Most economies in Southern Africa are based on sectors that are vulnerable to climate change.  The increasing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events are often linked to the impacts of climate change. The €8 million GCCA+ programme is supporting these countries to address the risks of aggravated impacts of climate change that could lead to severe food insecurity, increased unemployment and poverty, reduced economic growth, and other social stresses primarily affecting the most vulnerable communities.

GCCA+ will act through the following actions:

• Strengthen the capacity of SADC Member States (MS) to undertake regional and national adaptation and mitigation actions in response to the challenges caused by the effects of global climate change and climate variability;
• Facilitate implementation of the provisions of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in SADC MS;
• Facilitate sharing of knowledge and experience with other ACP regional organisations, including South-South cooperation;
• Assist to design and implement pilot projects on adaptation in 5 MS; and
• Support universities and research centres from the SADC region to develop innovative solutions to climate change challenges.

Achieving longer-term transformational changes requires a holistic approach that includes capacity development to improve the level of access to climate finance facilities and effectively use climate information for adaptation initiatives.

Up to date, the GCCA+ has implemented several pilot projects in different SADC countries that aim to harness climate-smart agriculture practices to reduce the impacts of climate change in Southern Africa. These include innovative practices like hydroponic farming, using solar panels to power water pumps from boreholes and river restoration plans.