enquiries regarding the governing parties Polokwane resolution on climate
change
23 December 2007
Minister hails Polokwane leadership on climate change
Last week in Bali, in response to the urgency of action to combat and adapt
to climate change, South Africa played a leading role along with other partners
to get a commitment from all countries to a Bali-roadmap for negotiations. This
has launched two years of intensive negotiations with a view to strengthen the
climate regime beyond 2012.
It is important that this international leadership role also extends to
domestic policy and that collectively government, business, civil society and
every citizen takes hands in the battle against climate change.
The resolution on climate change adopted in Polokwane by the governing party
is therefore a critical milestone that should be applauded. As a progressive
force that understands that climate change effects poorest communities the
most, the governing party has unambiguously signalled it resolve to seriously
and urgently address the challenge of climate change in government. The
resolution commits us to far-reaching and decisive policy responses and
strengthens the mandate of government to take the tough decisions that will be
required.
Specific elements of the resolution that could find application in
government policy in the short term, especially as we finalise the long term
mitigation scenario study and governments' policy response, includes:
* To continue to pro-actively build our capacity to adapt to the inevitable
impacts of climate change, most importantly in the roll-out of basic services,
infrastructure planning, agriculture, biodiversity, water resource management
and in the health sector.
* To further integrate climate change considerations with sustainable
development strategies, the science and technology agenda, integrated energy
planning, transport policy and industrial policy. In this context to maximise
the integration of a full cost accounted economy in which product life cycle of
products is internalised and the goal of zero waste production is
pursued.
* Set a target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as part of our
responsibility to protect the environment and promote sustainable development,
and to participate in sharing the burden with the global community under a
common framework of action.
* Support the meeting of the target through:
1. energy efficiency improvements in industry, households and by setting
vehicle fuel efficiency standards
2. diversifying energy sources away from coal, including through nuclear energy
and renewable sources, especially solar power
3. putting a price on the emission of carbon dioxide and other green house
gasses
4. allocating significant additional resources for the research, development
and diffusion of innovative clean and low-carbon technologies, including by
retrofitting existing technologies
5. further exploration and development of carbon capture and storage methods,
aware of the challenges to environmental efficacy and cost that these
interventions entail.
Although certain processes must still be followed to convert policy resolutions
into government policy, the climate change resolution by the governing parties'
conference is a strong signal to the world and a commendable step forward.
Please contact the African National Congress media office for a copy of the
resolution.
Enquiries:
Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923
Issued by: Department of Environment Affairs and Tourism
23 December 2007
