Partnering for a Climate-Smart KwaZulu-Natal

On 15–16 August 2025, during the Climate Change Workshop in KwaZulu-Natal, PAMSA’s executive director, Jane Molony, joined the Honourable Premier, Mr Thamsanqa Ntuli, where she was invited to speak on the topic Climate Change and the Economy. The first session mainly focused on laying the foundation for the KwaZulu-Natal Climate Resilience Action Plan. Key discussions included aligning the draft action plan with ongoing government activities, emphasising ambitious provincial-level climate actions, and ensuring relevance to the local socio-economic context.

The workshop aimed to discuss the following:

• Develop a common understanding and define key strategic priorities.
• Facilitate discussions to establish a cohesive approach to addressing climate change.
• Identify the primary areas of focus for the next five years, ensuring alignment with both national and international climate commitments.
• Enhance collaboration among stakeholders, including government, academia, civil society, traditional leaders, and the private sector.
• Increase the participation of all stakeholders, particularly vulnerable communities, in decision-making and the implementation of climate initiatives.

The strategy document, presented by Dr Fikile Ndlovu, the Deputy Director General of the office of the Premier, highlighted afforestation along with necessary ecosystem considerations as a priority. The planting of trees is not only a critical environmental initiative but also an important economic contributor to the province, as approximately 25-30% of forestry landholdings are set aside for biodiversity conservation.

PAMSA members – Sappi, Mondi, Mpact, and Corruseal – collectively contribute around R30 billion annually to KwaZulu-Natal’s economy, underscoring the sector’s role in balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.

The second day saw the focus shift toward refining resolution-oriented strategies and developing actionable steps, with emphasis on knowledge management and data-driven decision-making. Of course, we need to monitor progress. “The discussions highlighted the importance of climate-smart governance, community capacity building, and ensuring that our resilience planning is both evidence-based and participatory,” said Jane. “We concluded the day with a strong commitment to operationalising the plan and embedding climate resilience measures into our provincial development priorities.”