LOCALIZING GLOBAL CLIMATE COMMITMENTS
CHALLENGES FOR MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH AFRICAN CITIES
Keywords:
climate adaptation, marginalized communities, global–national–local policy alignment, climate finance, urban resilience.Abstract
This paper examines the challenges of localising global climate commitments, specifically the Paris Agreement,
within South Africa’s marginalised informal settlements. Employing a Global–National–Local analytical framework,
the study explores how international agreements are translated into national policies, such as South Africa’s Updated
Nationally Determined Contributions (2021) and the Climate Change Act 22 of 2024, and subsequently implemented at
the municipal level. Through qualitative content analysis of policy documents, implementation reports, and academic
literature, the study identifies key barriers, including persistent policy fragmentation, the uneven allocation of climate
finance (often misaligned with local needs), and limited institutionalisation of participatory governance in adaptation
planning. While national policies advocate for urban resilience, poor implementation often leaves informal settlements
behind. The paper concludes with actionable recommendations for bridging this divide, including enhancing multilevel
coordination, allocating dedicated adaptation finance for informal settlements, and institutionalising communityled planning. These strategies aim to align global climate ambitions and equitable local outcomes.
