Acting Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Lulu Xingwana, will introduce the South African launch of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) D2 Report for Local and Regional Policy Makers in Parliament Buildings, Cape Town on 9 September 2010.
TEEB serves as part of the roadmap to a green economic pathway and can assist government to implement protective measures for the conservation of biodiversity while boosting the local economy, enhancing quality of life, securing livelihoods and generating employment. It gives local government an opportunity to embrace and champion the green agenda which can also contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.
South Africa is one of four countries around the world hosting this event to raise awareness on the role the green economy can play to conserve and protect the environment for our sustainability. With 75% of rural population expected to live in cities by 2030, the world is fast approaching the stage when the ecological budget will be exhausted, with the demand on ecological services exceeding the renewable supply.
As the producers and consumers of ecosystem services at the local level, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) views local government as a strategically placed sphere of government to protect ecosystems and biodiversity through responsible planning for their own sustainability and resilience.
Details of the launch are:
Venue: Imbizo Media Centre, Ground Floor, Parliament Buildings, Cape Town
Date: 9 September 2010
Time: 13h00 to 14h00
To RSVP contact:
Xolani Ngqoshela
Tel:t 012 310 3078
E-mail: XNgqoshela@environment.gov.za
