The Poverty Reduction Co-benefits of Climate Change-Related Projects in eThekwini Municipality, South Africa

Abstract

This study examined 13 purposively selected climate change projects in eThekwini Municipality to determine their poverty reduction potentials (or the lack thereof). The study builds on the document analysis of the poverty reduction co-benefits of 104 climate change projects in the Municipality. Using a qualitative approach, interviews (15 with municipal staff and 14 with experts) and 18 focus group discussions with project beneficiaries were used with purposively selected participants for data collection. Findings of the study revealed that all the projects assessed have poverty reduction co-benefits (although this varied across projects). The study found several challenges associated with the projects including concerns about short-term contracts, dissatisfaction with salaries, and insufficient work gear that exposes workers to health risks. Those employed under the project expressed a preference for greater involvement of the municipality in the management of the projects. Considering the poverty reduction co-benefits of the climate change projects, the study recommends a move beyond a project-based approach to institutionalising climate change to provide permanent employment. There is also a need to emphasise the multiple dimensions of poverty reduction in project design beyond job creation. Furthermore, the experiences of climate change in eThekwini Municipality provide a model that can be adopted and contextualised by other local government authorities particularly in the global south.