Climate change is a major threat to sustainable growth and development in South Africa and to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The impacts of climate change in terms of diminished natural resources, increased flooding and drought, reduced agricultural production, worsening food insecurity and spreading diseases, are already evident in our country, with many of our poor communities with the fewest choices and least access to resources bearing the full brunt of these adverse impacts.
The risks and challenges of climate change for the country and future generations are colossal; needing urgent mitigation and adaptations measures.
The need for all South Africans to have a shared understanding of climate change and the mechanisms for transforming its threats into opportunities for sustainable development cannot be overemphasised, particularly as South Africa has the unique opportunity to host the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 2011 in Durban.
Parliament of Republic of South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs will be holding public hearings on the National Climate Change Response Green Paper 2010 that was released for written comment by the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs late last year.
The Committee calls on all the interested stakeholders to submit written comments on the Green Paper, not later than 16h00 on 15 February 2011.
Public hearings are targeted for late February or early March 2011. Specific dates and times will be provided after the deadline has been met.
All written comments appropriately referenced as ‘’National Climate Change Response Green Paper 2010’’ should be addressed to Ms Tyhileka Madubela, Committee Section, Parliament of RSA, PO Box 15, Cape Town 8000.
Or to: tmadubela@parliament.gov.za, or can be hand-delivered to Room 0/88, 3rd Floor, 90 Plein Street, Cape Town. Ms Madubela can also be reached on 021 403 3713 or 083 304 9586.
For inquiries or interviews with the chairperson, please contact:
Mr Mava Lukani (Parliamentary Communication Services (PCS))
Tel: 021 403 8738
Fax: 021 403 3931
Cell: 072 589 9355
E-mail: mlukani@parliament.gov.za
Source: Parliament of South Africa
