KZN municipalities struggle with climate change readiness

WEATHER EVENTS

- GCWALISILE KHANYILE [e-mail]

DESPITE all KwaZulu-Natal municipalities receiving climate change training, the majority of them still have a reactive stance to weather disasters.

This is according to KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, who previously warned that these municipalities are forgetting that prevention is better than a cure. He added that the exception was eThekwini Metro, which he said has demonstrated a thorough understanding of how to manage disasters linked to climate change.

"These municipalities fail to understand that prevention is better than a cure. Too often, they only respond when disasters such as floods, thunderstorms, or snow hit. This reactive approach is unacceptable," he stated.

He urged municipalities to actively participate in empowerment platforms such as the Climate Change Council.

"If they attend the Climate Change Council, they can gain the tools needed to mitigate the impact of climate change and empower their communities to be better prepared. To be forewarned is to be forearmed - and knowledge is their best defence," said Ntuli.

Turning to solutions, Ntuli stated that the Provincial Climate Change Implementation Plan is a key driver of both resilience and economic growth.