2009 Climate Change Conference in SA

Sunday, 08 March 2009 11:55

Representative from the government, unions, industry and environmental groups met at a four day conference in Johannesburg to help shape South Africa’s climate change policy. The National Climate Change Conference has laid the foundation for a Policy White Paper on climate change to be drafted by 2010.

Martinus van Schalkwyk, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister said at the conference that the government is set to take a strong stance against companies that produce emissions which are harmful to the environment.

“I do get the impression that in some quarters, business does not yet fully appreciate the implications of the developing world’s commitment to a substantial deviation below baseline emissions trajectories in a measurable reportable and verifiable way,” said van Schalkwyk. He said the department had “initiated a process of developing greenhouse gas measurement, monitoring and reporting regulations that will shift our work in this regard from a voluntary to a mandatory level.”

South Africa is under pressure along with other countries to curb its greenhouse emissions to mitigate the threat of climate change.

With about 90% of the country’s electricity derived from coal, South Africa is a major emitter of carbon dioxide. SA is the largest emitter on the African continent and 12th in the world.

Jerry Vilakazi, CEO of Business Unity SA (BUSA) said that voluntary initiatives needed to be encouraged. A number of BUSA member companies had participated in a survey of companies about the risks and opportunities presented by climate change.

“Industry-led global sector initiatives, public and private innovation and deployment of new technologies as well as the benefits of public-private partnerships need to be given increased attention,” said Vilakazi.

Ferrial Adam, a researcher for think-tank Earthlife said, “The problem is not the policy but putting it into action, climate change is here we need to deal with it now.” It would be better for SA to focus on implementation and adaptation instead of organising conferences and policy drafts.

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