Browsing by Author "Mukheibir, P"

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    Climate change mitigation: A training manual
    (University of Cape Town, 2005) Nkomo, J C; Winkler, H; Mwakasonda, S; Mukheibir, P; Sparks, D
    The Energy Research Centre (ERC) has developed a training manual on climate change mitigation courses. The manual covers the following modules: Greenhouse gas inventories (GHGI), Mitigation (MIT), and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). These modules have been developed in response to the need for capacity building initiatives that are country driven and regionally focused, address specific needs and conditions of the country, and involve stakeholders. In doing so, the overall aim is to assist non-Annex 1 countries to participate effectively in the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, and to ensure the sustainability of these programmes. There are two important points to note. Firstly, the training manual is tailored to the specific needs and contexts of those being targeted, but with sufficient flexibility to avoid a ‘one-size-fitsall’ training programme. Secondly, although the manual is prepared in South Africa, it is designed in a flexible form and can be modified by using case studies and exercises relevant to the country teams with diverse backgrounds.
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    Climate variability, climate change and water resource strategies for small municipalities
    (2005) Mukheibir, P; Sparks, D
    In many parts of the world, variability in climatic conditions is already resulting in wide ranging impacts, especially on water resources and agriculture. Climate variability is already being observed to be increasing, although there remain uncertainties about the link to climate change. However, the link to water management problems is obvious. Water is a limiting resource for development in South Africa and a change in water supply could have major implications in most sectors of the economy, especially in the agriculture sector. Factors that contribute to vulnerability in water systems in southern Africa include seasonal and inter-annual variations in rainfall, which are amplified by high run-off production and evaporation rates. Current modelling scenarios suggest that there will be significant climate change1 impacts in South Africa (Hewitson et al. 2005). Climate change is expected to alter the present hydrological resources in southern Africa and add pressure on the adaptability of future water resources (Schulze & Perks 2000). During the past 20 years, most of Africa has experienced extensive droughts, the last three being 1986-88, 1991-92 and 1997-98 (after Chenje & Johnson 1996). If the occurrence of drought became more frequent, the impact on water resources and consequently agriculture would be significant.
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    Impacts, vulnerability and adaptation in key South African sectors: an input into the Long Term Mitigation Scenarios process.
    (Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town, 2007) Midgley, G; Chapman, R; Mukheibir, P; Tadross, M; Hewitson, B; Wand, S; Schulze, R; Lumsden, T; Horan, M; Warburton, M; Kgope, B; Mantlana, B; Knowles, A; Abayomi, A; Ziervogel, G; Cullis, R; Theron, A
    Ten free-standing chapters make up this report, and this Executive Summary and supporting Synthesis Report serve to draw together the main findings in both an abbreviated and an extended and illustrated format that focuses on main findings, but also adds a level of detail for the purpose of communicating the key results, and the uncertainties associated with them, for the benefit of a policy maker. The chapters that make up this report are compiled as separate documents as follows. These are generally reviews of the literature available, but in some cases comprise new work that has been carried out to provide information in an area that is lacking an assessment.
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    Possible climate change impacts on large hydroelectricity schemes in southern Africa
    (University of Cape Town, 2007) Mukheibir, P
    There is growing concern that developing countries, such as South Africa, should reduce their coal dependence for energy generation and look to other cleaner technologies. Hydroelectricity is one such option. A number of potential large hydro sites have been identified in Southern Africa, which form part of the Southern African Power Pool. However, limited information exists on the impact of climate change on these sites and its effect on the viability of the hydroelectric schemes. Using downscaled global circulation model information, projected climate impacts and the potential impact these may have on future hydro schemes are discussed.
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    A status quo, vulnerability and adaptation assessment of the physical and socio-economic effects of climate change in the Western Cape
    (2005) Midgley, G F; Chapman, R A; Hewitson, B; Johnston, P; de Wit, M; Ziervogel, G; Mukheibir, P; van Niekerk, L; Tadross, M; van Wilgen, B W; Kgope, B; Morant, P D; Theron, A; Scholes, R J; Forsyth, G G
    The South African Country Study on Climate Change, carried out in the late 1990’s, identified the Northern and Western Cape Provinces as being most at risk from projected climate change-induced warming and rainfall change (results of this study are summarized in South Africa’s initial National Communication, prepared in accordance with Article 12 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: www.environment.gov.za/Documents/Documents/2005Feb22/NatCom_Nov%202003%20(b). doc ). However, this study was based on a limited set of model projections of climate change that have now been superseded by projections using more advanced techniques. In this study we have carried out a broad reassessment of the vulnerability of the Western Cape to climate change impacts, using a wider range of climate scenarios from more sophisticated climate models, and for a range of sectors (with the exception of agriculture and fisheries, according to our brief). We also identify some key adaptive strategies that might alleviate or avoid the worst impacts of climate change in some sectors. We conclude that further detailed study of some of the implications of these findings will be necessary to explore these and further strategies in order to guide policy development.