Hon Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, Hon Members, distinguished guests, I greet you all. As a point of entry to this important festival of ideas or "intellectual wrestling" if you like, we would begin by thanking the ANC and the people of South Africa which have afforded us a space to contribute towards exploring responses to the urgency to combat the reality of climate change.
IsiZulu:
Ukuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu. [Climate change]
English:
It is almost two years since the ANC held its 54th National Conference which was not only a platform to refresh the leadership mandate but the conference also took very clear resolutions aimed at realising the fundamental goals of the ANC. Flowing from the above, international work is one of the pillars of our struggle for progressive and radical change mainly hence the ANC also has an internationalist character amongst others. This therefore means that the ANC is not immune from many serious challenges facing the global village and community. Key amongst many global challenges is the unremitting spread of climate change notwithstanding a variety of initiatives including laws, conferences, treaties, regulations and policies aimed at arresting climate change. The recent re-emergence of tension amongst old international rivals - we know who I am talking about - is contributing towards ensuring that there is a lack of practical actions aimed at dealing with climate change as they have moved out of the Paris Agreement, we know who we are talking about. Key amongst many global challenges is the unremitting spread of climate change.
The attainment of radical economic transformation is strongly dependent on the extent to which growth and development activities will advance principles of environmental sustainability. The depletion of natural resources in the province of KwaZulu-Natal and
the impact associated with the decline in resource quality is of major concern as it threatens the future wellbeing of people and economy. We are cognisant of the unfortunate reality that the poor will be the first to bear the brutal brunt of climate change. Indulge us chairperson as we begin this debate by properly defining the term climate change. Most scholars agree that it refers to, "a change in global or regional climate patterns." This change is, "attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels." The dominant economic paradigm of neoliberal economic growth obsessed with profits before people and environment has largely contributed to climate change. Our government through its progressive legislative framework is steadfast in its resolve to replace neoliberal economic paradigm with one that is more resilient and not obsessed with profits before people and environment. This includes a shift to greater social justice and equity.
In a world characterised by global natural resource depletion and growing social inequality, there is increasingly global agreement on the need for action plans on sustainable development, a concept that forms the cornerstone of a wide variety of global commitments. The South African government has committed itself to the implementation of many of these global agreements, and since the 2002 Johannesburg
World Summit on Sustainable Development has sought to take a global leadership role in this field.
The ANC-led province of KwaZulu-Natal has laid a foundation and set in place structures as well as developed province focused strategic documents aimed towards the implementation of tangible response projects on the ground. This has of course been achieved taking guidance from the 2011 National Climate Change Response Policy as well as the recent National Adaptation Strategy. To date KwaZulu- Natal has reviewed its sector's climate change risk and vulnerability levels from the ones determined in 2009. This work has been guided by national processes that have taken place since 2011. The Provincial Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Implementation Plan guided by the recent vulnerability assessment therefore prioritises the most critical sectors which is, Water resources, Agriculture and Food Security, Marine and Coastal zones, Biodiversity and ecosystems, Human health, Human settlements, Transport and infrastructure as well as Disaster Management.
Similar assessments of risks and vulnerabilities propagated by climate change were also conducted at all the 10 districts of the province with the metro having done so a while ago. The outcomes of these assessments have identified a range of sectors that require
prioritisation at a district level. In agriculture and food security is the promotion of climate smart agricultural practices to be mainstreamed within the agricultural sector. In human settlements ...
IsiZulu:
... akekho ongakhohlwa sibuka komabonakude abantu bakithi bedilikelwa yimizi koMlaza, KwaMashu, Ntuzuma, Mpophomeni, Ntabamhlophe, koZakheni abanye bemuka nezimoto ngalesi sikhathi kufika uzamcolo wesichotho ngesikhathi lina kakhulu izulu ngonyaka ophelile. Uhulumeni wethu kumele usebenze kanzima ukufundisa abantu bakithi ukuthi bangakhi eduze kwemifula nalapho okwakhe kwabakhona amadamu ngoba uma ufika uzamcolo ukhukhula kwasani.
English:
In disaster risk reduction, the capacities of Disaster Risk Management, DRM, units need to be strengthened at all levels. This measure is also a prerequisite for the mainstreaming of DRM measures into municipalities and line departments. The human health adaptation option suggests enhancing the capacity of role-players in the health sector. In light of the recent drought in KwaZulu-Natal, the water resources need an integrated water resources management
approach. This can strengthen water use efficiency and the utilisation of a diverse set of water sources for different uses.
The climate proofing of water infrastructure as well as the protection and rehabilitation of ecological infrastructure should also become an adaptation priority for the sector. The marine and coastal zones need an integrated coastal management approach which focuses on disaster risk reduction, consideration of climate risks in zoning, the climate proofing of coastal infrastructure as well as the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems.
Lastly, the transport and public infrastructure to create more awareness on the effects that climate change will have on transport and public infrastructure amongst the key role-players in the sector. On low emissions, KwaZulu-Natal being one of largest economies in the country, which is developing at a faster pace, it contributes remarkably to greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change. KwaZulu-Natal is made up of a number of busiest economic hubs, zones found in Durban, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg and Newcastle. These economies are heavily reliant on energy generated from the burning of non-renewable fossil fuels which unfortunately release harmful greenhouse gases and, in particular,
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which has led to global climate change.
IsiZulu:
Abantu abahlala eNingizimu NeTheku abazize ko-Lamontiville, Wentworth, Jacobs, bakwazi kahle ukuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu nokunukubezeka komoya abawuphefumulayo.
English:
The province therefore is working to advance its efforts to monitor and reduce the levels greenhouse gas emissions, mainly focusing on the energy, transportation and waste sector emissions. Currently, the province is working on a Climate Footprint Project. The project was initiated last month and will last until 2021; it involves District municipalities. The main objectives of the project will be to quantify emissions from the sectors identified, through developing a province specific greenhouse gas emission inventory. Through trade and investment we are co-ordinating public and private sector investments in order to maximise growth impact of total investment potential, taking into account the proven potential of investment in sustainable resource use such as renewable energy, energy efficient buildings and local food production and markets.
The province has undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at promoting the integration of cleaner production and eco-efficiency measures with the business units. These include establishing an industrial waste minimisation and promoting cleaner production initiatives in the hospitality and tourism industry in the province. A shift to the ... [Time expired.] I thank you. [Applause.]
Afrikaans: