Have your say in averting the potential adverse consequences of climate change in South Africa.
Let your voice be heard in strengthening a national climate change policy for South Africa.
Parliament invites you to be a solution in managing climate change.
Call for all-hands-on deck for tackling the potential threats of climate change in South Africa.
Climate change is a major potential threat to sustainable growth and development in South Africa and to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The potential 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 challenges. The potential risks and challenges of climate change for the country and future generations are potentially colossal; needing urgent mitigation and adaptation 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 (UNFCC), in November /December 2011, in Durban.
The Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs in the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa held public hearings, in March 2011, on the National Climate Change Response Green Paper 2010 that was released for written comment by Ms. Edna Molewa MP, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, in Government Gazette 33801 Notice 1083 of 2010, dated 25 November 2010. The substantive insights offered at these hearings provided departmental officials an opportunity to incorporate substantial changes to the Green Paper and formulate an informed and improved White Paper.
The Portfolio Committee invites all interested stakeholders to submit written comments on the White Paper, by not later than 16h00, on 20 October 2011. Public hearings are targeted for October/November 2011 and will probably commence around 25 October to 11 November 2011, with the Departmental briefings taking place on 18 and 19 October 2011.
Kindly note that the Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs retains the right to regulate its own proceedings, including the right to decide whether to allow oral representations in respect of any submission, and the format, procedure and duration of any oral representation.
All written comments appropriately referenced as ‘’National Climate Change Response White Paper 2011’’ should be addressed to Ms Tyhileka Madubela, Committee Section, Parliament of RSA, PO Box 15, Cape Town 8000. Electronic submissions can be made at: tmadubela@parliament.gov.za or hand-delivered at Room 0/88, 3rd Floor, 90 Plein Street, Cape Town.
For enquiries, contact:
Ms Madubela
Tel: 021 403 3713
Cell: 083 304 9586
