The other issue is that indeed when we talk of a provincial programme of action, it should be located within the Minister's strategy. This is not a provincial programme of action independent of the South African Ministry. Therefore, the Western Cape should locate itself correctly in such a way that it is not detached from South Africa. [Interjections.]
I think we need to welcome what Salga said. But we request Salga to also intensify capacity-building in municipalities. Municipalities need to complement what the state is doing as the third sphere of government. It can't be that everything will always be done by the department. We need complementary relations as spheres and organs of state. We say this because water shortages in most cases are as a result of the lack of capacity to lead at the local level.
The position of the ANC on environmental issues has been consistent and it is reflected in the Reconstruction and Development Programme document. It is the vision that has informed the various policies, programmes and actions of government since 1994. This is a plan to better the lives of the people.
In November 2004, Cabinet adopted a climate change response strategy, which outlines South Africa's response to climate change. The document sought to address those issues identified as priorities when dealing with climate change within the country. This is geared towards the objective of reducing carbon emissions so that our atmosphere does breathe the correct air that is necessary for the survival of fauna and flora.
According to the Green Paper on the National Climate Change Response Strategy, our government regards climate change as one of the greatest threats to sustainable development. Indeed, the ANC has played a leading role in shaping global debates on environmental justice, including through our participation in the Rio Earth Summit, followed by South Africa's hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, whose resolution has informed all departmental strategies that we are talking about today. However, we still need more efforts as the people of the country to realise those resolutions.
South Africa will be hosting the 17th Conference of the Parties, COP 17, on climate change in Durban in December this year. South Africa will be seeking an outcome that is fair, equitable, implementable and effective in response to the issues of climate change. What then should be an expected outcome of this conference? I think we need to commend the Minister on the debate she presented in Mexico last year. Taking from that, I think we have seen the political will by South Africa to engage on this one.
I think, going forward, Minister, you have to ensure that indeed the Copenhagen Accord, in which South Africa played a major role, is realised, because we were a role-player in that accord. We also need to ensure that other - especially developed - countries are bound by the Kyoto Protocol. The indecisiveness of the Copenhagen 15th Conference of the Parties, COP 15, means that we have a major challenge as South Africa to rise to the occasion.
South Africa and Africa will be hardest hit by the impact of climate change. We are aware that the current vulnerabilities to floods and fires in informal settlements are exacerbated by their location in flood and ponding-prone areas. The use of inferior building materials, structures built on sand dunes, and inadequate road access for emergency vehicles can therefore be prevented by proper human settlement planning by all spheres of governance and civil society.
South Africa, like other countries, is experiencing unique and abnormal climate changes, such as winter rainfall in areas where we used to receive summer rainfall. This is beginning to tell us that indeed trouble is coming. This demonstrates the effects of climate change. It is imperative that we recognise the centrality of all spheres of government in addressing climate change and that the necessary support is provided for alignment, integration and co-ordination of climate change.
We are happy and we commend the Minister on talking about public climate change awareness, which should also be extended to our traditional leaders where some of these things are happening. We see veld fires in areas where there are traditional leaders. All these things are happening there. Therefore, this awareness must be taken to the traditional leaders, indunas [headman] and everyone so that together we can prevent the scourge that comes about a result of climate change.
In Cancun, Mexico, there was concern, especially between the delegation of South African parliamentarians and European Union parliamentarians, about the role parliaments play in terms of climate change. It's as though it is just an element that concerns only the executive authority and that parliamentarians are not engaged.
Therefore, if some countries do not want to sign a particular binding commitment, it is still a problem. Therefore, we need, as the South African Parliament, to begin to locate ourselves strategically on how to debate this matter and to come up with policies that will enhance the work of our executive authority in South Africa, in Africa and in the world at large. I think this is very important. However, we do acknowledge the good work that the executive authority is doing.
The biodiversity enforcement unit and the national wildlife crime reaction unit have been established to strengthen the protection of fauna and flora. We are happy with some of the issues that are happening in the country, especially the example of the protection of rhinos. There is a high rate in the killing of rhinos because the criminals want the horn. Protecting the rhino should also form part of protecting the natural environment of our rhinos. Regulations for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora were published to combat this illegal activity. We would want the government to indeed make sure that, as a leader, it takes charge.
With regard to this department, we welcome the 10 000 jobs that were created as a result of hospitality and biodiversity, and we need to commend that. However, the department, together with other departments, especially the Department of Energy, should begin to campaign vigorously for the use of solar systems and wind systems so as to begin to reduce the use of fossil fuels, because that, in essence, is a contribution to climate change that causes climate warming.
Together with the department we have seen our people in the Working on Fire programme, the Working for the Coast campaign, Working for Tourism and in many other campaigns. These are commendable campaigns that show that the department is indeed prepared to not only create jobs, but also to ensure that this is a people-driven society.
In conclusion, in terms of what has been said about various provinces needing bulk water supply to be fast-tracked, there is another area that the department must pay attention to at Nandoni, Limpopo. There is a project that is supposed to be taking water to the Batlokwa at Matoks. But there is a conflict with the bidders. We would like the department to intervene because people can't wait for the conflict involving those who want to gain monetarily to end. Thank you. [Applause.]