Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is in New York to preside over South Africa assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of January.

The UNSC presidency rotates monthly among its member states alphabetically, and the Council is organised in such a way that it is able to function continuously.

The International Relations Department says South Africa will use its presidency to explore concrete measures to strengthen the relationship between the UN and regional organisations, in particular the African Union, in the area of conflict prevention, management and resolution on the African continent.

"We will certainly take advantage of these important occasions to advance our international relations policy objectives, including supporting the African Agenda, South-South and North-South cooperation, with a view to promoting democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights," said President Zuma.

Zuma and President Tarja Halonen of Finland will co-chair the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's High-level Panel on Global Sustainability (GSP), which aims to formulate a new plan for achieving sustainable development and meeting the Millennium Development Goals and other development objectives. ?

Since its establishment, the panel has explored approaches to growth that would translate into effective socio-economic development and poverty reduction. - BuaNews

After months of preparation and a marathon two weeks of negotiations that ended in the early morning hours of 11 December 2011, the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference or COP17/CMP7 came to an end at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban. Parties have delivered a breakthrough on the future of the international community's response to climate change, whilst recognizing the urgent need to raise their collective level of ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to keep the average global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius. The Parties thanked the COP17/CMP7 President, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, for her leadership in guiding the conference to produce a positive outcome. Durban expectations There were two main tasks that the UN wanted the conference to accomplish. One related to building the institutions that would help support the developing countries response to climate change. The second pressing task for governments was to answer the question of how they would move forward together to achieve their agreed goal to limit the average global temperature rise to two degrees Celsius, and how to review progress towards that goal between 2013 and 2015. A decision on the future of the Kyoto Protocol was also a central part of the Durban outcomes. The Kyoto Protocol is the only legally binding treaty the world presently has to combat climate change, and it is important that governments safeguard what they had worked on so long to agree and develop, and what has proven effective. The process During the first week of the Conference negotiators worked on the technical aspect of the negotiations. The officials were joined by no fewer than 12 Heads of State and Government, as well as 130 ministers, during the High-Level Segment which started on 6 December 2011. At the opening of the COP17/CMP High-level Segment, President Jacob Zuma said: "We are agreed that this global challenge requires a global solution. However, different positions still prevail on some critical points. It is important that there is common ground on the elements that will remain critical in reaching any agreement. These are multilateralism, environmental integrity, common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities, equity, and honouring of all international commitments and undertakings made in the climate change process." The outcomes in Durban Speaking at 5:10am at the conclusion of the Conference, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane thanked all Parties for their dedication, hard work and for the spirit of Ubuntu and compromise that prevailed during the Conference. "I applaud you for what you have been able to accomplish here in Durban. You were prepared to show the required political will to move this process forward. It is without any doubt in my mind that we have 'worked together to save tomorrow, today!'". The Minister said the decisions that had been taken were "truly historical". Decisions reached at COP17/CMP7 Governments decided to adopt a universal legal agreement on climate change as soon as possible, but not later than 2015. Work will begin on this immediately under a new group called the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. Governments, including 35 industrialised countries, agreed to a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol from 01 January 2013. To achieve rapid clarity, Parties to this second period will turn their economy-wide targets into quantified emission limitation or reduction objectives and submit them for review by 01 May 2012. This is highly significant because the Kyoto Protocol's accounting rules, mechanisms and markets all remain in action as effective tools to leverage global climate action and as models to inform future agreements. A significantly advanced framework for the reporting of emission reductions for both developed and developing countries was also agreed, taking into consideration the common but differentiated responsibilities of different countries. In addition to charting the way forward on reducing greenhouse gases in the global context, governments agreed to the full implementation of the package to support developing nations, agreed last year in Cancun, Mexico (COP16/CMP6). This means that urgent support for the developing world, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable to adapt to climate change, will also be launched on time. The package includes the Green Climate Fund, an Adaptation Committee designed to improve the coordination of adaptation actions on a global scale, and a Technology Mechanism, which are to become fully operational in 2012. Whilst pledging to make progress in a number of areas, governments acknowledged the urgent concern that the current sum of pledges to cut emissions both from developed and developing countries was not high enough to keep the global average temperature rise below two degrees Celsius. They therefore decided that the UN Climate Change process shall increase ambition to act and will be led by the climate science in the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report and the global Review from 2013-2015. Key decisions: Green Climate Fund • Countries have already started to pledge to contribute to start-up costs of the fund, meaning it can be made ready in 2012, and at the same time can help developing countries get ready to access the fund, boosting their efforts to establish their own clean energy futures and adapt to existing climate change. • A Standing Committee is to keep an overview of climate finance in the context of the UNFCCC and to assist the Conference of the Parties. It will comprise 20 members, represented equally between the developed and developing world. • A focussed work programme on long-term finance was agreed, which will contribute to the scaling up of climate change finance going forward and will analyse options for the mobilisation of resources from a variety of sources.

Adaptation

• The Adaptation Committee, composed of 16 members, will report to the COP on its efforts to improve the coordination of adaptation actions at a global scale. • The adaptive capacities above all of the poorest and most vulnerable countries are to be strengthened. National Adaptation Plans will allow developing countries to assess and reduce their vulnerability to climate change.

• The most vulnerable are to receive better protection against loss and damage caused by extreme weather events related to climate change.

Technology

• The Technology Mechanism will become fully operational in 2012. • The full terms of reference for the operational arm of the Mechanism - the Climate Technology Centre and Network - are agreed, along with a clear procedure to select the host. The UNFCCC secretariat will issue a call for proposals for hosts on 16 January 2012. Support of developing country action • Governments agreed a registry to record developing country mitigation actions that seek financial support and to match these with support. The registry will be a flexible, dynamic, web-based platform. Other key decisions • A forum and work programme on unintended consequences of climate change actions and policies were established. • Under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism, governments adopted procedures to allow carbon-capture and storage projects. These guidelines will be reviewed every five years to ensure environmental integrity.

• Governments agreed to develop a new market-based mechanism to assist developed countries in meeting part of their targets or commitments under the Convention. Details of this will be taken forward in 2012. ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF COP17/CMP7

We appreciate this opportunity to meet with the business sector during this 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17) serving as the seventh meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol.

The theme of COP 17, Working Together: Saving Tomorrow Today, reminds us that it is not only governments that have a responsibility to build a sustainable future. The business sector has a key role to play too, alongside other key sectors of society.

Your interest in these climate change talks as business indicates your understanding that climate change is more than just an environmental issue. It is about the continued existence of the human species in harmony with its environment in a sustainable manner.

Climate change is already having a serious impact on Africa and many parts of the world.

Changing weather patterns are affecting the environment, health, natural resources, shelter, infrastructure such as roads, bridges or dams, and even food production.

The negotiations are a party-driven process. South Africa, as COP President represented by our Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, is playing an enabling role for parties to find agreement on the salient issues of climate change.

As South Africa, we seek a global regime that ensures that climate change does not reach dangerous levels, while recognising that the priority for developing countries is to address poverty and socio-economic development.

The talks have to produce a multilateral climate change regime that is fair, credible, balanced, inclusive and effective.

Thus far, talks are going well. Parties still differ on a number of issues. We think this is normal especially during the first week of the conference, ahead of the start of the high level segment next week.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The climate change talks are taking place against the background of yet another economic crisis in the developed world, which is likely to impact on most parts of the globe.

The situation in some parts of Europe is serious and the rest of the globe will feel the impact, more so the developing world.

The economic crisis occurs during a period when the world is already facing rising food and fuel prices, extreme and unusual weather conditions due to climate change, energy insecurity, poverty, youth unemployment, and continued economic volatility.

The situation calls for us to find economic solutions that attend to the needs of our planet.

New sources of growth and innovation, and new technologies and models for driving investment are urgently needed to deliver long-term prosperity in a stable, sustainable and inclusive way.

It is in this context that we promote a green economy and green growth.

A Green Economy is one in which business processes are configured or reconfigured to deliver better returns on natural, human and economic capital investments, while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions, extracting and using fewer natural resources, creating less waste and reducing social disparities.

Thus, a Green Economy grows by reducing rather than increasing resource consumption.

We have committed ourselves to our people as a government to work towards an inclusive, green, and sustainable growth.

The inclusive nature of the growth is a key focus in our country as we come from a history of political and economic exclusion of the majority of the population during the pre-1994 period of apartheid and colonial oppression.

New ways of doing things, like promoting sustainable development and green growth provide an opportunity for South Africa to expand its push towards an inclusive growth and an economy that includes and caters for the needs of all of our people.

Meaningful economic transformation is therefore an integral part of our quest for a sustainable economy that responds to the impact of climate change.

We emphasise this because developing green economies is not just about eco-efficiency but also about equity.

Experience shows that growth does not in itself necessarily overcome exclusion and marginalization.

For as long as people lack adequate education and healthcare, infrastructure, access to land, capital, finance and market institutions, they simply cannot take advantage of growth, green or not.

They are trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty. Instead of broad development, the benefits of growth end up captured by a relatively small number of people.

The inclusive and sustainable growth that we seek has a number of dimensions.

We define it as growth that ensures adequate incomes to workers to address the needs of their families. This puts decent work at the centre of our efforts to build a more inclusive green economy.

We refer to growth that promotes rural development and connects the rural population to the mainstream economy.

We refer to growth that promotes strong local economic empowerment, so that our people see tangible benefits in the expansion of goods and services. In the case of South Africa, it means ensuring the economic empowerment of the black majority.

We refer to growth that addresses gender inequalities, so that women can find real opportunities in the economy.

Inclusive and sustainable growth also refers to growth that draws in young people so that we do not have a young generation without hope and opportunity.

It also refers to growth that is combined with respect for basic rights, such as health, safety and trade union rights in the workplace.

Sustainable green growth must also include improved access to quality education and skills. It must also bridge the digital divide so that the children of the poor can also gain access to the information and communication technology skills that are so crucial in the modern economy.

We are addressing the need for balanced, green and inclusive growth through our government's New Growth Path framework which places employment at the centre of our efforts.

For the African continent, this opportunity of driving green and inclusive growth requires that we leapfrog from being just a producer of raw materials. Africa has to build dynamic and competitive manufacturing sectors that do not just export raw materials but which process the minerals and agricultural products into consumer goods.

Today we invite you to partner with South Africa and Africa on the road towards inclusive, shared, sustainable and greener growth.

The South African Government is already implementing strategies towards cleaner technology and transition towards a low carbon future, guided by our recently adopted National Climate Change Response Policy.

Having said this, we are very mindful of the fact that South Africa finds itself in a situation in which it is both a high emitter of greenhouse gases, as well as a country extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

We are the largest producer of electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa, generating 90% of our electricity from coal.

As a responsible global citizen, we remain fully committed to contribute our fair share to the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

However, given our developmental challenges, we will continue the use of fossil fuels in the short to medium term while transitioning to a low-carbon economy, over the long term.

It was with that visionary approach in mind that on the eve of the Climate Change Summit held in Copenhagen, we announced our commitment to reduce our carbon emissions by 34% by 2020 and by 42% by 2025.

This was to be done in the context of a comprehensive, fair and effective legal binding multilateral agreement that delivers financial and technology support for our action.

However we are not waiting for an agreement in Durban before achieving green, sustainable and inclusive growth.

We are forging ahead with our programme of greening the economy to improve the economic, social and environmental resilience of the country in the face of climate change.

Africa and many developing countries boast most exciting opportunities for green growth, by virtue of their largely abundant natural resources.

There are many initiatives that we can pursue together to protect the future, while not destroying industries and jobs.

With the development of wind, solar and other renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency and even electric vehicles, we are now witnessing the growth of new green industries.

There are vast opportunities for investments in the fields of renewable energy, marine aquaculture development, wildlife management, waste services as well as ecosystem rehabilitation programmes to name just a few.

We are promoting investments in all these sectors.

We have an ambitious renewable energy plan. We will soon announce the results of the bidding process for the first 3.725 megawatts of green energy to be procured under our Renewable Energy Flagship Programme over the next few years.

Over the next twenty years we plan to scale this up to at least 18 Gigawatts, to account for 42% of new capacity being commissioned.

Last month, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed an Agreement for the construction of the Grand Inga Dam that will provide electricity to more than half of Africa's population.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we noted, the biggest barriers to developing renewable energy in Africa to date are not technological, but financial.

In that regard, South Africa has been hard at work in the development and design of financial instruments aligned to our national plans for green growth. During the course of COP 17 we will be launching a key initiative that could kick-start major development for renewable energy generation and industrial development.

The South African Renewable Initiative (SARi) funding mechanism will help us unlock South Africa's green growth potential through the funding of large-scale renewable developments. This will be achieved with the assistance of global partners - donors and Governments, who will provide innovative funding solutions to facilitate it.

Renewable energy still costs more than non-renewable energy, which in South Africa is largely supplied by cheap, abundant coal supplies. It is estimated that the renewables' targets indicated in our Integrated Resource Plan 2010 would add an average incremental cost of around 660 million US dollars to South Africa's annual electricity bill up to the year 2044. The SARi model will enable us to deal with the high cost through low cost loans and other financial instruments combined with time limited pay-for-performance grants. Ladies and gentlemen,

In promoting this new green, sustainable and inclusive growth focus, we are putting together some policy proposals that will impact on the business sector. These may include putting a price on carbon and other pollution or on the over-exploitation of a scarce resource through mechanisms such as taxes, natural resource charges or tradable permit systems. We would also have enablers or incentives such as recognition for eco-labeling systems. These are some of the issues we will continue discussing with business in our social dialogue forums. Already we have an innovative Green Economy Accord that we signed with business and labour, indicating the seriousness with which we all regard the need to move towards a green economy. Ladies and gentlemen, It is vitally important for nations to come to an agreement at COP17 to ensure that emerging nations are not burdened by penalties that make them uncompetitive.

We thank you for supporting the COP 17/CMP7 process.

Let me reiterate that we see in the threat of climate change, an opportunity to develop our green, inclusive, sustainable and shared growth.

This would be growth that provides jobs and which improves infrastructure, health, education and all basic services that our communities need to have an improved quality of life. We also see in the response to the threat of climate change, an opportunity for meaningful economic transformation that will create an inclusive economy to contribute to the building of a better life for all.

We will be partnering with the business community as we move forward to this new trajectory.

I thank you. Issued by: The Presidency

Ladies and Gentlemen of the media,

Welcome to the official opening press conference for COP17/CMP7. I trust that this briefing will provide valuable information on the Conference and the expectations thereof.

We are under no illusion that this Conference will be an easy process. However, we are optimistic that it will be the place where the international climate change negotiators will arrive at some agreement on the pressing issues that need to some resolution within the next two weeks. As we have mentioned before, Durban is the end of the line for many pressing issues, like the second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol, as well as those outstanding issues of the Bali Action Plan and the Cancun Agreements that require operationalisation. The trust that was rekindled in Cancun is still fragile, and this Conference is the ideal opportunity for Parties to strengthen this trust. Within the Party-driven process and the procedures of the UNFCCC, we intend to ensure that this Conference is balanced, fair and credible and that it preserves and strengthens the multilateral rules-based response to climate change. In this regard, the approach to reach a balanced, fair and credible outcome must be directed by the principles that form the basis of UNFCCC climate change negotiations. These principles include multilateralism, environmental integrity, fairness (common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities, equity) and honouring of all international commitments and undertakings made in the climate change process. This brings me to the major impression that I have formed over the past year, during the formal and informal discussions, which is that the Durban Conference needs to be the place where the international climate change family faces its own demons and heals the wounds of mistrust and misunderstandings. At this point I wish to share with you my assessment of what we need to do to create the environment from where Parties would be able to work together. Here in Durban, we need to show the world that we are ready to tackle and solve our very real problems in a practical manner. It has been suggested that we approach Durban in a problem-solving mode and find ways to provide the required re-assurances to one another. Durban will be a decisive moment for the future of the multilateral rules-based regime which has evolved over many years under the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol. The first Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol is about to come to an end.

In the negotiations, the fate of a second Commitment Period is made dependent on the decision on the legal nature of the outcome of the negotiations under the Convention, as it is a question that has been left unanswered from Bali. It is also clear that if this question is not resolved, the outcome on other matters in the negotiations will become extremely difficult. A solution must therefore be found.

The multilateral rules-based system must prevail for the world to effectively address the global problem of climate change. The system must also give the required re-assurances that our response to climate change cannot depend on the domestic measures alone, as there will then be no assurances that all Parties will do what needs to be done. Re-assurances are required that all Parties will work in a manner that will not jeopardise the gains made over the past decades; that adequate and sustainable long-term funding will be delivered, that implementation of all agreements will continue without an implementation gap occurring and finally the re-assurance that there is a shared vision that all Parties need to do more and do so urgently.

In addition, it is important that the Cancun Agreements must be operationalised, including the establishment of the key mechanisms and institutional arrangements agreed to in Cancun last year. Adaptation is an essential element for any outcome as it is a key priority for many developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Africa. The current fragmented approach to adaptation must be addressed in a more coherent manner and there should be equal priority given to adaptation and mitigation. It is important that any process has to be adequate enough to adhere to the principle of environmental integrity. It is in this respect that the low level of ambition continues to remain a serious concern. The Green Climate Fund represents a center piece of a broader set of outcomes for Durban, especially since the developing countries clearly demand a prompt start for funding as it would unlock many other pressing issues and would allow them to reach their objectives in this regard. The climate change negotiation process is still recovering from the serious setbacks it has suffered over the years and a trust deficit needs to be overcome. Therefore, in Durban, Parties from across the spectrum are asking from each other specific re-assurances that would enable all to move forward: Developing countries want to be re-assured that developed countries will honor their emission reduction obligations, as well as to provide the necessary means of implementation that would assist them to also do their part. Developed countries want to be re-assured that all of them would take up their fair share of actions and not walk away from commitments, while they also wish to be assured that bigger developing countries, who are also major emitters, would indeed also take up the responsibility to reduce emissions for the greater good of all. Durban needs to be the place where these re-assurances are provided to each other and from where the fragile trust building process amongst all Parties can continue. We need to show the world that Parties are ready to address the problems in a practical manner. My approach will be to focus on solving problems and, therefore, I will need the assistance of all Parties to work together to find solutions for the problems caused by climate change. The issue therefore at stake is what we will do now or immediately and what we need to do in the future. I am confident that all Parties will make a special effort and show the required leadership to creatively provide these assurances that can lead to consensus on all the outstanding issues. It is only by Working Together that we will be able to Save Tomorrow Today.

 

Honourable Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Hon Zweli Mkhize Mayor of Ethekwini Metro, Hon Nxumalo Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa Representatives of Civil Society and Community organisations Business Leaders Ladies and gentlemen Your Excellencies Distinguished guests Fellow South Africans

Tomorrow, across the road at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre delegates from all corners of our globe will gather for the 17th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 17) and the 7th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP7).

Equally, we are about to run the last lap in what has been a year of great uncertainty and skeptism not only about the subject of our gathering here today, but broadly in our economic and political lives, as a people and as a species

We have felt our global economies shake and we have seen governments change and get changed. We also have helplessly watched as the most devastating environmental disasters destroyed infrastructure, displaced communities and threatened livelihoods.

The world has been watching and waiting, hoping but confident, that Durban will deliver, a new global deal and multilateral compact to address the impacts and causes of climate change.

We have just heard children share memories of their future – and awoken us to the reality of the world they will inherit as a result of our actions. As global leaders begin the business of Conference and tomorrow, we must call upon them to give our children a future of certainty.

The children have spoken to us, representing voices of the future, and said all we need is the will to act boldly to address the challenges posed by climate change.

Honourable Premier, your province and this venue is no stranger to international events, so I am not surprised that today you break new ground and together with the City host the first ever Exhibition of its kind certainly setting a global trend.

This Expo is indeed a great showcase of what the human race can do, has done and should do, to fade the deeper scars caused on Mother Earth

This exhibition should be our Ubuntu village, a space for people and for everyone to demonstrate their ingenuity and determination to fight climate change – to show their care and demonstrate their conscience towards our air, sea and landscapes that feed us and protect us from our self-made perils

True to our "Alive with possibilities" spirit and the commitment to Play our Part , the people of South Africa see the threat of climate change as an opportunity to act now, work together and save tomorrow, today.

We see an opportunity for everyone to share and showcase their small actions with big impacts – This Expo is simply a blossoming of how such an opportunity can make climate change action, a business of our business.

The exhibition is a masterpiece through which we want the world to see our determination and share the work being done across the country in addressing the threat of climate change.

We must for the next two weeks make this a hive of activity to bring people, technology and nature together to showcase the type of innovation that will enable South Africa, Africa and the world to address social development and job creation in a low carbon economy.

While engineering solutions have provided us with great improvements in development and human well-being, they alone are unlikely to help us deal with climate change. Healthy intact ecosystems dependent on our rich biodiversity provide society with food, water, grazing and biomass – an important source of energy and building material.

This Expo will inspire and stimulate change and innovation which underline a coherent and effective climate change response for South Africa and beyond.

As we host the momentous climate change talks, this Expo is the main public space to learn, network and for the negotiators to reconnect with society through entertainment, performance, music, poetry and art amongst others.

May I once again congratulate all of you who have not only chosen to showcase your work here, but continue to make it your daily occupation to design, finance, and research new methods and solutions to the challenge of climate change.

I also wish to applaud, the various state departments, parastatals, emerging entrepreneurs, development agencies, the private sector who have not only exhibited here, but equally, have begun to reshape their way of delivering services, in a manner that proves that we need "Climate Action Now".

I invite you to take a walk at this Climate Change Response Expo and be inspired by human innovation and climate smart solutions and ideas for our changing world.

I thank you.

Issued by: The Presidency 27 Nov 2011

 

Pretoria - In a move geared towards reducing the country's carbon footprint, South Africa will launch an ambitious project aimed at boosting the green economy during COP 17.

The South African Renewables Initiative (SARi), which will be unveiled at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is a programme the country will use to catalyse the growth of a green industry through the financing of large-scale renewable generation capacity.

"SARi presents a key element in ensuring that South Africa meets the emissions targets set by President Jacob Zuma who, at COP 15 in Copenhagen in 2009, committed South Africa to reducing its emissions trajectory to 34% below business as usual by 2020, and to 42% by 2025," said Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies.

SARi is an integral part of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) and it will help to develop capacity in related industries by designing a financial solution that will result in the roll-out of large-scale renewable generation capacity.

The launch of SARi will be accompanied by the announcement of partnerships between the South African government and international governments and Development Finance Institutions that will work together to explore possibilities for further developing the renewables industry.

Davies said an initial design for a financing mechanism has been developed, which combines low-cost loans, insurance and other financial instruments with climate funding on a pay-for-performance basis.

"Success in the large-scale development of renewables could realise direct economic benefits of up to 40 000 jobs, contribute up to 15% of South Africa's Copenhagen Commitment and decarbonise exports by up to 30% in increasingly carbon sensitive international markets," added Davies.

SA is looking to use its international partnerships next year to help the country secure funding to enable an ambitious scale up of renewables. - BuaNews