The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa will deliver a keynote address at the Green Cities Conference: Promoting the non-motorised transport agenda.
The Green Cities Conference, a project of the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), in partnership with KfW Development Bank (on behalf of the German Government), and in close collaboration with the Department of Transport started today, 2 August 2012 and is aimed at promoting the National Greening Programme and non-motorised transport (NMT).
The conference also seeks to demonstrate the interface between transport 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.
Today the local experts on universal design, bicycle share, transport planning and greener transport technology discussed ways in which South African cities can achieve climate-friendly urban mobility and the reasons why South Africa is investing in walking and cycling ‘instead of’ focusing on public transport only.
Tomorrow, 3 August 2012, Minister Molewa will join the discussions as it is elevated to real-life examples of walking and cycling projects implemented in Polokwane, Johannesburg and eThekwini.
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. The first demonstration project was undertaken in eThekwini Metro in hosting the United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP 17/CMP7 event, with an aim to promote safe, healthy, low-cost and carbon free urban mobility by extending NMT infrastructure and establishing an integrated NMT network.
The conference is open to media.
Conference details:
Date: Friday, 3 August 2012
Time: The Minister will deliver her address at 9h15. The conference takes place from 8h30 until 13h00.
Venue: Gallagher Estate, 19 Richards Drive, Midrand, Johannesburg
To RSVP and for media queries contact:
Roopa Singh
Cell: 082 225 3076
DimakatsoTsutsubi
Cell: 084 809 4329
