Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, climate change has long since ceased to be a scientific curiosity, and it is no longer just one of many environmental and regulatory concerns. As the United Nations Secretary-General said, and I quote:
It is the major, overriding environmental issue of our time, and the single greatest challenge facing environmental regulators. It is a growing crisis with economic, health and safety, food production, security, and other dimensions.
The ANC-led government has recognised that climate change is a reality in South Africa. The science governing climate change predicts that the temperature in South Africa will increase by between 1 C and 3 C and the country's rainfall is projected to decrease by 5% to 10%. What is of more importance than the statistics is that the South African government is beginning to look at how the impact of climate change on our citizens will be experienced.
The government has recognised that the country's greenhouse gas emissions are too high. This means it emits well above the developing countries average - and more than many developed countries. This is mainly due to reliance on coal for electricity.
Here are the future implications for South Africa. The change in temperature and rainfall will have implications for a number of sectors. Water resources are already under pressure in South Africa, and climate change will lead to a decline in the availability of water resources. This will happen at the same time as socioeconomic development increases the demand for water.
Agriculture is an important source of livelihood for many rural Africans. Yet maize productivity will decrease under climate change, and the areas in which maize can feasibly be grown will decrease, forcing a shift to more drought-tolerant crops, such as sorghum.
Grassland pastures will also change to shrub land and risk invasion by alien plants. The change in range for plant growth will also affect biodiversity, threatening the high number of endemic species found in South Africa, such as the fynbos of the Cape floral kingdom.
The areas of risk from malaria and other vector-borne disease will also increase. That said, South Africa has begun the process of developing plans for adaptation and mitigation of climate change. These policy documents highlight the need to increase the use of green technologies and adaptation to a low-carbon economy.
The politics, economics and social aspects of climate change are global. We are organising and leading COP 17 in South Africa and hope to bring it to a successful conclusion by the end of December 2011.
Chairperson, the budget allocation for the programme of climate change reflects the seriousness with which the South African government is taking the issue of climate change, as is seen in the following. In 2010-11 there was an allocation of approximately R574 million, increasing to R623 million in 2011-2012 and peaking at R654 million in 2012-2013.
Furthermore, South Africa is indeed privileged and honoured to be hosting the 17th United Nations conference on climate change, COP 17, in December 2011. The conference should be used as a rallying point to inform and mobilise our commitments in regard to issues of the environment.
We are indeed humbled by the confidence shown by the UNFCCC in Africa's ability to host this meeting again, after Kenya successfully hosted it in 2006. This presents another opportunity to rise to the occasion, just like we did when the world gave us an opportunity to host the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup tournament.
South Africa needs to utilise the confidence shown by the world and build on the good work done in Mexico. We need to move towards the 17th conference in a spirit of ensuring open consultations with all parties and stakeholders, in order to emerge with an outcome that is acceptable to all parties.
However, we do not need to wait for COP 17 to work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing strategies for cleaner technology and the green economy, including clean energy. The time to ensure that section 24 of the Constitution is realised is now. All South Africans have a constitutional right, and I quote -
a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing; and
b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations ...
Chairperson, the ANC supports Budget Vote 30: Environmental Affairs. I thank you. [Applause.]