Planet Earth is in the Anthropocene, an era during which we as a species have had a substantial impact on our only habitat. Despite the denialism and counter-information, we are in a new geological age characterised by the dominance of human activity reshaping the planet’s systems, disrupting climates patterns, altering water cycles, and straining ecosystems whilst recalibrating economic spaces and decimating human settlements.
One area that everyone is paying attending to is water. Water, which remains a common dominator in the just transition, due to its multifaceted role in climate change mitigation, and its significance in adaptation strategies.
In many places, our water management architecture suffers from fragmentation and uneven implementation, inequitable resource allocation and chronic capacity constraints. As an example, South Africa’s Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs), which provide 50% of the country’s surface water from only 10% of the land, suffer from weak coordination among institutions.
To address our challenges, we need to place water resources at the heart of all planning and ensure that any decisions taken that rely on the steady supply of water, both in quantitative and qualitative terms are done with current crisis in mind.
Water is an environmental, economic, and social imperative
While climate pressures are global, resilience is built locally within the daily decisions, trust networks, and adaptive capacities of communities. Effective management of our water is vital to securing South Africa’s economic stability. We have better odds of success through fostering shared responsibility and collaboration across scales to enhances our collective capacity to safeguard ecosystems.
Building resilience requires that we manage our natural resources in a way that acknowledges the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and social systems through polycentric governance spreads responsibility and authority across a range of formal and informal institutions.
This approach allows for water challenges to be tackled in ways that are flexible, inclusive, and suited to local contexts – all essential qualities for managing the frequent shocks and stresses caused by climate change and other hazards.
Crucially, it recognises that progress in water security and resilience to shocks depends not only on technical innovation and infrastructure but also on strong social support systems, trust, and adaptive capacity among diverse stakeholders.
A more effective approach calls for sustained effort across all of society to improve collective wellbeing. Local and regional authorities, the private sector, civil society, and traditional leaders must collaborate, sharing knowledge and resources. When effective governance builds social trust and reduces inequity, it increases the ability of all stakeholders to act together.
This greater capacity leads to better water and broader environmental management, more efficient spending and service delivery, and creating a reinforcement loop where improved social trust further strengthens our ability to respond to new challenges.
Environmental degradation harms both human and ecosystem health, while poor service delivery undermines livelihoods and economic growth. This combination worsens inequality and weakens trust and government effectiveness, creating a downward spiral.
Actions for effective climate- smart water governance and sustainable use
Building resilience in water systems requires moving from reactive crisis management to proactive, risk-informed planning that supports long-term development. Initiatives combining community-led planning, participatory modelling and scenario building, and cross-sector collaboration have improved technical systems while building lasting partnerships, stewardships, and social cohesion.
This shift is essential to balance the protection of ecosystems with the need for equitable and reliable water access for various users.
To address the water crisis, we must take leaf from numerous pilot projects in rural South Africa which have shown what can be achieved. Initiatives combining community-led planning, participatory modelling and scenario building, and cross-sector collaboration have demonstrated improved technical systems while building lasting partnerships, stewardships, and social cohesion.
To accelerate the shift toward climate-smart water governance, South Africa must take decisive and coordinated action on multiple fronts. This includes strengthening legal and institutional frameworks to improve alignment and coordination across different levels of government and society, while empowering inclusive multi-stakeholder platforms where communities actively co-design adaptive management strategies.
Building local capacity is essential so that municipalities and communities are equipped, trusted, and authorised to manage adaptively and respond effectively to climate shocks. Supporting local innovation hubs and pilot projects will further promote the adoption of context-appropriate water-saving technologies and climate adaptation tools at the grassroots level. Mobilising climate finance that directly supports community priorities and renewable, decentralised solutions in vulnerable areas is equally critical.
In parallel, bridging science and society through research and learning that integrates ecological, technical, and social knowledge can help shape more effective governance models. Investing in education campaigns and communication strategies will raise community awareness of water challenges, climate risks, and the importance of collective governance. Finally, institutionalising long-term monitoring and evaluation frameworks will ensure governance actions remain effective over time by incorporating feedback for continuous learning and adaptive improvement
South Africa’s move to a sustainable, climate-resilient water future depends on overcoming fragmented, siloed approaches. By rooting governance in cooperation, mutual accountability, and the reinforcing links between social trust, equity, and adaptive capacity, it is possible to break out of cycles of crisis and chronic vulnerability.
Dr Shafick Adams is a Senior Research Manager – Water Research Commission; Commissioner – Presidential Climate Commission.
*** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or .
BUSINESS REPORT
