Local Action for Biodiversity: Wetlands SA

Under the auspices of the global LAB programme, the Local Action for Biodiversity: Wetlands South Africa (LAB: Wetlands SA) project is currently being implemented in 11 municipalities throughout South Africa. The aim of the project is to protect priority natural wetland resources, thus enabling the supply of ecosystem services and promoting resilient communities under a changing climate within South Africa.

Through the project, ICLEI aims to improve local government knowledge and understanding of the value of wetlands, initiate the process of integrating wetlands and ecosystem services into local government planning and decision making and to implement and pilot on the ground wetland projects within the participating municipalities.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has generously provided funding for the LAB: Wetlands SA project.

LAB Wetlands SA will enhance the conservation and management of natural wetland resources across South Africa by assisting 9 district and 2 metropolitan municipalities to build institutional capacity and develop local policies for integrating biodiversity across local government departments.

The programme – implemented by ICLEI and key partners, SANBI, SALGA, Working for Wetlands and DEA – is based on the globally renowned LAB Pioneer methodology. The LAB programme recognises the critical role of local governments in biodiversity conversation and the value of biodiversity for delivering ecosystem services and enhancing local climate resilience.

A LAB programme for South Africa

LAB: Wetlands South Africa has been customised to the South African context, where wetlands are the most threatened of all ecosystems and where poverty and the delivery
of basic services are critical issues at the local government level.

Biodiversity, and wetlands in particular, contribute to service provision and disaster risk reduction though ecosystem services such as flood attenuation, water filtration and water security, which are increasingly important in a changing climate. The programme therefore seeks to enhance the conservation and management of natural wetland resources through increased awareness of wetlands and the integration of biodiversity considerations into local government planning and decision- making.