Using the Climate Change Act to Build a Just and Resilient Food System
In March 2024, South Africa passed the Climate Change Act ? the country’s first framework legislation defining how government must respond to the climate crisis. The Act sets out processes for climate planning, adaptation, and emission reduction across all sectors. This fact sheet explores how it can be used to build a food system that is both just and resilient.
Why Food Systems Matter
South Africa’s food system contributes around 20% of national emissions and is highly vulnerable to droughts, floods, and rising temperatures. The Act offers opportunities to address these dual challenges ? reducing emissions while supporting those who keep the food system running: farmers, workers, traders, women, and households.
Opportunities for Action
The Climate Change Act creates several pathways for advocacy and participation:
- Policy alignment: All government departments must align their decisions with the Act’s principles. This opens the door for stronger, fairer climate and food policies.
- Adaptation planning: National and sectoral adaptation plans must be developed, offering civil society the chance to embed food justice and agroecology in climate responses.
- Local action: Provinces and municipalities are required to create climate response plans ? opportunities to integrate sustainable local food systems and protect informal traders and smallholders.
- Participation: Civil society can use mandated public consultation processes and forums, such as the Presidential Climate Commission, to advance a climate-just food system.
A Call to Collective Engagement
A just transition for food must address structural inequalities, recognise care work, protect workers, regulate corporate power, and secure land and livelihoods. By engaging with the Act’s processes, South Africans can ensure that climate action strengthens, rather than undermines, food justice and resilience.