Chairperson, I would like to dedicate this speech today to my six-year-old nephew, Matteo Greyling, and everyone of his generation who will have to deal with the effects of our decisions and actions on this important issue.
Climate change is one of the greatest symbols of inequality in the world, because it is the actions, both past and present, of affluent countries and people that are having a catastrophic impact on the lives of the poor and future generations. We have to secure a post-Kyoto international agreement that would include the mission targets for the world's worst polluters. We only have a few years to breach the current international divide on this issue, if we are to prevent destabilising climate change.
The ID supports some of the progressive work that South Africa has done on the international level to achieve this objective. Back home, however, we can and must do far more to live up to our own responsibility as the 14th biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. Let's stop the rhetoric and talk about real action.
Yesterday the minerals and energy committee, across parties, expressed its collective dismay that the renewable energy sector receives a paltry sum of money, and that we do not have a bold vision for this growing global market. We can lead the world in renewable energy, particularly solar, but it requires government to truly put its money where its mouth is.
Why is Germany building a factory to produce our cutting edge solar panel technology? Why are we not giving substantial tax breaks and subsidies for renewable technology? And why, as Minister Erwin stated yesterday, are we continuing to subsidise the energy costs of hugely energy-intensive companies in South Africa? Why have we stalled the integrated energy planning process and allowed Eskom to simply build five new coal-fired power stations without any thought about how that will push up our emissions? This is old "business as usual" thinking, and what we need is innovative solutions and the belief that we can lead the world in a more sustainable future.
Finally, I believe that we, as MPs, must take personal action, and I congratulate the Deputy Speaker for taking up my plea to make Parliament carbon-neutral by planting trees. As MPs we should also buy trees and do energy audits on our houses to see how we can reduce our own carbon emissions. I have done that and am starting to implement some of those recommendations. I thank you. [Time expired.]