South African government signs accord to ensure a greener future

With the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban just a week away, the government of the host country South Africa has signaled its intent to build and grow the country’s green economy with the signing of the Green Economy Accord.

The agreement, signed in Cape Town last week, was the result of lengthy discussions conducted under the New Growth Path, a government pledge to provide 5 million jobs over the next decade, between businesses, trade unions, community organisations and Cabinet members.

The signing ceremony was attended by ten of South Africa’s Cabinet Ministers, which included the Minister of Energy and the Minister’s of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, Finance and Agriculture. Also in attendance was a collective of representatives from small and large companies and all three of the country’s labour federations, who hold a combined membership of over 2 million workers.

The Green Economy Accord is part of an ambitious plan to shift the economy to a lower carbon-intensity whilst increasing jobs and industrial development, whilst promoting green skills at a technical level.

“This Accord shows that social partners are ready for COP17, the United Nations climate-change Conference due to be hosted by South Africa in ten days time. In the Accord, the parties agreed to work closely with government during and after the Conference to realise the success of the work and agenda of COP17,” said South Africa’s Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel.

“Business will demonstrate products and technologies that showcase South African efforts around climate change. Labour, business and community organisations will join government in communicating the message of partnership on the green economy in the Accord.”

With over 3 million households reliant on more traditional methods of energy, including light from candles and firewood for warmth and cooking, rural and poorer suburban neighborhoods have been subject to increasing environmental degradation. South Africa is also paying the price for its past reliance on coal-fuelled technologies, with the country emitting increasing levels of carbon into the atmosphere. These two factors have made mitigating greenhouse emissions and limiting climate changing practices high on the political agenda.

The Accord notes that if South Africa actively invests in the clean energy sector then a potential 300,000 jobs could be generated over the next ten years. A large share of this employment is expected to be provided through the recently legislated National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act. Under the new legislation, construction companies will now adhere to strict practices in the design and construction of new builds to create energy efficient, resource efficient and environmentally responsible structures. For new buildings to meet the standard it is anticipated that thousands of jobs will be created, with up to 1 million solar water heaters being installed by 2015. Further job opportunities are also expected to open as South Africa looks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by switching to biofuel alternatives.

“The green economy can create large numbers of jobs, provide a spur for industrialisation and help to create a sustainable future for this and the next generations. This Accord is one of a series of agreements in which social partners commit to work together to achieve the goals of the New Growth Path. South Africans are drawing together to achieve common national objectives,” added Patel. The South African government is also set to achieve its target of producing 3,700 MW (megawatts) of renewable energy that will be channeled into the nation’s electricity grid within the next five years.

 

Image 01: Menesis | Flickr

Image 02: Nithin bolar k | Wikimedia Commons

Image 03: Moralist | Wikimedia Commons

Image 04: Cachogaray | Wikimedia Commons