CESA Calls for urgent infrastructure reforms to combat climate change impacts

22 July 2024: In an era marked by the escalating impacts of climate change, the importance of developing resilient infrastructure has never been more critical. Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) is at the forefront of advocating for robust infrastructural strategies to combat the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Chris Campbell, CEO of CESA, emphasises the urgent need for proactive measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of communities nationwide.

He highlighted the necessity of revising infrastructure standards in response to more frequent and severe weather events. “For example, there have been revisions of standards regarding how close structures should be built to water courses. These standards are being updated to reflect the increased intensity and frequency of severe storms.” He further elaborated that traditional statistical models, which predict storm events every 100 years, are no longer sufficient. “These flood lines now have to move further back to ensure safety and resilience.”

Local authorities play a vital role in this transition. “It’s not just developers at fault; local authorities must enforce compliance with updated bylaws and building regulations,” Campbell asserted. Failure to do so, he warned, will result in more human catastrophes and property losses.

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