Report on Climate Change, Food Insecurity, and Sustainable Development Goals in South Africa

1.0 The Climate-Induced Threat to Food Security

Rising global temperatures are exacerbating food insecurity in South Africa, directly challenging the nation’s progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary issue stems from climate change-induced reductions in rainfall, which are projected to have severe consequences for the agricultural sector.

• Agricultural production is forecast to decline by as much as 50% by the year 2050.
• This decline threatens to worsen an existing crisis, where one in five South Africans already experiences food insecurity, a direct contradiction of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• The staple crop, maize, faces a projected 25% increase in yield variability by 2050, with prices already escalating by 30% annually due to climate impacts.

2.0 Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The agricultural crisis has cascading effects across multiple SDGs, undermining socio-economic stability and human well-being.

2.1 SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

• Agricultural productivity growth is noted as being two to three times more effective at reducing poverty than growth in other sectors.
• Rising food prices disproportionately impact low-income households. Research indicates a 1% increase in food prices can cause a 20% decline in household welfare, severely impeding efforts to achieve SDG 1 (No Poverty).
• The crisis jeopardizes South Africa’s national goal of creating one million new agricultural jobs by 2030, hindering progress on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Rural areas, which are highly dependent on agriculture, face deepening poverty.

2.2 SDG 13 (Climate Action) and Related Impacts

• The core driver of the crisis is a failure to meet the objectives of SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• Climate change manifests not only as reduced rainfall and higher temperatures but also as an increased frequency of extreme weather events.
• These events, including severe floods and prolonged droughts, damage crops, livestock, and critical infrastructure, disrupting agricultural supply chains.

2.3 SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education)

• Decreased household welfare due to high food costs directly limits access to basic human rights.
• Families are increasingly unable to afford healthcare, undermining SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
• Access to education is also compromised, creating barriers to achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education).

3.0 Strategic Interventions and Solutions Aligned with SDGs

Addressing this complex challenge requires a multi-faceted approach that integrates climate adaptation with sustainable development strategies. According to Roscoe van Wyk, a research fellow at Stellenbosch Business School, a new approach is essential to ensure more people have access to adequate, affordable, and nutritious food.

1. Policy and Agricultural Support

   A new strategic framework is required to support the agricultural sector, focusing on:

   • Integrating enterprise development with climate adaptation strategies.
   • Increased support from government and corporate entities to build resilience.

2. Innovation for Climate Resilience (SDG 9)

   Technological and biological innovations are critical for adapting the agricultural sector to new climate realities.

   • Developing and deploying heat- and drought-resistant crop varieties.

3. Promoting Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)

   Consumer and community actions can contribute significantly to a more sustainable food system.

   • Supporting local and small-scale farms to reduce transport emissions and food storage needs.
   • Reducing food waste through smarter shopping and creative use of leftovers.
   • Adopting more plant-based diets, which are often more affordable and have a lower environmental footprint, thereby contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article connects rising food prices directly to a decrease in household welfare, stating that a 1% increase in food prices leads to a 20% fall in welfare. This impacts the ability of low-income individuals to afford basic needs like healthcare and education, exacerbating poverty, particularly in rural areas dependent on agriculture.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  This is a central theme, as the article focuses on the threat of climate change to South Africa’s food security. It highlights that “1 in 5” people are already affected by food insecurity, and reduced agricultural production (a projected 50% decline by 2050) and rising costs of staple foods like maize directly threaten the goal of ending hunger.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article mentions South Africa’s national goal to create “1 million new agricultural jobs” by 2030 and foster an “integrated and inclusive rural economy.” It emphasizes that productivity growth in agriculture is highly effective at reducing poverty, linking the sector’s health to economic growth and employment.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The entire problem described in the article is framed as a consequence of climate change. It explicitly cites “rising global temperatures,” “reduced rainfall,” and an “increasing incidence of extreme weather events” as the primary drivers of declining crop yields, infrastructure damage, and food supply chain disruptions, necessitating climate adaptation strategies.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of people living in poverty. The article’s discussion of how rising food prices push people into poverty and reduce household welfare directly relates to this target.
   • Target 1.5: Build the resilience of the poor to climate-related extreme events and economic shocks. The article highlights the vulnerability of the poor to climate impacts like droughts and floods, as well as to food price shocks, and calls for adaptation strategies.

2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food. The article directly addresses this by describing the existing food insecurity affecting 1 in 5 South Africans and the need for “access to adequate, affordable and nutritious food.”
   • Target 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The article mentions the importance of small, subsistence farms, the need to improve overall productivity, and the benefits of supporting small farms by shopping locally.
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices. The call for “a new approach… that integrates enterprise development and climate adaptation strategies” and the development of “heat- and drought-resistant produce” directly align with this target.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. This is directly supported by the stated goal of creating “1 million new agricultural jobs” by 2030.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards. The article’s focus on the impacts of extreme weather and the need for adaptation strategies, such as developing resilient crops and new agricultural approaches, is central to this target.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Prevalence of Food Insecurity

   The article states that food insecurity is “an issue already affecting 1 in 5” people in South Africa. This statistic serves as a direct baseline indicator for Target 2.1 (End hunger).

2. Agricultural Production and Yields

   The article provides specific negative projections that can be used as indicators to track. These include a “reduction [in agricultural] production [by] 50% by 2050” and a “25% increase in maize… yield variability.” Monitoring these figures would measure progress towards Target 2.4 (Sustainable food production).

3. Food Prices

   The mention that the cost of maize “is now jumping by 30% each year” is a key indicator of food affordability and economic shocks, relevant to Target 1.5 (Build resilience of the poor) and Target 2.1 (Access to food).

4. Job Creation in Agriculture

   The stated goal of creating “1 million new agricultural jobs” by 2030 is a clear, quantifiable indicator for measuring progress towards Target 8.5 (Full and productive employment).

5. Household Welfare vs. Food Prices

   The research finding that “if food prices rise 1%, household welfare falls by 20%” provides a specific metric to measure the economic impact of food insecurity on poverty, relevant to Target 1.2 (Reduce poverty).

6. Incidence of Extreme Weather Events

   The article mentions the “rising incidence of extreme weather events such as less frequent but heavier rainfall leading to floods, interspersed with longer, harsher periods of drought.” Tracking the frequency and intensity of these events serves as an indicator for Target 13.1 (Strengthen resilience).

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thecooldown.com