2011-12-06: World Mayors signed Durban climate change adaptation charter
THE City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Clr Parks Tau joined more than 100 mayors and governors from cities and states around the World who adopted the Durban Climate Change Adaptation Charter today.
The three-day Durban Local Government convention ended up proceeding yesterday afternoon with an enthusiastic plea for the COP 17 negotiators taking the role of local government more seriously in the negotiations.
“Cities are at the cutting edge of climate change pressure with rapidly expanding urban populations that are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events and food shortage”, said David Cudman, the president of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.
Cities mayors talked about efforts that their cities are undertaking to improve their communities’ quality of life, especially poor. They also focused on protecting and enhancing functioning ecosystems which should viewed as core municipal green infrastructure.
Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Clr Parks Tau joined a long queue during the signing of the pledge to commit the City of Johannesburg. SALGA, Chief Executive Officer, Xolile George, said “cities are well placed to address climate change through changing the way municipal services are provided and through local regulation, leadership and innovation”.
Clr James Nxumalo, the Executive Mayor of eThekwini Municipality and the custodian if the Charter will formally present the Durban Adaption Charter on their behalf to the High Level Segment of COP17/CMP7.
Local government has not had a voice in the climate change negotiation but after two decades of global climate advocacy, last year’s COP16 in Cancun recognised local government as a key stakeholder in the global climate regime.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Nkosinathi Nkabinde
Communication Specialist
City of Johannesburg Public Liaison Department
Tel: (011) 407-6477
Cell: 083 408 7787
E-mail: nkosinathin@joburg.org.za
