Green economy talks in South Africa focus on low-carbon solutions
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South Africa's transition to a low-carbon economy and the potential for job creation will be a key focus of the three-day Green Economy Summit that opened on Tuesday in Sandton, northern Johannesburg.
South African President Jacob Zuma delivered the keynote address, while six South African ministers are to explain how their departments will contribute to the plans for a green economy.
South African economic development Minister Ebrahim Patel, trade and industry minister Rob Davies, public works minister Geoff Doidge, science and technology minister Naledi Pandor, mineral resources Minister Susan Shabangu, and water and environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica are scheduled to speak.
According to Business Day newspaper in Johannesburg, the line- up underlines the seriousness with which low-carbon economy is viewed in the South African cabinet.
Last year the South African presidency announced that South Africa would slow its growth in greenhouse gas emissions by 34 percent by 2020, compared with a business- as-usual trajectory, and by 42 percent by 2025.
However, this offer was conditional on reaching a fair, ambitious and global deal on climate change at an international level, and also on South Africa receiving financial and technical assistance.
Business Day said on Tuesday it is still not clear, almost six months later, how South Africa intends to carry this out.
The newspaper said the Green Economy Summit may offer some clarification as to how a green economy should be defined and what aspects should be given priority for South Africa.
It predicted that job creation, financing, environmental goods and services, and sustainable development are all on the agenda and likely to receive attention when the National Greening Program is launched on Wednesday night.
