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26 October 2005 By Mia Antoni
Contact: Quentin Hurt |
Climate Change conference makes historyHosted by the South African government, the first ever National Climate Change conference was held at Gallagher Estates from the 17-20 October 2005. Ecoserv sent representatives, Quentin Hurt and Mia Antoni to learn more about what specialist scientists predict for South Africa 's future climate. The Conference was split in a Science Conference which ran from the 17-19 and the Consultative conference which ran from 18-20 October. The Science conference was opened by Minister for Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Martinus Van Schalkwyk and the keynote address was given by the Minister for Science and Technology, Minister Mangena. There were several speakers of interest on the opening day of the conference of which of particular interest was Professor Andrew Watkinson's presentation on “Translating sound climate science into public policy”. Most presentations given revolved around issues of climate change modeling and the parameters affecting modeling, the predicted impacts of a changing climate, what mitigating steps could be taken to lessen the impacts and what strategy for adaptation could be instituted to allow for reducing impacts. Presentations focused on the showing the possible affects on biodiversity, agriculture, animals, the marine environment and human health. The consultative conference was opened also be Minister Van Schalkwyk but the keynote address was given by the Deputy President of South Africa, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. The consultative conference opening presentations focused on the giving examples of the actions of the international community in combating climate change and then swung in the direction of examining more closely the societal affects climate change will have. Issues such as vulnerability of communities, water shortages, food security, and natural disasters were the highlights of this agenda. As the conference progressed the theme switched more to the what action South Africa needs to take as a country to adequately both mitigate further climate change and to stimulate South African society as a whole to adapt to the coming possible changes in climate and how it will affect lives. The conference ended by agreeing South Africa's position statement on climate change and was closed by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister Van Der Merwe who discussed South Africa 's larger role in society as a Global Citizen. An important outcome of the conference was that government and Business Unity SA signed an agreement of intention to encourage private enterprises to voluntarily measure and report on all GHG emissions arising from business activities. This will contribute to the country developing an accurate GHG emission's inventory database for South Africa as a whole, in compliance with stipulations of the Kyoto Protocol. In terms of Clean Development Mechanism and Kyoto Protocol objectives the most important outcome of the conference was the launch by the Minister of Minerals and Energy of the Designated National Authority which will realize the potential of the Clean Development Mechanism and actively promote CDM projects in South Africa. Presentations from the Conferences can be downloaded from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism website, www.environment.gov.za . On the Sunday evening following the close of the climate change conference 50/50 aired a programme related to climate change. eThekwini Municipality 's CDM project which has be beleaguered by objections from local communities who are concerned with possible local impacts of having a methane gas to electricity project on the landfill. For more information on the programme highlights see the 50/50 website, http://www.5050.co.za/ ECOSERV developed a GHG emissions inventory for eThekwini in 2002 and updated it in 2004. To read this story click here. or more information on monitoring and measuring your company's GHG emission please contact Quentin Hurt on 086 123 0000.
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