OPINION | Civil Society Organizations as Unrecognized Climate Action Leaders

In South Africa, where climate change impacts are becoming increasingly severe and localized, civil society organizations’ (CSOs) critical role in addressing these challenges is invaluable but largely unrecognized. Civil society and community-based organizations (CBOs) are on the front lines, witnessing firsthand the toll of environmental changes on communities, from intensifying droughts and floods to rising food and water insecurity. Their work, deeply rooted in local contexts and community needs, positions them as natural leaders in climate action. However, despite their direct impact on local resilience and adaptation, CSOs remain marginalized in mainstream climate discourse, policymaking, and funding allocations.

Recent research led by KD Strategies, in collaboration with INSPIRE and Democracy Works Foundation, highlights the vital role of CSOs in building climate resilience in South Africa’s municipalities. The study, which was focused on the Witzenberg and Karoo Hoogland municipalities, reveals how CSOs are bridging gaps left by public and private sectors, often with limited resources and minimal recognition. Based on consultations and data collection efforts, the research reveals how these organizations play an essential role in climate adaptation and highlights the need for greater support, recognition, and collaboration with CSOs to foster sustainable climate action. In this piece, I argue that civil society’s work in climate adaptation should be elevated and supported at every level, acknowledging CSOs as community advocates and essential drivers of climate resilience in South Africa.

CSOs, as representatives of the public, play an important role in shaping South Africa’s participatory democracy – climate change is no exception. The Constitution mandates public participation in legislative and related processes (section 59 and 72); entrenches it as part of the local government mandates (Section 152); and importantly in policy making section 195).

The Climate Change Act recognizes the role of civil society as important stakeholders that need to advise the country on their climate change response (Section 7(2)). Public participation is also essential in the drafting of Climate Change Needs Assessments and Response plans in terms of Chapter 3. These plans must form a component of the Integrated Development Plans municipalities have to adopt in terms of the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000). The Municipal Systems Act spells out the content and processes for the adoption of the Integrated Development Plans and determines that local communities need to be consulted in the drafting processes. By extension local communities, or their representatives needs to be consulted in the drafting and adoption of the Climate Change Needs Asssessments and Response plans as these form part of the IDP.

The Just Transition Framework acknowledges that a variety of social partners need to be equipped with the power and capacity to set and pursue their own agendas in the pursuit of climate justice. In calls on civil society in particular to continue to champion their social and environmental agendas and hold stakeholders to account for the promises they make (page 22). The call to collective action speaks of a shared commitment to transparency, impartiality and openness. Many services that CSOs provide speak to the call to find ways to better integrate women, youth and children in the policy making processes of the Just Transition – these include childcare and travel support as well and a multiplicity of language use to deepen participation (page 23). Social partners like CSOs are needed to forge a consensus around the major social, economic and environmental decisions that must be made for the Just Transition process. (page 25)

The Role of CSOs in Climate Action

In municipalities like Witzenberg and Karoo Hoogland, where extreme weather patterns threaten the livelihoods and well-being of residents, CSOs are often the first responders to climate impacts. These organizations, grounded in their communities, understand local vulnerabilities and are well-positioned to deliver targeted support. Their work spans multiple areas, including food security, water access, health, disaster relief, and community resilience. Each focus area is critical to climate adaptation, even if CSOs do not always label it as such. When they provide food and water to communities facing drought, educate families on sustainable farming, or offer shelter during floods, they actively contribute to climate adaptation.

However, the impact of their work is often overshadowed by the more significant and visible climate initiatives led by the public sector and corporate entities, which focus primarily on emissions reductions, energy transitions, or large-scale infrastructure projects. While these initiatives are crucial, they often lack the localized, community-centred approach that CSOs bring. Civil society organizations understand that climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a socio-economic one, particularly for South Africa’s most vulnerable populations, and they approach climate resilience with a holistic perspective that integrates the well-being, health, and livelihoods of local communities.

This perspective is evident in the work of CSOs in Witzenberg and Karoo Hoogland, where climate impacts are increasingly tied to community challenges. In Witzenberg, for example, local organizations work to ensure food security by promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting farmers affected by extreme weather. These efforts help to reduce food scarcity while creating more resilient local food systems. Likewise, in Karoo Hoogland, where desertification is a growing concern, CSOs are engaged in land restoration and conservation projects that protect the environment and sustain agriculture and livelihoods. These initiatives are small-scale compared to national or corporate climate projects but are no less critical. Indeed, they often represent the only form of climate adaptation available to marginalized communities who face resource constraints and limited access to government services.

Why CSOs Remain Unrecognised

The invisibility of CSOs in climate action is not accidental—it reflects broader systemic issues in how climate action is understood, funded, and prioritized. One of the key reasons for this lack of recognition is the focus on “high-impact” climate solutions that can be easily measured in terms of carbon reductions or economic returns. Public and private sector initiatives often prioritize large-scale projects with clear, quantifiable outcomes, such as generating megawatts of renewable energy or reducing tons of carbon emissions. In this framework, smaller, community-led adaptation projects—while critical for local resilience—are often seen as peripheral or supplementary.

Moreover, the language of climate action has become highly technical, with terms like “net zero,” “carbon offsetting,” and “sustainability metrics” dominating the discourse. CSOs, by contrast, tend to focus on the lived experiences of communities, using language that emphasizes immediate needs like clean water and shelter. This disconnect in terminology can make it difficult for CSOs to gain traction in climate discussions because their work does not always align with mainstream narratives that frame climate action as a matter of emissions reduction or economic growth.

Funding structures also play a role in marginalizing CSOs. Climate funding from public sources and private philanthropy often favours large projects and formal institutions that can manage complex reporting requirements. CSOs, which may lack the administrative resources to meet these requirements, are frequently excluded from climate funding despite their deep community knowledge and impact. In Witzenberg and Karoo Hoogland, many CSOs operate on limited budgets, relying on donations and volunteer networks to carry out their work. This funding gap limits their capacity to scale their initiatives or invest in new, innovative solutions, even as the demand for their services grows in the face of escalating climate impacts.

The Value of Community-Centred Climate Adaptation

One of the KD Strategies research’s most important findings is that CSOs provide contextually appropriate climate solutions, respond to local needs, and are grounded in community participation. Unlike top-down climate initiatives, which may struggle to gain local buy-in, CSO-led projects are designed in collaboration with community members. This participatory approach ensures that climate action is relevant and meaningful to those most affected.

For example, when floods hit Witzenberg, CSOs worked with local leaders to establish emergency shelters, distribute food, and help families recover. These actions go beyond immediate relief—they help to build community resilience by creating support networks, improving preparedness, and fostering a sense of solidarity. Similarly, in Karoo Hoogland, CSOs engaged in land conservation collaborate with farmers and community members to identify sustainable grazing practices and soil restoration techniques. These projects empower communities to participate actively in climate adaptation, reducing their dependence on external aid.

Furthermore, CSOs bring trust and cultural sensitivity that other stakeholders often lack. In marginalized communities, where there is sometimes distrust of government or corporate actors, CSOs serve as trusted intermediaries who advocate for the interests of local residents. This trust is invaluable in mobilizing communities for climate adaptation, as it encourages greater engagement, cooperation, and long-term commitment.

Recognizing and Supporting CSOs as Climate Leaders

If South Africa is to build a truly resilient society, it must recognize and support CSOs as essential partners in climate action. This support requires shifting how climate policy, funding, and public discourse are structured. CSOs must be acknowledged as community advocates and strategic actors with unique insights and capacities for driving localized climate solutions. The shift begins with incorporating CSOs into municipal, provincial, and national climate planning and decision-making. When CSOs are given a seat at the table, climate policies can better reflect on-the-ground realities and address the specific needs of vulnerable communities.

In addition, climate funding mechanisms need to be restructured to make resources accessible to CSOs. The restructuring could simplify application processes, reduce administrative burdens, and provide capacity-building support to smaller organizations. National and international funders should prioritize financing local adaptation initiatives, recognizing that while these projects may be small in scale, they have outsized impacts on community resilience and well-being. Grant programs designed for CSOs can help unlock their full potential, enabling them to expand their reach, adopt innovative approaches, and build long-term capacity.

Training and knowledge-sharing programs are vital. By giving CSOs access to the latest climate science tools and methodologies, governments and development agencies can help amplify the effectiveness of community-led initiatives. Programs facilitating peer learning and partnerships between CSOs and other stakeholders can foster collaboration, enabling CSOs to gain additional expertise and resources for their work.

The Path Forward: A Collaborative Approach to Climate Action

The findings from KD Strategies’ research confirm the constitutional, legislative and policy directive for a participatory democracy and point to a clear path forward: climate resilience in South Africa must be built from the ground up, with CSOs playing a central role in designing and implementing adaptation strategies. By recognizing CSOs as climate leaders and providing them with the support needed, South Africa can create a more inclusive, engaging, and effective approach to climate action that prioritizes the needs and voices of the most vulnerable.

A collaborative approach with CSOs will require a shift in practice and funding priorities in addition to a broader cultural change in how climate action is perceived and spoken about. Climate resilience is a shared responsibility of public, private, and civil society sectors working together, each bringing their unique strengths and perspectives. For CSOs, this means moving beyond the periphery of climate discussions and into its mainstream, where CSOs’ contributions can be amplified, supported, and integrated into broader, longer-term climate strategies.

Ultimately, empowering CSOs as climate leaders means more than supporting local communities; it is about strengthening South Africans’ personal and collective resilience in facing climate change. As climate impacts continue to intensify, the ability of communities to adapt will be a critical determinant of the country’s social and economic stability. By fostering a more inclusive approach to climate action and providing resources to CSOs, South Africa can build a future where climate resilience is embedded in the fabric of society, ensuring that every community has the tools and support needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.