Climate change and extreme heat: strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE)

doi:10.17159/assaf.2026/125

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Abstract (English) : The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), through its Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE), has released a landmark consensus study titled Climate Change and Extreme Heat: Strengthening Resilience and Adaptive Capacity in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Initiated in 2023 and funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the study responds to the transboundary nature of climate change amid high cross border movement of people, goods, and services and calls for cohesive climate planning across SADC member states. Extreme heat emerges in the report as an “integrator hazard” that amplifies droughts, wildfires, air pollution, and pressures on water, energy, health, and food systems, as well as on urban environments and ecosystems. Against a backdrop of global warming—19 of the world’s 20 hottest years since 2000 and five fold more frequent record breaking monthly temperatures—the SADC region faces intensified risks exacerbated by structural vulnerabilities, including outdoor dominated labour, rapid urbanisation, and strained health systems. The study documents acute impacts on vulnerable groups: pregnant women experience higher rates of stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight; infants and children face thermoregulatory challenges; and older adults incur the highest heat related mortality. Labour market conditions further increase exposure, as agriculture, construction, mining, transport, and informal trading employ up to 80–90% of workers in some SADC states, often without adequate heat protection. Heat related effects include exhaustion, heatstroke, kidney injury, cardiovascular disease, emergency visits, hospital admissions, and deaths. The report, informed by experts from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and led by Prof Jerome Amir Singh, provides evidence based recommendations to strengthen heat health preparedness and adaptive capacity at national and regional levels, with a policy brief targeted at decision makers. ASSAf acknowledges the study panel; comprising Prof Jerome Amir Singh, Prof Caradee Wright, Prof Andrea Rother, Prof Rajen Naidoo, Dr Thandi Kapwata, Dr Katlego Ncongwane, Prof Heinz Beckedahl, Dr Sinah Kgosietsile, Prof Vidushi Shradha Neergheen, Prof Gabriel Kabanda, Dr Natasha Naidoo, Prof Adamson S. Muula, and Prof Molibeli Taele, the anonymous peer reviewers, and secretariat support by Dr Tozama Qwebani, Ms Henriette Wagenar, Dr Melusi Thwala, and Prof Himla Soodyall. The full report is available via DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2026/125 and ISBN 978-1-7764677-1-6.

Contributor ORCIDs : Singh, Jerome

; Kgosietsile-Moreti, Sinah

Publisher : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

Citation : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). (2026). Climate change and extreme heat: strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). https://doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2026/125

Sponsorship : Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)

DOI : 10.17159/assaf.2026/125

ISBN : 9781776467716

URI : https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/476

Peer Review Status : Peer-Reviewed

ASSAf Strategic Outcomes : Independent, authoritative and influential Scientific Advice | Mobilising knowledge

ASSAf Priority Areas : Food, water, land, energy & climate change nexus | Service to Society

ASSAf Purpose : Science for Policy