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Three objectives on capacity development, climate
change adaptation and social development are
realised within each of the strategic areas as
illustrated in Figure 5.2 (SADC 2011a).
RSAP III Programmes
RSAP III has 15 programmes, including
Infrastructure and Project Preparation, Water
Supply and Sanitation, Communication
and Awareness, Research and Education,
Groundwater Management, and Environmental
Water Management. The formation of the
Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM)
falls within the programme on River Basin
Organisations, which seeks to strengthen the
organisational and institutional mechanisms
for river basin management. The priority
intervention areas include: Development and
strengthening of River Basin Organizations,
Development of RBO guidelines, Networking
and sharing of best practices, Establishment of
Basin-wide stakeholder forums to address issues
of transboundary water management, and
Training of RBO representatives (SADC 2011a).
Climate Change Adaptation:
A Strategy for theWater Sector
A Climate Change Adaptation Strategy was
developed in 2011 as part of fulfilling the
RSAP III programme on Climate Change and
Adaptation. The main goal of the strategy is to
improve climate resilience in Southern Africa
through integrated and adapted water resources
management at regional, river basin and local
levels (SADC 2011b). Its objective as envisaged
in the strategy document, is to promote further
the application of integrated water resources
management as a priority tool to reduce
climate vulnerability and to ensure that water
management systems are well adapted to cope
with increased climate variability.
The Strategy which presents measures to be
taken over the next 20 years, recommends that
work on adaptation should start immediately
to benefit the sectors under present climatic
conditions (SADC 2011b).
The strategic framework to climate change
adaptation is transboundary in nature requiring
adjustment of societies and economies at
different levels, from local, river basin and
regional levels. The framework emphasises
that adaptation is not only a matter of water
management, but an issue of governance as well
as infrastructure development. While it involves
disaster preparedness, the strategy should also
provide recommendations on ways to respond to
and recover from climate-related extreme events
such as floods and droughts (SADC 2011b).
IWRM Strategy for the Zambezi River Basin
The IWRM Strategy for the Zambezi River
Basin was formulated within the framework
of the Zambezi River Action Plan (ZACPLAN)
Project 6 Phase 2 (SADC and ZRA 2007).
ZACPLAN was an initiative of SADC aimed at
Figure 5.2: RSAP III Strategic Framework.
Adaptation to climate change
refers to
the capacity of natural and human systems
to reduce vulnerability against actual
or expected climatic stimuli and their
effects on society, the economy and the
environment (UNFCCC 2006).
Indigenous knowledge
Local communities
have been dealing with climate variability
for generations and have learned to adapt
their lives and livelihoods to the water cycle.
New adaptation measures for the water
sector must build on such knowledge.
Water
Governance
Capacity
Development
Climate Change
Adaptation
Social
Development
Infrastructure
Development
Water
Management
Strategic area 1
Strategic objective 1
Operational objective 1.1
Operational objective 1.2
Operational objective 1.3
Operational objective 2.1
Operational objective 2.2
Operational objective 2.3
Operational objective 3.1
Operational objective 3.2
Operational objective 3.3
Strategic objective 2
Strategic objective 3
Strategic area 2
Strategic area 3
Strenghten the
enabling environment
for regional
governance
Develop a common
understanding on the
risks and impacts of
climate change
Empower local
communities and
water utilities
Increase water storage
capacities to improve
climate resilience
Reduce the risk and
impacts associated
with climate change
Improve livelihood in
local communities
Promote the equitable
and reasonable
utilisation of water
resources
Prepare bankable
water infrastructure
projects
Develop and
implement integrated
planning processes