With South Africa facing an increased frequency of extreme weather events experts are urging planners and decision-makers to move from reactive crisis management approaches to proactive climate change and disaster risk management.

Speaking at a launch of the second edition of the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas Imraan Patel, Department of Science and Technology Deputy Director-General: Socio-Economic Innovation Partnerships said the atlas was a repository of the most up to date information to support decision-making at local and national levels in South Africa.

Developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an entity of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA) disseminates spatial and non-spatial data that describes, assesses and evaluates the risks and vulnerabilities facing the country due to climate change.

“In a data driven world, the importance of analytical tools that can make sense of the plethora of data is self-evident,” Patel said.

“Proper analysis and the capacity to use such information will inform the innovation and technological improvements that enable South Africa to implement its nationally determined contributions to combat climate change,” he noted, adding that the atlas could serve as an educational tool to provide evidence of potential impacts of climate to communities and decision-makers.

For a full report www.csir.co.za/documents/csir-global-change-ebookpdf