Increasingly, addressing climate change is being done at the local level, as the impacts are likely to be borne by local communities and municipalities.

Recent projections have identified the Highveld region, where Gauteng is located, as highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Projections for 2071-2100 (compared to 1961-1990) show an increase of 3-6°C for the interior of Southern Africa – two times the global rate. This is likely to have an effect on crop yield and hydrology. The GCR’s annual rainfall is projected to become mildly drier (0-10%). However, its summer rainfall pattern is expected to experience an increase in the frequency of extreme rainfall events. This increase is likely to have the greatest direct impact on the GCR because of the associated increased risk of flooding, particularly flash floods. *