Investigating climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in integrated water and waste management plans: The case of coal mines in Mpumalanga

Abstract

Despite initial disagreements on climate change, there is now a widely accepted consensus that the phenomenon exists. Owing to escalating greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that the world's temperature will rise above preindustrial levels, which will lead to variation in rainfall patterns, increased intensity of floods and droughts and the alteration of hydrological cycles, which will harm human and natural systems. The mining industry will suffer severe consequences from climate change, especially the coal mining industry in South Africa. Given the country's heavy dependence on coal for electricity generation, this situation could have adverse socio-economic consequences. It is, therefore, crucial for the mining industry to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies into its business approaches. Integrated water resource management (IWRM)--the basis for Integrated Water and Waste Management Plans (IWWMPs), is a promising instrument for mainstreaming climate change mitigation and adaption measures into water management. Considering this background, this research investigated whether climate change mitigation and adaptation measures are considered in IWWMPs for coal mines in Mpumalanga. A case study approach with document analysis was implemented for the research. Seven case studies were selected based on predetermined selection criteria. Two key performance areas (KPAs) with 21 associated key performance indicators (KPIs) were developed based on relevant policies, legislation, and guideline documents related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The content of each IWWMP was evaluated against the developed KPIs and allocated a score namely, A - adequately, B - partially, and C - inadequately considered. Based on the evaluation, the primary study findings indicate that climate change mitigation and adaptation measures are disregarded in the IWWMPs for the selected cases in Mpumalanga. It is, therefore, recommended that coal mines in Mpumalanga incorporate climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in IWWMPs to manage climate risk. Furthermore, interviews should be conducted with the three significant participants involved in the drafting and approval of IWWMPs to establish the reasons why climate change mitigation and adaptation measures are omitted in IWWMPs as required by policies, legislation, and guidelines.