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World
leaders are expected to thrash out a new climate change deal at the 15th
Climate Change Conference of Parties in Copenhagen to replace the Kyoto
Protocol.
JOHANNESBURG
will be represented at a crucial climate change conference taking place in
Copenhagen, in Denmark, from 7 to 18 December.
One way of tackling climate change is through building energy efficient structures
The
conference, the Copenhagen 15th Climate Change Conference of Parties, will be
held under the auspices of the United Nations. It is considered one of the most
important climate conferences, with world leaders expected to negotiate a new
climate change deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol.
It
comes against the backdrop of Africa being one of the continents hardest hit by
climate change.
The
City of Johannesburg will attend as a member of both the C40 and the ICLEI. The
ICLEI is the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives made up
of more than 630 cities; towns; countries; national, regional and local
government organisations that are committed to locally designed initiatives for
sustainable development.
The
C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group is a group of 40 of the world's
largest cities that are committed to tackling climate change. Johannesburg is
the only South African city to belong to the C40.
Joburg's
team for Copenhagen will include officials from the City's department of
environment, including the executive director, Flora Mokgohloa.
Greenhouse
gas
At the heart of the conference will be decisions targeting the reduction of
greenhouse emissions, so influencing climate change.
Local
governments will be pushing for a strong and comprehensive post-2012 global climate
agreement and recognition of the role they must play in climate protection and
the new climate agreement, according to a press release issued by the City.
"Cities
will be put on the top of the global climate agenda," the City said, explaining
that Johannesburg would be there "to participate and contribute by assisting
cities to create a united 'city voice' and show leadership in the climate
change debate".
Greening projects across the city
This
follows the first Local Government Climate Change Summit
held in June 2008 by the South African Local Government Association (Salga) and the City of
Johannesburg. At that summit South African local government groups discussed
climate change for the first time and signed up to the Salga Declaration on
Climate Change.
In
the declaration, local governments recognised the reality and seriousness of
climate change and the essential role they played in responding to it.
Effects
Climate change will have a significant effect on Johannesburg, according to
Linda Phalatse, the City's deputy director of climate change and cleaner
production. It will affect the environment, health, community development,
livelihoods, infrastructure and the economy.
According
to the City, scientists project that Joburg's climate will become significantly
hotter and more humid in future, with temperatures possibly increasing by as
much as 2,3°C by 2065
and 4,4° by 2100.
"To
combat climate change, it is imperative that the City works hard to reduce its
carbon footprint and moves to a less carbon intensive city."
According
to a C40 report, cities consume 75 percent of the world's energy and are
responsible for up to 75 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. For that
reason, any solution to the climate crisis requires active participation from
cities - with support from businesses and communities.
"This
is a critical time in the development of the city," says Mokgohloa. "It is the
decisions we make today that will influence the Johannesburg of the future -
whether we rely on more renewable forms of energy, design energy efficient
buildings, plan our city to minimise its carbon footprint and protect
communities from the impacts of climate change."
Joburg
is determined to take decisive and urgent action on climate change. Already
steps are being taken. Some of the
City's initiatives include improving the environment and launching greening
projects - City Parks has received international recognition
for its efforts
from the UN and has won
several Liveable Communities Awards.
It
has made moves to improve energy efficiency in municipal-owned and other
buildings; encourage
the use of public transport and reduce the use of private vehicles on roads through
Rea Vaya; and recycle waste material.
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