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Local governments have resolved to add some green to the picture painted of the future; the outlook is gloomy if nothing is done to stop climate change.
Joburg Executive Mayor, Amos Masondo, signs a declaration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the city
THE sphere of government closest to the people hopes to lead the way in finding solutions to global warming. Municipalities across South Africa made a commitment to bring about a greener South Africa at the close of the first-ever Local Government Climate Change Summit.
The summit was hosted by the City of Johannesburg in association with the South African Local Government Association.
Under the theme All hands on deck: towards a low carbon economy, over 500 representatives of local government, non-government organisations and private sector players, and academics thrashed out policy and practical measures to curb the growing threat of climate change.
Held at the Nasrec International Exhibition Centre on 2 and 3 June, delegates deliberated on the effects of climate change on natural resources and the role it plays in energy consumption, transport, forced migration and waste, among other things.
"The number, diversity and skill of attendees present reflect the important light in which everyone sees the event," said Johannesburg Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, who is also the chairperson of the South African Local Government Association, at the opening of the summit.
With cities home to half of the world's population and contributing to 80 percent of greenhouse gases, everybody agreed that local government would have to play an increasingly important role in future climate change efforts.
It's happening here
And since Africa has pulled the shortest climate-change straw, South African leaders may be expected in future to show the way. Experts predict that the continent will feel the brunt of global warming.
Guests to the climate change summit were shown a new brazier which reduces smoke, burns quicker and reduces emissions
"Africa is at the biggest risk because of its poor adaptive capacity and multiple stresses playing a role on the continent," said Coleen Vogel, a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand and a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In particular, the northern and southern parts of Africa will be at greatest risk of aberrant climatic conditions and drought.
Vogel painted a grim picture of what to expect in the next 20 years.
The most significant effect of climate change would be felt on our water resources and ecosystems, she added. With temperatures expected to increase a few degrees more in the next few decades, the world was at risk of losing one third of its species.
A recent assessment report by the IPCC gives more bad news. Lower rainfall in areas dependent on rain-fed agriculture will reduce production by up to 50 percent. Combined with this, an additional 250 million people may experience greater water stress by 2020.
Lessening the effects of global warming seemed to be the magic words at the moment; however, in Africa in particular, the focus needed to be on adaptation, Vogel stressed. "We need more science. We need more science on how to best bend the [climate change] curve."
She suggested morphing ideas, sharing information and piggy-backing various sectors together. "Can we use the present plans for the future? I don't think so ... If you are in a hole, find a ladder fast."
Finding a ladder
One potential ladder for South Africa comes from an unwelcome source - the current energy crisis. Jan Hartke, from the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) and the Clinton Climate Initiative, was encouraged by the South African effort to combat climate change and the City of Johannesburg's role in leading the way.
Johannesburg is a C40 member and works closely with the Clinton initiative on a number of projects, such as the Bus Rapid Transit system and retrofitting council buildings and street lighting with energy efficient systems.
The energy scarcity and global warming may be the catalyst for change and many new opportunities, Hartke said. "Challenges breed opportunities."
And Masondo confirmed that the restructuring of the ageing water, waste and electricity infrastructure Johannesburg was undertaking allowed environmentally friendly technologies and sustainable changes to be introduced. "We view environmental management as an opportunity to advance sustainable development in the city."
Carbon crunching
Absa's Colin King supported this thinking. "The current electricity crisis is creating a favourable regulatory and economic climate for CDM [Clean Development Mechanism]."
Executive Mayor, Amos Masondo delivers a key note address at the climate change summit
According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the CDM, defined in the Kyoto Protocol, allows a country with an emission-reduction or emission-limitation commitment under the protocol to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries. Such projects can earn saleable certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2, which can be counted towards meeting protocol targets.
Although the cost factor for CDM and sustainable carbon offsetting projects is still quite high, not acting will cost the world more. The Stern Report speculates that the cost of doing nothing could be anything from five to 20 times higher in the long run.
And, said Yaw Afrane-Okese, speaking on behalf of the National Business Initiative, change was also taking place in the business community. Some champions were Anglogold Ashanti, whose energy efficiency interventions and pump efficiency projects had saved over R6-million in energy consumption; Tiger Brands, which switched from coal boilers to natural gas boilers; Sasol's massive biofuel research; and Pick 'n Pay, which recorded 60 percent in savings just by changing from open coffin fridges to vertical door refrigeration.
However, proper structures and policy frameworks were still lacking in South Africa. "Few companies had figures for measuring and targets set for carbon emissions."
The time is now
The eight breakaway sessions looked at policy, carbon financing, forced migration, waste management, transport, natural resources, energy and other climate change issues in closer detail. Delegates were given key issues to be considered in each topic, with industry leaders giving background information and recommendations.
The Joburg Fresh Produce Market stand at the summit attracted much attention
A pressing need for action came out of all the sessions.
In terms of policy, the need for climate change to be adopted as part of municipal integrated development plans (IDPs), was accepted. The transport session pulled out the issue of reliable and safe public transport as a prerequisite for people to change their commuting behaviour.
In the climate change and buildings session, the need to continue and to accelerate current urban restructuring programmes was acknowledged. Johannesburg is leading the way in this field, with an urban development framework that encourages infill and re-densification patterns along major public transport routes as opposed to urban sprawl.
The waste management sector also has a critical role to play in reducing carbon emissions. But while waste as an alternative energy source had huge potential, mixed waste was a poor fuel, delegates attending this session heard. The key lay in waste separation at source, which was largely an untapped option.
The mayor takes a stand against littering at the summit (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
Protecting our natural resources, of which water is probably the most important, was high on the agenda. The battle for natural resources would be lost or won in cities, delegates were told. Water and energy use are interdependent, and savings in one will result in savings in other sectors.
Johannesburg's Operation Gcin'amanzi, which focuses on upgrading the water network in Soweto, has saved the City billions of rands, the benefits of which can be diverted to other sectors.
Johannesburg has set its target on reducing energy demand by 25 mega watts by 2011. "Long before the current electricity crisis became the media headline of the day, Johannesburg already had a strategy on reducing electricity," Masondo pointed out.
Carbon finance remains one of the denser climate change topics. Besides the bureaucratic red tape of the current system, doubts were raised whether CDM projects were viable beyond 2010. The lack of practical examples of successful CDM projects was also a concern, while CER ownerships were unclear.
At the summit's conclusion, delegates formally adopted a Local Government Declaration on Climate Change, committing to the fast-tracking of mitigation and adaptation programmes.
"Local governments' programmes and plans can significantly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and help communities to adapt," Masondo said at the close.
In December 2009, countries will negotiate a new Climate Change Framework in Denmark, Copenhagen. For more information, visit the Climate Change Summit website.
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