Cape Town's Accountability in Climate Investment Commitments

The City of Cape Town demonstrates accountability to its climate resilience investment commitments through transparency, a core value of the city.

In 2023 and 2024, the city published its infrastructure report, launched by the mayor, which details a 10-year portfolio covering energy, water, waste, human settlements, and mobility. The report serves as a self-critique, highlighting mature areas of the portfolio and identifying gaps, such as the need for more projects addressing flooding and coastal processes in 2023.

In 2024, a deeper analysis showed that 1,540 projects, valued at 55.5 billion rand out of a 120 billion rand portfolio, have specific climate benefits, addressing shocks like drought, flooding, fire, and storm surge.

This transparency fosters accountability by encouraging sector planners to develop projects that address portfolio deficiencies. The reports also attract investment and partnerships by providing clarity on future projects, earning positive feedback from the investment and built environment communities, as well as credit rating agencies.

This openness signals to businesses, investors, and visitors that Cape Town is a forward-thinking city serious about climate change, making it an attractive and secure place for investment, particularly for green economy enterprises.