reported on regarding future research priorities, research-policy interface, research collaboration and the main challenges in tackling climate change R&D.
Questionnaire
Policy and instrument review
A wide range of documents was collected as the basis of a comprehensive synthesis and assessment of the regulatory framework enabling climate change research in South Africa. In addition, information available online and in organizational reports was collected, synthesized and evaluated in order to provide an overview of the international and national instruments that facilitate climate change research and to which a range of African actors contribute. South in the arena of climate change.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES OF PANEL MEMBERS
RJ (Bob) Scholes
Roseanne Diab
Jane Olwoch
PROCEDURE AND
KEYWORDS USED FOR THE BIBLIOMETRIC SURVEY OF CLIMATE CHANGE
RESEARCH AND SUMMARY OF INTERVIEW RESULTS
Procedure for survey of journal and book publications
In addition, distribution rates were estimated to determine to what degree the citation rate is concentrated in a few top-level papers. 9 Co-authorships were examined to determine which countries/institutions South African researchers collaborate with and to determine which South African institutions work together on climate change research.
Procedure for survey of Masters and Doctoral dissertations
8 Rates for the distribution of citations were evaluated to determine whether the overall (average) citation rate for South African author articles is higher or lower than the average for these journals for all authors.
Climate system
South African topic search terms
State of Climate Change Science and Technology (peat OR peat) AND climate*. phytoplankton OR plankton) AND climate*. population system” OR “ecological system*”) AND climate*. Carbon sequestration South* Africa AND climate topography* AND land use climate AND climate carbon sequestration Climate system models.
Summary of interview data
1 Characteristics of research outputs Theme 1: Research products are varied
A variety of forms of research output are needed to respond to the diversity of climate change stakeholders
2 Priorities for future research
- A focus on adaptation is now needed
- Thematic research areas
- Data
- Building research capacity
Interdependence of the effects of climate change causes changes in one system to affect changes in other systems. As with many areas, there is a need to build sufficient capacity for climate change research.
3 The science-policy-practice interface
- There is a strong linkage between the policymakers and implementers and the researcher community
- Challenges related to science-policy relationships
- Need for an increased role of scientific engagement in regulation
- POLICIES AND
This plays an important role in the effectiveness of climate change research to provide appropriate and successful responses on the ground (2). A further step in science-policy engagement should be made in the area of regulation as a tool for policy implementation (1).
REGULATIONS PERTINENT TO CLIMATE RESEARCH
Overview of national policies governing climate change science and technology
- Broad South African policy frameworks and strategies
- Environmental and climate change specific policy, legislation and strategies
- Sector-based policies related to climate science research and technology
As such, the Act provides an enabling context for climate change research and technology development. Two flagship programs related to science research and technology on climate change are listed in the plan.
Energy
This Institute is required by the Act to promote energy research and technology development by conducting, supporting and monitoring energy-related research. These concerns form an energy-related planning framework for research and science and technology development, use options and supply.
Water
The 2016 IRP update is focused on presenting the assumptions on which future energy planning depends and the basis from which policy guides future energy sector configurations and actions. Published by the National Treasury, the policy paper discusses the introduction of a tax on carbon emissions as part of the combination of market-based and regulatory measures needed to facilitate climate change mitigation.
Agriculture
One of the other priorities focused on building resilience in agriculture notes the need for research into technology that promotes water, nutrient and soil conservation. As noted in Sector 1.6.5 of the draft plan, there is also the availability of the Climate Change Sector Plan for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (2013), which serves as a guide to climate change response that includes considerations of research.
Buildings
For example, in relation to research focused on monitoring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the draft plan strongly encourages that DAFF should “vigorously pursue latent opportunities to become part of existing global research alliances and to leverage alliances and new international partnerships. as a means of increasing the benefits to the sector in carrying out the tasks required to meet climate change obligations under the UNFCCC” (p. 51). The draft plan references a number of existing research papers and research-related initiatives being undertaken on climate change and agriculture, such as the Climate Change Atlas and the South African Agricultural Sector: A 2010 Perspective (Schulze, 2011).
Waste
Skills Development
Following the National Skills Development Act and in response to the objectives of the New Growth Path, the National Skills Accord (2011) states commitments from national stakeholders to support and promote skills training and development in the country, particularly in the areas of craft skills and technical skills. vocations. Furthermore, the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS III) was introduced in 2011 as a national strategy to guide skills development between 2011 and 2016.
National economic policy that frames climate change science research and technology
Policy for climate change-related technological development
This creates an enabling environment in which climate change-relevant technological development can be deployed. The plan enables innovation primarily through five Grand Challenges, one of which is specifically about global change science with a focus on climate change.
Discussion
TIA is institutionalized as a national public entity with the primary role of promoting the development and utilization of discoveries, new technologies and innovations within the country. This agenda has implications for climate change research and technology as the funding mechanisms, institutional programs and research support prioritized within the plan can be used in the field of climate change scientific research and technology development and provides opportunities to support and grow intellectuals, people and South African knowledge capacities in this regard.
CLIMATE CHANGE R&TD INSTRUMENTS
- International instruments
The Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) was appointed as the national project agency for the GEF in 2014 (Green Fund Report, no date). South Africa has also been named as one of Future Earth's two regional offices in Africa.
2 South African funding instruments
Bilateral agreements
Through these projects, international researchers have been hosted with South African universities to undertake collaborative research related to climate change or South African researchers have been overseas to work with foreign researchers. These projects are typically funded on a three-year funding cycle, with most bilateral research funding awarded to collaborative projects between South Africa and the African countries of Namibia, Kenya, Mozambique and Angola.
Discussion/Conclusion
REVIEW OF THE DST-NRF APPLIED CENTRE FOR CLIMATE AND
There is widespread recognition among ACCESS actors and stakeholders of the value of ACCESS's training and capacity development efforts. Progress on the information brokerage and service delivery aspects of ACCESS has been very limited.
Extracted from
