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As South Africa joined the global community in marking World Environment Day on Friday, the government called on citizens, businesses and communities to play a more active role in responding to climate change.

The call comes as the country continues to grapple with increasingly severe weather events, including floods, droughts and heatwaves that have damaged infrastructure, disrupted livelihoods and claimed lives.

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The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said tackling climate change requires action from all sectors of society.

“Businesses must accelerate cleaner and more sustainable practices. Communities must protect local ecosystems and reduce environmental harm,” the department said.

Civil society, youth, women, traditional leaders and local institutions must continue to lead practical action where they live and work.

The department added that the government would continue strengthening partnerships aimed at protecting people, nature and the economy.

This year’s World Environment Day is being observed under the theme: “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future”.

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According to the department, the theme highlights the urgent need for governments, businesses, communities and individuals to work together to protect the environment and address the impacts of climate change.

“For decades, the world has heard the climate story through scientific warnings, global agreements, targets and distant deadlines. Too often, the response has been slowed by delay, distraction and denial,” the department said.

The department noted that the effects of climate change are increasingly visible through climate-related disasters that affect homes, livelihoods, infrastructure and local economies.

“Rising temperatures, destructive floods, prolonged droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, melting glaciers and rising seas are clear signals that the planet is under increasing pressure,” the department said.

In South Africa, recent flooding and severe weather events have affected several provinces, including Limpopo and Mpumalanga, resulting in loss of life, damage to homes and public infrastructure, and additional pressure on municipalities tasked with responding to emergencies.

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“As climate-related disasters increase in frequency and intensity, government’s response must move beyond recovery after disaster strikes. It must strengthen prevention, preparedness, adaptation and resilience at the local level, where the impacts of climate change are felt most directly,” the department said.

The department said it is continuing to work with provinces, municipalities and other organs of state to support climate change adaptation planning, risk assessments and disaster risk reduction measures.

This includes helping municipalities better understand climate risks, improve early warning systems, strengthen preparedness and implement nature-based solutions such as wetland rehabilitation, catchment restoration, urban greening and ecosystem protection.

“These interventions are critical because local government is at the frontline of climate impacts. When floods wash away roads, when heatwaves affect vulnerable households, when drought places pressure on water systems, and when storms damage public infrastructure, municipalities are often the first responders.

“Supporting local government is therefore not an administrative function. It is central to protecting lives, livelihoods and public infrastructure,” the department emphasised.

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The department said addressing climate change will require sustained co-operation between government, businesses, communities and individuals to build resilience and protect future generations.