2009-11-09: Joburg to attend critical UN climate change conference
The countdown has begun to one of the most pivotal meetings in world history – the Copenhagen 15th Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP 15) takes place from 07 – 18 December 2009. The world’s leaders will negotiate a new climate change deal to replace the Kyoto protocol, which expires in 2012.
The agreements made at this event will dictate to a large extent whether or not dangerous climate change is avoided. It is hoped that the conference will result in strong and effective international climate deal with ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The City of Johannesburg will be attending the meeting as C40 and ICLEI member – organisations committed to halting environmental degradation in the cities around the world. The C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group is a group of 40 of the world’s largest cities committed to tackling climate change. The City of Johannesburg is the only South African city that is a member of the C40.
During this Conference, 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. At the Copenhagen Climate Summit for Mayors hosted by C40 and ICLEI, cities will be put on the top of the global climate agenda. The City of Johannesburg will be there to participate and contribute by assisting cities to create a united ‘city voice’ and show leadership in the climate change debate.
This commitment follows on from the first Local Government Climate Change Summit hosted by SALGA and the City of Johannesburg, in June 2008. At the Summit, local government engaged on climate change for the first time and signed up to the South Africa Local Government Declaration on Climate Change. In this declaration, local authorities recognized the reality and seriousness of climate change and the essential role they play in responding to it.
Africa will be one of the continents hardest hit by climate change and is already suffering from some of its effects. Moreover, despite Johannesburg’s inland location, climate change will have a significant impact on the city, affecting the environment, health, community development, livelihoods, infrastructure and the economy. Scientists project that the local Johannesburg climate is likely to become both significantly hotter and more humid in future. Temperatures may increase by approximately 2.3?C by the near future (2056 – 2065) and approximately 4.4?C by the far future (2081 – 2100) under the business as usual scenario. There are also possibilities of increased annual rainfall and extreme weather events. It’s accepted that the world has to prepare for some degree of climate change, including an increase in extreme weather conditions, due to past and present emissions of greenhouse gases.
To combat climate change, it’s imperative that the city works hard to reduce its carbon footprint and move to a less carbon intensive city. The C40 group reports that cities consume 75% of the world’s energy and are responsible for up to 75% of global CO2 emissions. Any solution to the climate crisis must, therefore, involve active participation from cities. And this cannot be done without the support and initiative of businesses and communities.
“This is a critical time in the development of the city. 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. The City of Johannesburg realises the importance of acting now for a better future”, says Flora Mokgohloa, Executive Director of the Environmental Department at the City of Johannesburg.
The City of Johannesburg prides itself on being a World Class African City. It is through decisive and urgent action on climate change by its citizens and leaders that the city can realize a World Class status in the climate change challenge.
For more information contact:
Linda Phalatse
Deputy Director: Climate Change and Cleaner Production
City of Johannesburg Environmental Management Department
Tel: (011) 407-6255
E-mail: lindap@joburg.org.za
OR
Nkosinathi Nkabinde
Communication Specialist
City of Johannesburg Public Liaison Department
Tel: (011) 407-6477
Cell: 083 408 7787
E-mail: nkosinathin@joburg.org.za
