Chairperson, Madam Minister, hon members and guests, it is perhaps fitting with the imminent first state visit of the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, that I open with his wise words, and I quote:
This is the moment when we must come together to save this planet. Let us resolve that we will not leave our children a world where the oceans rise, famine spreads and terrible storms devastate our land.
We live in a fast and ever-changing environment where enormous pressure and demands are being placed on our precious planet and its limited resources. Our population is ever on the increase, urban development continues at an alarming rate, housing as well as transport, both road and air, are all part of a growing demand that faces us on a daily basis. The quest for employment sees an ever-increasing demand on the commercial, industrial and mining sectors.
In the pursuit of economic freedom we often forget and neglect our environmental freedom. This all occurs on a finite resource base further compounded by increase in carbon emission, waste and various other by- products that are increasingly destroying the very world that we cherish.
One of the challenges facing our environment in South Africa is mining, an industry that is interwoven into the very fabric of our nation and an industry that will remain at the heart of our country for decades to come. Mining plays a vital role in the growth and development of South Africa and its economy. However, if not monitored and controlled it has an impact on our country's biodiversity that is not sustainable.
As a nation, government, industry and business, we must realise that the environment is not a free commodity. Everything we do has an impact on our environment and ultimately our future and the future of our children.
We need to ensure that all our mines respect and adhere to our environmental policies and legislation. Many do and many lead by fine example; however, some do not and do not operate with any reverence for our laws and our environment. These renegade operators need to be brought to book and face the might of the law.
One of the greatest challenges we face is the threat to our fresh water supply, particularly in the pursuit of mining, minerals and the industrial sector. Catchments are already heavily polluted by the mining sector and 6 out of 19 of these catchment areas will not have enough water to meet sustained demands by 2030. Twelve percent of our land generates 50% of our river flow and much of this 12% is in the coal-rich mining areas. To sustain life as we know it, fresh water must take centre stage.
The National Development Plan recognises the difficulty in moving to a resilient low-carbon economy but does not address the protection of our fresh water resource. Coal accounts for the bulk of our energy supply and energy production accounts for 70% of our green house gas emissions.
Mining and the processing of minerals demand very high energy consumption. Eskom further compounds our environmental impact with very little mind- shift when it comes to coal-powered stations. If anything, this number will soon increase from 10 to 12 coal-driven stations.
Due to these challenges, Parliament passed an amendment to the National Environmental Management Act in 2008. The purpose was to move the issue of mining licences from the Departments of Energy and of Mineral Resources to the Departments of Water Affairs and of Environmental Affairs. This relied on amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act which were also passed. It would appear that the reasons for these amendments have still to come to fruition and a grey and murky area exists between the two departments as to the granting of mining licences.
The Department of Mineral Resources does not have a great track record when it comes to environmental governance. All three departments - the Department of Water Affairs the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Department of Mineral Resources, need to develop closer co-operation to address these challenges. Currently, more than 70 mines are operating without water licences. This matter needs immediate attention and the sole responsibility should be placed at the door of the Departments of Water Affairs and Environmental Affairs; to belabour this issue is to the detriment of our resources.
In both the Department of Water Affairs and the Department of Environmental Affairs, staffing to enforce compliance and monitoring remains a challenge. Only 30 dedicated posts exist. There is a constant challenge in trying to retain skilled staff. If one considers the Water Affairs report on water monitoring on waste discharge points, sampling points and mines, the figures speak for themselves. Regarding both waste discharge and sampling points, only an average of 50% of the targets were achieved and only 457 of our almost 1 600 mines have been inspected.
The Green Scorpions have been a welcome asset to the department in dealing with national environmental compliance and monitoring. These posts have increased from 903 in 2010 to in excess of 1 400. However, if one takes into account that 600 of these posts are in our national parks and a few hundred in our provincial parks, only 66 dedicated Green Scorpions are utilised in the department nationally; a tall order, taking into account the number of posts and the enormity of the task at hand.
The Minister, her department and the portfolio committee need to be congratulated on realising the necessity of the green economy. The green car project is an initiative of forward thinking and planning. I just hope I'm around to drive one of those cars.
The DA-led government in the Western Cape - as the Minister so aptly said to me during the water debate, "listen, you'll become cleverer" - is leading the way in environmental programmes in South Africa. In creating an enabling environment where business can flourish, the Western Cape identified the need to stimulate South Africa's green economic hub.
The province has become the leader in the manufacturing of solar and wind- generated power industries. It launched the 110% Green Initiative, the Genius of Place concept, the Smart Living and Working project, as well as the Green Economy and Strategy Framework. These show the difference that clear political will and direction can make in implementing real change. As the saying goes: "Some lead and the others will follow".
I would like to close with a statement from Richard Branson, and I quote:
We've a chance to take a shot at really working together to turn upside down the way we approach the challenges we are facing in the world and to look at them in a brand new, entrepreneurial way. Never has there been a more exciting time for all of us to explore this next great frontier where the boundaries between work and higher purpose are merging into one.
I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]