The Climate Smart Cape Town Pavilion at COP17, constructed out of 1884 plastic milk crates and over 22 000 plastic milk bottles supplied by Polyoak Packaging, is a temporary structure that has a low-impact on the environment as it will be dismantled after the climate change conference in Durban and all the materials re-used.
Using different coloured crates to create the outline of Table Mountain, with Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak, the Pavilion is an iconic design that showcases the vision and the projects that will enable Cape Town to become a lower carbon city adapting well to the impacts of climate change, protecting its most vulnerable citizens and building an economic future based on clean development, localisation and jobs for all.
Inside the Pavilion, 22 large format posters containing text, graphics and photographs, highlight that in looking for solutions, City of Cape Town officials and the Western Cape are being stretched by increasing climate change impacts and the need for novel ways of managing urban spaces and the growing number of people that occupy them. Topics that are covered in the posters and in DVDs screened, range from the policies and plans that will facilitate positive change in Cape Town and deal with the challenges and complexities of global warming to targets to reduce electricity consumption by 10%, as well as how Cape Town plans to be a leading low-carbon city, with 10% of its energy supply drawn from cleaner energy sources by 2020.
Commenting on the Climate Smart Cape Town Pavilion at COP17, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Alderman Belinda Walker, stated that the City and its coalition partners required an exhibition that would convey the message of climate change actions in the City in the most responsible way.
“COP17 in Durban will place global environmental issues such as climate change under a spotlight, and it is an opportunity for Cape Town to promote pro-active approaches to these issues among local and international audiences. We wanted to create an exhibition structure that would look different from all the other tented structures at the Climate Response Expo in Durban. The proposal that we received from Stephen Lamb of Touching the Earth Lightly and ST&AR Architects responded to our needs in that it was to be made entirely from recycled and re-usable materials so as to produce zero waste after dismantling. In addition, all construction materials were to be sourced within the tightest possible radius of the site to minimise the carbon footprint,” Alderman Walker said.
Says Andre Rademeyer of ST&AR Architects: “The recyclable milk crates and milk bottles are tied to a rectangular 15 x 12m scaffolding frame. They act as ‘cells’ with excellent thermal insulating properties for a temporary structure. Low energy lighting behind the crates, running off battery stored solar power, illuminates the entire structure at night turning it into a glowing ‘jewel box’ promoting sustainability. The interior contrasts with the man-made recycled plastic exterior, being clad entirely in alien timber from trees pruned and felled by Working for Water. The interior is lit from above with translucent roof panels allowing natural light into the Pavilion.”
Project Manager and co-designer, Stephen Lamb of Touching the Earth Lightly, commented: “The Pavilion showcases creative thinking and responsible use of alternative materials in the design and construction of an exhibition venue. The Climate Smart Cape Town Pavilion is off the electricity grid, courtesy of MLT Drives. While the sun shines, solar panels charge batteries, that in turn supply the exhibit with electricity via an inverter. When the wind blows, the wind turbines attached to the roof of the Pavilion, power the exhibit directly, without needing batteries; that way we are able to be off the electricity grid completely and demonstrate that there are viable alternatives.”
Rainwater collected off the roof of the Pavilion is stored and filtered and served to delegates at COP along with flavoured buchu and mint leaves. Organic lettuces, planted into 250 of the milk crates, are served to delegates as fresh salads.
Says Stephen Granger, the City’s Head: Major Programmes and Projects, Environmental Resource Management Department and Spokesperson for the Coalition, “The Cape Town Climate Change Coalition is offsetting the carbon footprint associated with attending and participating in COP17 by implementing energy efficiency projects in the City's operations – these projects will be subject to monitoring and verification to validate the carbon offset. By creating this Pavilion, the Coalition aims to gain insight from the expertise of others on issues pertaining specifically to cities and climate change, to share our own lessons learned, and to form wider partnerships. We welcome the space for an increased focus on the needs and challenges faced by cities to become more resilient to climate change impacts.”
Note to Editors:
What is the Cape Town Climate Change Coalition?
The Cape Town Climate Change Coalition (CTCCC) represents a loose alliance of organisations and partners who came together in October 2010 to support Cape Town’s bid to host COP17. Even though the bid was not successful and COP17 is being hosted in Durban, the partners remain committed to continuing the strong network and the resultant benefits such as knowledge sharing and capacity building with respect to climate change.
The partners have resolved to utilise the energy and momentum from South Africa’s hosting of the Climate Change Convention Conference of Parties (COP17) from 28 November - 9 December 2011 to build Cape Town into a city which is more resilient and resource efficient. All partners have signed a charter that commits them to a programme that helps to reduce carbon emissions in Cape Town, to mitigate and especially to adapt to the impacts of climate change, protecting and enhancing the natural, cultural, social and economic environment. The coalition currently consists of 30 partner organisations.
The Climate Smart Cape Town Campaign and the Climate Smart Cape Town Pavilion at COP17 is a project of the CTCCC. The campaign creates awareness of how climate change will affect all who live in Cape Town and the region and encourages people to take action to reduce the risk.
For further information, please visit www.climatesmartcapetown.co.za
Media enquiries:
Stephen Granger: Head of Major Programmes and Projects, Environmental Resource Management Department, City of Cape Town
Cell: 084 331 8638
E-mail stephen.granger@capetown.gov.za
Sheryl Ozinsky
Cell: 083 628 3426
E-mail: sheryl@ozinsky.co.za
