The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is currently hosting a conference intended to promote the National Greening Programme - and in particular - non-motorised transport (NMT).

DEA, in collaboration with the Department of Transport, is hosting the two-day Green Cities: Promoting the NMT Agenda Conference, in partnership with KfW Development Bank (on behalf of the German Government).

"Government and key partners such as KfW Development Bank are taking this opportunity to demonstrate South Africa's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to promote renewable energy sources and to ensure broad climate change awareness," DEA said.
The aim of the Green Cities: Promoting the NMT Agenda Conference is to:
* demonstrate the interface between transportation and greener cities;
* highlight the role that NMT can play in enhancing mobility in cities; and
* demonstrate how an integrated transport system can help reduce emissions through institutional, behavioural and technological changes.
Speakers on day one of the conference include local experts on universal design, bicycle-share, transport planning and greener transport technology.

Keynote speakers of day two include Dr Horst Freitag, German Ambassador to South Africa, who will be speaking on the German experience in respect to city greening.

The cities of Polokwane, Johannesburg and eThekwini are also expected present details of their walking and cycling projects.

The conference is taking place in Midrand. - SAnews.gov.za