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NEWS: Coastal wetlands are unable to adapt to the rate of sea-level rise and are constrained by infrastructure

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Wetlands, precious ecosystems that shield coastlines, safeguard drinking water from saltwater contamination, and nourish diverse wildlife, face a dire threat from the accelerating pace of sea-level rise, driven by global warming. Wetlands have historically adapted to rising sea levels by expanding upward and inland. However, predictions indicate that the waterline will soon shift far too rapidly for wetlands to keep pace. Consequently, future decades may witness the tragic loss of these vital wetland ecosystems. Wetlands along coastlines have historically played valuable roles for people and wildlife, but are now facing the threat of sea-level rise. As temperatures rise, sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, and wetlands are unable to keep pace by building upward and migrating inland. This is due to human-induced climate change and the burning of fossil fuels, which has warmed the oceans and melted glaciers. Sea levels are now rising at about 10 millimeters per year, and are
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NEWS: South Africa's infrastructure spend will require participation from the private sector

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Between 1998/99 and 2017/18, the public sector spent R3 trillion on infrastructure, but in the lack of fiscal space means that in future a substantial portion of infrastructure spending will have to be provided for by the private sector.


That is why the government undertook a review of the public-private partnership regulations, which was completed in May 2021.

Its recommendations include simplifying the regulations, eliminating delays in approval and implementation, and standardizing project preparation; and building capacity at all levels of government will be implemented from early 2022.

Public sector infrastructure spending increased from R48.8 billion in 1998/99 to R236.2 billion in 2017/18. In real terms, infrastructure spending grew by an annual average of 4.3%.

State-owned companies have spent R1.3 trillion on infrastructure over this period, while municipalities and provincial departments have spent R612.8 billion and R705.2 billion respectively to build schools, hospitals, clinics and other community-related infrastructure.

From 1998/99 to 2017/18, public-sector infrastructure expenditure as a share of gross domestic product averaged 5.9%. It peaked at more than 8% in the 2009/10 fiscal year when stadiums were being completed to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup.


It has subsequently eased to the 5% level as spending on social infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and sanitation has grown at a slower pace as a result of pressure on budgetary resources, including the growth in government’s wage bill and new policy commitments.

The government has prioritised creating additional electricity generation capacity.

The new Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana acknowledged that the government has spent the past 13 years trying to fix the problem at state-owned electricity utility Eskom rather than trying to create additional electricity generation capacity.

Eskom has a deadline of December 31 to complete the legal separation of its transmission division.

Source: IOL

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