Botswana is entering a more dangerous phase of climate change, as intensifying heat and recurring drought strain the country’s water supplies, agriculture and economy, according to a recent regional study produced by a multidisciplinary team of scientists from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The landmark 2026 consensus report by the Academy of Science of South Africa finds that ‘Extreme heat is no longer an occasional hazard – it is becoming a defining feature of the climate’. The study titled Climate Change and Extreme Heat: Strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) warns that rising temperatures are compounding existing vulnerabilities in food and water systems.
The researchers say fragmented responses and weak institutional alignment could leave countries increasingly exposed to economic and environmental shocks, adding that extreme heat is rapidly becoming the region’s most dangerous and least addressed environmental threat. It also warns that Botswana is among the countries facing heightened exposure due to its already arid conditions and limited water resources.
For rural communities, where livelihoods depend heavily on rainfall, the consequences are immediate. Farmers say shifting weather patterns have shortened growing seasons and reduced yields, while livestock losses are becoming more common during prolonged dry spells.
Urban areas are also under pressure as demand for water is increasing, particularly in and around the capital, Gaborone, where population growth and economic activity are placing additional strain on already stressed supply systems.
The report underscores the paradox facing the region that despite contributing less than 1.3% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are among the most exposed to climate impacts. ‘Structural inequities amplify transnational climate hazards,’ states the study.
The report notes that extreme heat is no longer just a weather issue but also an economic variable. In Botswana, rising temperatures are expected to reduce labour productivity, particularly in construction, agriculture, and mining. The report links heat exposure directly to fatigue, dehydration, and reduced output among workers.
Energy systems face parallel stress as high temperatures increase electricity demand for cooling while simultaneously reducing generation capacity. Water scarcity is also expected to intensify as evaporation accelerates. ‘High temperatures accelerate evaporation, reduce hydropower generation, and heighten urban water scarcity,’ it states.
Extreme heat is also associated with rising cases of cardiovascular, respiratory, and kidney disease, alongside worsening malnutrition and mental-health stress. In densely populated or low-income urban areas, heat is amplified by poor housing materials and limited cooling options, creating what scientists describe as ‘urban heat island’ effects.
The report warns that extreme heat acts as an ‘integrator hazard,’ cutting across health, food systems, labour markets, and infrastructure simultaneously. Without accelerated adaptation, rising temperatures could erode productivity, strain public services, and widen inequality.
‘The cost of inaction is far greater,’ warns the report, adding that failure to respond could undermine decades of development progress across Southern Africa.