WESTERN CAPE CLIMATE SUMMIT

Keynote address by Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, at the Western Cape Climate Change Summit, Cape Town International Convention Centre, Friday 8 June 2007

WESTERN CAPE CLIMATE SUMMIT

Western Cape Premier, Ebrahim Rasool
MEC for Environment, Planning and Economic Development, Tasneem Essop
Honored guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Introduction

I would like to commend the Western Cape Province for hosting this Climate Summit. As we continue to improve our understanding of the impacts and risks of climate change, we increasingly understand that we must also find local solutions to deal with this global challenge.

Building on the progress achieved at this Summit, the next challenge is for the Province to take this Summit to every local municipality and local community, where I am sure you will find many willing partners to work with you in moving from planning to implementation.

In Government, industry and households, we take decisions every day that could lock South Africas next generation into accelerated climate change, increased emissions, inefficient energy use, and wasteful patterns of production. We just have to think of the lifespan of decisions that all we make every day. Every vehicle purchased has a likely lifespan of at least ten years; factories and industrial developments will be there for at least thirty years; power stations and energy facilities last for fifty years or more; homes and offices have a lifespan of at least one hundred years; and decisions about land-use and development patterns last even longer than that.

These are the kinds of decisions that we need to consider carefully if we want to place the country on a more sustainable, climate-friendly growth path.

Adaptation
But we must also ask how we deal with the risks and threats to existing infrastructure and current economic and development activities. In particular, we must find innovative ways of adapting to the inevitable impacts of climate change.
I am therefore confident that this Summit will lead to an action plan that will assist with our joint efforts to integrate adaptation policies and measures with our national, provincial and local sustainable development strategies.

In this province, interventions in key policy areas are required particularly in the agricultural sector for example by developing more drought and flood resistant crops and considering crop switching strategies, and in water resource management. It will also be critically important to find ways of communicating information about climate scenarios and adaptation options to subsistence farmers and rural communities. Other urgent tasks include improving early warning systems and the capacity for disaster management, risk screening of major infrastructure investment projects, in particular in coastal areas, and the strengthening of physical defenses against flooding.

International climate regime and national implementation

In considering a more effective, flexible and fair international climate regime beyond 2012 we understand that we all have to do much more. And though developed countries have an obligation to take the lead by adopting more ambitious emission reductions under the Kyoto Protocol, as developing countries we understand that we also have to do more to act on our responsibilities. The South African Government understands the urgency of action, and that the costs of doing nothing about climate change far outweigh those of taking concrete measures.

Our roadmap for a national climate policy recognises that the solution to the critical challenges we face should be addressed through integrated government planning, in collaboration with stakeholders through the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) and a strengthened multilateral regime.

To this end, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change led by DEAT initiated the Long Term Mitigation Scenario (LTMS) process. This process will outline the range of ambitious but realistic scenarios of future climate action, notably long-term emissions scenarios and their cost implications. In addition, various national departments, provinces and cities are refining their sector plans in line with the National Climate Change Response Strategy. Working closely with industry, DEAT will also be finalising our updated Greenhouse Gas Inventory. All this will inform our first ever Long Term National Climate Policy. We plan to publish this during 2008/9.

On the mitigation side, DEAT will also initiate a process that will, over the next few years, match our efforts on the mitigation scenario building process. This will culminate in a National Adaptation Plan.

The carbon market challenge

In terms of reducing harmful emissions, you yesterday had extensive discussions on taking the first steps towards decarbonising the energy sector in the Province. Given that the energy sector is the single largest source of emissions in South Africa, the governments current interventions are aimed at more efficient energy use, diversifying energy sources, and research and development aimed at new technologies that promote cleaner and advanced energy production and consumption.

Though the Western Cape is likely to feel the most acute impacts of climate change, it also has the luxury of abundant potential for renewable energy sources.

I would like to refer to one specific opportunity that we are yet to fully exploit. That is the Kyoto Protocols so-called Clean Development Mechanism which makes it possible to trade our emission reductions on international carbon markets, for example, through energy efficiency improvements in industry, methane recovery from landfill sites, or switching to renewable energy sources. The CDM is the market mechanism designed to assist developing countries to stimulate the green investment required to tackle climate change and move to a low-carbon economy. The CDM, even with its current limitations, provides an effective vehicle for developing countries to participate in ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions, to achieve technological progress and to promote sustainable development.

There is a huge carbon market developing, and because of various barriers we are yet to take full advantage of this opportunity. In 2006 the value of this market was in the range of US$30 billion, which represented a threefold increase compared to 2005. Project-based activities through the Clean Development Mechanism totaled nearly US$5 billion in 2006, and the voluntary market for reductions by corporations and individuals also grew strongly to an estimated US$100 million.

However, Africa is hardly on the radar screen. Asia continues to dominate the CDM market. China supplied some 61% of the emission reductions purchased by industrialized countries since 2002. The share of the whole of Africa is around 3%, with nearly half of that from South Africa. In terms of current projects in the CDM Executive Board's pipeline, India leads with some 600 projects, followed by China with 400 and Brazil with 200. South Africa has 9 registered projects, with another 39 in the CDM Executive Board's and South Africa's Designated National Authority's pipelines. For the Western Cape, only one project the Kuyasa Low Cost Housing Energy Efficiency Project, has been registered as a CDM project, and there are a few in the pipeline or conception stages.

Chair, there is a rapidly closing window for first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. Negotiations on the second commitment period have started. There are also alternative sources of demand such as the voluntary market that may have the flexibility to reward these efforts, and in particular small scale projects, regardless of the future negotiations on a Kyoto regime after 2012.

In the Kyoto regime beyond 2012 this potential may grow by orders of magnitude. If all developed countries took on much deeper emissions reduction targets, peaking by 2050 with cuts of 60 to 80%, which is what we believe is required, and if they purchased half of their reductions in the developing world at a carbon price of at least $10 per ton, then the financial flows could gradually grow to approximately $100 billion per year by mid-century.

We must start now to position ourselves for this new low carbon economy. We must raise awareness from both public and private stakeholders. We must identify and remove the barriers, develop institutional capacities and technical expertise and source projects to exploit this huge opportunity. I would like to challenge the Province to work with industry, local and international investors and especially local governments to unlock this potential and spur climate-friendly growth and sustainable development, before 2012, and beyond.
If the Western Cape, or a local municipality, could capture even a relatively small share of these financial flows it could provide a major boost, in combination with other sources of funding, to efforts aimed at bridging the gap between high- and low-carbon development. It could soon make all the difference when you have to choose between fossil-fuel energy and more expensive renewable energy sources. Assuming further technological progress and related cost reductions, it could make an important contribution towards unlocking our boundless solar power potential in this country.
Water resources

Chair, over the longer term, climate change will exacerbate environmental degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss and resource scarcity. These are all sources of potential instability and conflict.

Africa is at risk from increasing water stress, especially in southern Africa. By 2020, between 75 million and 250 million people are likely to experience water shortages as a result of climate change. In combination with increased demand, this will adversely affect livelihoods, freshwater fish resources and agricultural production. In some countries, yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50% by 2020.

A key challenge and opportunity in Africa is to use trans-boundary water resource management to reduce conflict potential, to enhance peace-making by opening new avenues for dialogue, and to promote regional integration.

Consider, for example, the fact that almost 40% of Africas international borders are demarcated by river channels and basin watersheds, and that most major rivers traverse national boundaries. These resources are sensitive to even moderate reductions in rainfall as are predicted to occur in many places across Africa. Not only will increased scarcity of water resources threaten the sustainability of hydro-electric power generation, irrigation, agricultural production, fish stocks, food security, transport and industry, but it could also contribute to an increase in inter-communal and inter-state migrations and tensions.

Lake Tanganyika provides up to 40% of animal protein intake for the population of the surrounding countries. It is expected that climate change will reduce catches in the Lake by around 30%. Lake Victoria, which joins Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, supports a common economy for some 30 million people who depend on its water and fish. Lowering water levels in the Lake have previously led to tensions with Uganda, who draws water into the Nile through hydro-electric turbines. This also concerns Egypt downstream, who has even placed inspectors along Ugandas stretch of the Nile.

This underlying conflict potential is exacerbated by post-colonial arrangements which are generally not conducive to mitigating conflict or competition over water resources. For example: following the declaration of the Egyptian Republic in 1953, the 1959 Nile Basin agreement preserved British colonial interests in Sudan. The agreement neglected the role of Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda in the governance of the transboundary Nile resources. Today Egypt and Sudan still dominate decision-making over the allocation of Nile water resources, with the bulk of the Niles flow going to these two countries.

To understand the complexity of mitigating future conflict between riparian States, we only have to think about Jordan system, shared by Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan, the Tigres-Euphrates system, shared by Syria, Turkey and Iraq, and the Indus Ganges-Brahmaputra systems, shared by India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.

Though climate impacts on water resources may not be the primary or sole source of future conflict, it could ignite or exacerbate conflict where other political, ethnic or military tensions exist. It is therefore critical to design and strengthen regional water regimes to manage the challenges around increased water scarcity, and more specifically to appropriately govern international rivers, watersheds and underground water resources.

Fortunately the need to address water policy challenges associated with climate change is high on the agenda of SADC Ministers and the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW). These bodies play a key role in facilitating regional and international cooperation and in coordinating trans-boundary water policies. This includes river and water basin governance, co-management of resources, adaptation strategies, strategic water infrastructure support, water security and the maintenance of African eco-systems. Two weeks ago climate change was one of the prominent issues addressed by African Water Ministers meeting in Brazzaville, and various approaches to enhancing African countries resilience and adaptability to the impacts of climate change were considered. The SADC Protocol, a legally binding framework for the management of shared waters in the region, the SADC Water Policy and the SADC Water Strategy, as well as the establishment of 7 river basin organizations in SADC, together represents a feather in the cap of our region.

Conclusion

Chair, I would like to conclude by stressing that we should be flexible and pro-active in our planning and continuously integrate the latest scientific findings and practical experience with our long term strategic frameworks. We must learn to expect the unexpected, and continuously ask ourselves how new evidence of climate change will impact our daily lives and how each of us can contribute to reducing emissions. Globally, in South Africa and in every community we must all do more and act with a greater sense of urgency.

INQUIRIES: RIAAN AUCAMP 083 778 9923

Speech by Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, at the National Council of Provinces Debate on the Budget Vote of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism,

07 June 2007

Speech

Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

INTRODUCTION

Chairperson, it is a pleasure for me to be presenting the 2007/8 budget vote for Environmental Affairs and Tourism in the National Council of Provinces today. 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the Brundtland Report, entitled “Our Common Future”, which was released by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development, and which redefined the notion of sustainable development. Enshrined in this notion are three equally important pillars of sustainable development: environmental protection, economic development and social development. These three elements are balanced and work in synergy to eradicate poverty and foster social and economic development - goals that are perfectly aligned with our own Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative (ASGISA).

BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION

Chairperson, the results of the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment (NSBA) - the first-ever comprehensive spatial evaluation of biodiversity throughout the country is a warning to us all. 34% of our terrestrial ecosystems are threatened with 5% critically endangered; 82% of our 120 rivers are threatened with 44% critically endangered; three of our thirteen groups of estuarine biodiversity are in critical danger; with 12% of marine bio-zones under serious threat. This report places us for the first time in a sound scientific position to identify which areas of the country need the most urgent attention and protection.

This assessment also informs our expansion and consolidation of protected areas. Last year I announced that we would be focusing on expanding and consolidating our national parks. We have made considerable progress towards this goal. A graphic information system (GIS) exercise between DEAT and South African National Parks (SANParks) revealed that 32 000 hectares of outstanding land parcels needed to be incorporated into our parks. In the past year we have spent just over R48 million of DEAT, SANParks and donor funds to acquire more than 24 000 hectares of land for the Namaqua, Tankwa-Karoo, Addo Elephant, West Coast, Mapungubwe, Camdeboo and Bontebok National Parks. On the whole, negotiations for the purchase of the remaining land parcels are progressing well and we are grateful for co-operation from National Treasury, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and the Department of Public Works in this regard.

Our partnerships with other government initiatives and civil society organisations in implementing SRPP projects are critical, and amplify the social development impact of projects. Social responsibility and poverty relief programmes run by our department in all nine provinces have created 13 887 job opportunities in the past year, well exceeding the target of 12 500. We also exceeded our permanent job creation target by almost 15%. Though we did not achieve our target for training days, our plans for 2007/8 take into account the previous year’s shortcomings. We have, therefore, increased our targets for all measures, and we fully expect to achieve them.

LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Chairperson, DEAT will continue to strengthen its regulatory muscle through the development of legislation. A key bill that will be tabled in parliament this year will be the Waste Bill. It is estimated that 45% of South Africans, mainly living in informal settlements and rural areas do not have access to domestic waste collection services. In addition the country has 1321 landfill sites, of which 629 are unauthorized, many of which must be formally closed. Included in these are 58 hazardous landfill sites which are not permitted. This situation clearly has a significant negative effect on human health and the environment.

Furthermore preliminary results from a study currently in process indicate that in many municipalities around the country, there are serious problems with the waste management system, including a lack of finance, operational equipment and capacity.

Within the Municipal Infrastructure Grant System, waste has an allocation of 5% in a category termed “other” that also includes street lights and other smaller infrastructure. Clearly this is not adequate to address the challenges we face as a country.

DEAT is at present doing work to assess the waste service delivery system across the country and to develop an approach to managing it, including recommendations on financing, capacity and management issues.

Government bodies, business, civil society and communities in South Africa remain committed to working together in ensuring compliance with our environmental laws. There are currently 816 Environmental Management Inspectors, the so-called “Green Scorpions”, on the EMI register. 46 in KwaZulu-Natal, 10 in Mpumalanga, 18 in Gauteng, 17 each in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, 14 in the Northern Cape, 11 in Free State, 8 in North West and 6 in the Western Cape, with the remaining 669 in South African National Parks, the Isimangaliso Wetland Park and the national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

The Department’s partnership with the Justice College has also resulted in awareness-raising workshops attended by more than 200 prosecutors and magistrates to date.

In 2006/7, more than 898 people were arrested and more than 134 convicted in court for environmental crimes. More than R1.5 million was paid in admission of guilt fines, with many other criminal cases pending. EMIs issued 235 notices instructing companies to comply with permits and undertake rehabilitation, and several civil court applications were launched to enforce notices.

For the first time, and in collaboration with provinces and municipalities, EMIs have started proactive, comprehensive compliance inspections at some of the most polluting facilities and industry sectors in the country.

TOURISM EMPOWERMENT

Our sense of pride in our nation will undoubtedly increase even further as we progress towards meeting our ASGISA targets of reducing poverty and boosting economic growth. Integral to this process are measures to assess how well we are doing at bringing previously disadvantaged South Africans from the margins to the mainstream of our economy.

In order to fulfil the revenue, seasonality, distribution, length of stay and transformation requirements of the South African tourism industry, DEAT is funding the Open Africa Route initiative. The development of these routes will focus on the packaging of second economy products into tourism experiences. 23 existing routes are being revised to include second economy operators, and 3 new routes are being developed. On average each route will assist 30 Second Economy operators.

Rest assured, Chairperson, that we are providing a comprehensive range of support measures to ensure that second economy operators are well equipped to meet the high expectations of both local and international travellers. 2 025 SMMEs will be trained on Tourism Awareness and 810 will be trained through Business Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing and Financial Management courses. 2 500 SMME rooms will be graded by 2009.

The tourism industry has, for several successive years, justified its designation as one of ASGISA’s top priority sectors. 2006 was no exception to this, with the tourism sector’s total GDP contribution estimated at 8.3%.

A challenge that has been identified is that of brand alignment - ensuring that the national tourism brand of South Africa has a consistent look and feel with the brands of our provinces.

I am very encouraged by our progress towards resolving the specific challenges related to the upcoming 2010 Soccer World Cup. A national 2010 accommodation workshop was held in October last year, followed by 17 workshops in the provinces. These workshops have resulted in the official accommodation and ticketing company MATCH, signing contracts to secure 23 000 rooms for the tournament. These include for the first time in FIFA history, non-hotel accommodation such as National Parks facilities, guest houses and lodges.

DEAT is committed to ensuring that smaller companies remain an integral part of the 2010 planning process. I am certain that our second round of workshops, planned for June will lead to more accommodation contracts being signed, and will finally silence those who have doubts about our country’s capacity to host the tournament.

The development of the web-based booking system will further assist SMMEs to access opportunities. The SA Tourism Call Centre is now open 24 hours a day, providing information in several languages. SA Tourism has also established a 2010 Tourism Unit. Furthermore, at a provincial level, funds have been secured for the establishment of tourism information centres in host cities other than Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg who already have structures in place.

Conclusion

Colleagues, these are just a few highlights of the many achievements attributable to DEAT over the past year. I would like to thank the staff of our Department, under the capable leadership of Director General Pam Yako, as well as the CEOs and boards of our statutory bodies. The commitment and dedication of these exceptional people has been the driving force behind the achievements that I have listed today.

I would also like to express my thanks to our MEC’s, Reverend Moatshe, Chairperson of our Select Committee, and to every member of the committee for their dedicated work over the past year.

Enquiries to:
Riaan Aucamp

Speech By Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, Minister Of Environmental Affairs And Tourism, During The National Assembly Debate On The Budget Vote Of The Department Of Environmental Affairs And Tourism, Tuesday

05 June 2007

SPEECH

Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

TUESDAY, 05 JUNE 2007:

PARTNERSHIPS, PROTECTION & PROSPERITY

INTRODUCTION

Madam Speaker, it is a great privilege to present the budget vote for Environmental Affairs and Tourism on June 5th, World Environment Day. Globally, the chosen theme for 2007 is “Melting Ice - A Hot Topic?” Madame Speaker, climate change and other environmental issues have recently, and within a very short period of time, dominated world news, and captured the imaginations of ordinary people around the world.

Over a 15 year period, international dialogue on environmental issues has moved from being principally the concern of environmentalists to becoming a universal concern that is now in the mainstream. Today, environmental issues are on the agenda of virtually every global forum, including the G8, G20, UN Commission on Sustainable Development, World Bank, World Trade Organisation and the World Economic Forum.

Our department remains firmly committed to our pledge to entrench and enforce the right of all South Africans to a clean and safe environment and to secure sustainable development that also furthers economic growth and social objectives. To this end, we have had to ensure that the process of mainstreaming environmental issues is accelerated in South Africa. Our approach is to galvanise partnerships in order to secure the best possible outcomes for environmental protection and economic prosperity for all our people.

PARTNERSHIPS FOR PROSPERITY

Madame Speaker, the partnerships consolidated by DEAT over the past year have done much more than aid the protection of our environment for future generations. Our partnerships have also made an outstanding contribution to the economic wellbeing of many South Africans. Nowhere is this more evident than in the tourism sector.

Tourism sector performance

The tourism industry, given pride of place amongst ASGISA’s priority sectors, has outdone itself yet again. Arrival statistics for 2006 show that South Africa received almost 8.4 million international arrivals - an increase of more than 1 million visitors compared to the previous year, and resounding evidence that the focused marketing efforts of South African Tourism (SAT) are paying off in every sense.

Thus far, the implementation of the airlift strategy - the result of a strong partnership between DEAT, SAT, the Department of Transport and the private sector - has shown impressive increases in capacity to bring tourists to South Africa. Between September 2006 and January this year, rights for almost 1.4 million additional seats per year were secured.

Sharing the fruits of tourism growth

It is of paramount concern to DEAT that the fruits of growth experienced by the tourism sector are accessible to all South Africans. The Tourism BEE Charter Council has been hard at work over the past year.

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Broad Based BEE Codes were gazetted on the 9th of February 2007, and we are hard at work in aligning our charter with these codes.

Open Africa Route

In order to fulfil the revenue, seasonality, distribution, length of stay and transformation requirements of the South African tourism industry, DEAT is funding the Open Africa Route initiative. The development of these routes will focus on the packaging of second economy products into tourism experiences. 23 existing routes are being revised to include second economy operators, and 3 new routes are being developed. On average each route will assist 30 Second Economy operators.

Rest assured, Madame Speaker that we are providing a comprehensive range of support measures to ensure that second economy operators are well equipped to meet the high expectations of both local and international travellers. 2 025 SMMEs will be trained on Tourism Awareness and 810 will be trained through Business Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing and Financial Management courses. 2 500 SMME rooms will be graded by 2009.

TOURISM SAFETY AND AWARENESS

I met with key industry stakeholders earlier this year and we have widespread buy-in for our Tourism Safety and Awareness Strategy that will be launched in September this year, during our tourism month celebrations. The strategy involves pro-active measures as well as support measures where incidents have occurred. The safety tips booklet for tourists has been revised and was distributed at the Tourism Indaba that was held last month. We are working with the SAPS on our Tourism Safety and Awareness Handbook for practitioners, which will serve as the definitive guide for the entire industry.

PARTNERSHIPS FOR PROTECTION

Our partnerships have assisted us to come up with strategies, implementation plans, legislation and management practices that place us in a stronger position to protect our environment for the benefit of all our people.

Climate Change

Our roadmap for a national climate policy recognises that the solution to the critical challenges we face should be addressed through integrated government planning, in collaboration with stakeholders through the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) and a strengthened multilateral regime.

To this end, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change led by DEAT initiated the Long Term Mitigation Scenario (LTMS) process. This process will outline the range of ambitious but realistic scenarios of future climate action, notably long-term emissions scenarios and their cost implications. In addition, various national departments, provinces and cities are refining their sector plans in line with the National Climate Change Response Strategy. Working closely with industry, DEAT will also be finalising our updated Greenhouse Gas Inventory. All this will inform our first ever Long Term National Climate Policy. We plan to publish this during 2008/9.

DEAT will also initiate a process that will, over the next few years, match our efforts on the mitigation scenario building process. This will culminate in a National Adaptation Plan.

Nature based tourism and wildlife are cited by some 30% of international visitors as key attractions - in conservation areas and beyond. With tourism contributing just over 8% to our GDP, the economic impact of climate change on tourism could be very large indeed.

Globally, by mid century, 20% to 30% of plant and animal species are likely to be at increased risk of extinction as a result of climate change. In sub-Saharan Africa, the IPCC indicated that between 25% and 40% of animal species in national parks will see further increases in threat status. South African Fynbos and the Succulent Karoo ecosystem seem particularly vulnerable and for a mean global temperature increase of between 2 and 3ºC during this century, we stand to lose between 50% and 65% of our unique Fynbos.

In order to conserve our magnificent heritage and key environmental assets, and ensure that these are passed on intact to the children and grandchildren of our nation, and indeed the world, we have to recognise that our knowledge base is incomplete. Within DEAT, we will focus pro-actively on enhancing research on the impacts of climate change on key environmental assets and biodiversity management on land and in our oceans. This will inform ecosystem planning, biodiversity management, the management of marine resources, park management and climate change adaptive plans.

Our national parks and Transfrontier conservation areas

Infrastructure development funds allocated to SANParks totals R574,9 million. Coupled with the R600 million that is being spent on the infrastructure component of the Expanded Public Works Programme, total expenditure on upgrading, as well as new rest camps, tourism roads, fences and other infrastructure, will have exceeded R1 billion by 2010.

In terms of 2010 accommodation, SANParks signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the FIFA accommodation and ticketing company, MATCH - providing soccer fans with the chance to have a truly unique World Cup experience. In the event that SANParks is called on to provide more accommodation units than are currently available in its inventory, the organisation has made provisions to erect, at short notice, tented accommodation to meet any demands that may be placed on the facilities. Provision of services in national parks throughout the 2010 World Cup tournament will occur with very minimal disruption to domestic visitors - who remain the organisation’s backbone.

In June 2005 eight SADC member states adopted a strategy aimed at positioning our Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA’s) and Transfrontier Parks (TFP’s) as premier international tourism attractions for 2010 and beyond. We therefore plan, before the end of the year, to hold at least two investor conferences, one in South Africa and one in Europe to attract investment into major tourist facilities within the TFCA’s.

Our marine and coastal management

Partnerships with industry and communities have enabled us to make major progress with the allocation of fishing rights. Following the 2001 allocation of medium-term fishing rights of 2 to 4 years, last year the Department allocated long-term commercial fishing rights of 8 to 15 years in 20 fishing sectors. The biggest challenge in the rights allocation process was to balance declining and migrating marine living resources with the high demand for access to these resources. A total of 2542 long-term commercial fishing rights were allocated to successful applicants and appellants, significantly improving the transformation profile of the industry. The estimated wholesale value of production in the fishing industry was approximately R4.5 billion last year.

We are strengthening our partnerships with non governmental and community based organisations. A case in point is the interim relief agreement that was reached with Masifundise. Whilst we are finalising our small scale and subsistence fishing policies, we have instituted a temporary measure, granting interim relief to about 1000 fishers in communities between Port Nolloth and Arniston. Government and fishing industry stakeholders have also agreed to move towards establishing a future unified liaison structure. We had a constructive meeting with the industry yesterday and agreed on principles for a representative body to advise the department. The structure will include representatives from all sectors of industry and skilled specialists.

Honourable members, we have also taken the bull by the horns with regard to the Marine Living Resources Fund (MLRF). We are implementing a turnaround strategy, focusing on short-term interventions as well as medium term strategies for addressing the state of the fund, both financially and organisationally. Progress against this strategy is being closely monitored and we have given the House a progress report subsequent to the SCOPA hearings.

Madam Speaker, scientific studies show that the abalone resource remains on the verge of collapse. It seems that there is little prospect of recovery in the short term. The main causes of the decline in abalone are poaching and ecosystem effects - most notably, the migration of West Coast Rock Lobster into areas where abalone is located. Environmentally, an intricate relationship exists between abalone, sea urchins and rock lobsters. During the early 11000’s, when rock lobster migration started, it led to the complete demise of the sea urchin population and to a severe reduction in the recruitment of juvenile abalone. The impact of the encroachment is that two of the four abalone zones were lost to the fishery.

Despite many successful examples of monitoring and surveillance of the abalone sector, the resource continues to decline at an alarming rate. If by November we do not see a significant reversal of this situation, we will be forced to announce a plan to close down the commercial abalone sector for a period of about 10 years, which is what is required for the resource to recover. The challenge for our department will be to enlist the support of other departments and state agencies, locally and provincially, in the joint development of alternative livelihood strategies for those fishers and communities who will be adversely affected by the potential closure of the abalone fishing sector. It is my belief that marine aquaculture can play an important role in filling such a gap.

Marine aquaculture is an integral part of our strategy to diversify the fishing industry. Taking into account the global picture, as well as our local needs, we are almost ready to gazette the first ever marine aquaculture policy for South Africa. The policy aims to create an enabling environment that includes looking at achieving transformation and broadening participation in the industry through SMME initiatives and facilitating finance and skills development. Our policies are also intended to improve the management and control of environmental impacts and increase the resource base to a more diverse suite of species. It gives me pleasure to announce that our Department will be initiating four marine aquaculture projects, one in each coastal province, in the 2007/2008 Financial Year.

Legislation and Regulation

Madam Speaker, DEAT will continue to strengthen its regulatory muscle through the development of legislation, regulations, norms and standards to facilitate better management of the environment. We have prioritised pro-active risk management and strict regulatory enforcement. Our legislative programme this year includes four bills that will be tabled in parliament: the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) Amendment Bill dealing principally with environmental management inspectors, the Waste Bill, the NEMA Chapter 5 Amendment Bill dealing with environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and the Integrated Coastal Management Bill.

The department published draft norms and standards for the management of elephant populations in South Africa for public comment in March. We received over 700 pages of comments, from a wide range of individuals and organisations by the closing date of 4 May 2007. The comments have been consolidated into a single document, which will now be discussed with the provincial authorities and other requisite stakeholders before being amended and finalised.

The regulations relating to threatened and protected species, developed after an intensive public consultation process, were published in February 2007 for entry into force on 1 June 2007. However, after consultation with some provincial MECs the date of entry into force was postponed to 1 February 2008 to allow provincial authorities enough time to make the necessary preparations for implementation. I want to make it clear that this is in no way intended to signal a softening of our position on reprehensible practices such as canned hunting of large predators. These regulations signal the start of a clean-up of the hunting industry. They lay the basis for a well regulated and ethical hunting and game farming industry in South Africa. The hunting industry is an important industry but its long term survival will be guaranteed only if it is based on defensible practices

We are therefore opposing court action initiated by the South African Predator Breeders Association in the High Court in Bloemfontein against these regulations. I want to make it clear that South Africa has a long-standing reputation as a global leader on conservation issues. We will not allow our achievements to be undermined by unethical and rogue practices.

The Integrated Coastal Management Bill was gazetted in December 2006. This new piece of legislation will lead to the adoption of a new approach in managing the nation’s coastal resources. This will promote social equity and make better use of coastal resources, whilst also protecting the natural environment. Comments received from the public participation process indicate overwhelming support for the Bill and its principles. These comments have now been incorporated into a new version of the Bill which is scheduled for tabling in Parliament later this year.

Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) are internationally recognised as an important tool to enable governments to ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account when reaching important decisions on development and investment. Since the promulgation of the 1997 EIA Regulations approximately 50 000 applications have been submitted to EIA authorities. The 1997 Regulations were repealed on 3 July 2006, at which time 5 859 of these applications were still pending finalisation. In the period between 3 July 2006 and 31 March 2007, 3 034 of these applications were finalised, reducing the number of pending applications by more than half.

Chapter Five of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the EIA Regulations are currently being amended in order to ensure that our processes are as efficient as possible. These amendment processes will be concluded by the second half of this year. These amendments are intended to eliminate problems, correct thresholds and further rationalise the system so that EIAs can be processed even more speedily. Furthermore, the NEMA amendment provides the powers in law to introduce further strategic planning tools that will in the medium term mean that less individual EIAs will be done as environmental planning is better integrated into the overall planning process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Madame Speaker, I would like to thank the Department, under the capable leadership of Director General Pam Yako, each and every DEAT staff member, as well as the CEOs and boards of our statutory bodies for their tireless efforts to build partnerships for protection & prosperity. None of the achievements that I have spoken of today would be possible without the hard work and dedication of these outstanding individuals whose commitment to consolidating the achievements of our first decade of freedom is without question.

I would also like to express my thanks to our Deputy Minister, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, for her hard work and support this year, as well as to Honourable Langa Zita, Chairperson of our Portfolio Committee, and to every member of the committee - which remains involved, committed and active.

I would also like to thank our numerous partners, both beyond and within our borders, including industry, non-governmental organisations and communities for working with us to achieve collectively what none of us could have achieved individually.

I thank you.

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Honourable Deputy Minister, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi’s Speech For The Budget Vote On Environmental Affairs And Tourism, National Assembly, 05 June 2007

05 June 2007

Speech

Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

MADAM SPEAKER
HONOURABLE MINISTERS AND DEPUTY MINISTERS
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURES
HONOURABLE MECs
DIRECTORS-GENERAL
DISTINGUISED GUESTS
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

1. Introduction
Environmental rights have long been recognized as a fundamental component of human rights. The Stockholm Declaration of the UN Conference on the Human Environment in 1972 resolved that “Both aspects of man’s environment, the natural and man-made, are essential to his well-being and to the enjoyment of basic human rights – even the right to life itself”.

However, this has not been the case in South Africa because it was only after the dawn of democracy in 1994 that the right to a clean and healthy environment was recognized in Section 24 of our Constitution. The reality is that we have inherited huge backlogs in terms of addressing environmental issues facing our nation and redressing the negative impacts of the environmental injustice of the past.

Our challenges in addressing backlogs range from air pollution, waste and chemicals management to transformation of the biodiversity and conservation sector to ensure our people regain their rightful status as the custodians of the environment. In addressing these challenges we have to create opportunities for socio-economic empowerment to push back the frontiers of poverty and ensure a better life for all.

2. Air Quality Management
According to the World Health Organisation’s assessment of the burden of disease due to air pollution, more than 2 million cases of premature death each year can be attributed to the effects of air pollution. More than half of this disease burden is borne by the populations of developing countries.

Madam Speaker, I am therefore proud to report that our Department has made significant strides in addressing air pollution problems facing our nation. In addition to the Durban Multipoint Plan for Air Quality Management, we have declared the Vaal Triangle Air-shed as priority area requiring urgent interventions by government and all stakeholders. We have already established an air quality monitoring system in the area and six air quality monitoring stations have been procured and installed to generate data. In addition we have gazetted our intention to declare the Highveld as the 2nd National Priority Area in the near future.

As part of the implementation process of the New Air Quality Act, we are currently reviewing Registration Certificates issued in terms of the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act of 1965. To this effect, we have prioritized the key sectors whose permits require review and we are in consultations with them on the reviews. These sectors include: Petrochemical (7 operations); Primary steel manufacture (9 operations); Primary aluminium production (2 operations); Ferro-alloy industries specifically chromium, vanadium and manganese (ferro-silicon) production (27 - 30 operations); Pulp and paper industries (9 operations); Coal-fired power stations (national grid) (~20 operations).

3. Waste management
From a health and service delivery perspective waste management remains a severe challenge in our country. This challenge has been exacerbated by lack of legislative powers for us to enforce compliance with internationally acceptable practices of managing waste.

In order to provide the required legal framework, our department has published a Waste Management Bill for public comment and has concluded an extensive nation wide consultation with stakeholders and the public. As a result of this public consultation a National Waste Management Conference was held this year in partnership with the Department of Provincial and Local Government as a platform for robust engagements on the provisions of the draft Waste Management Bill.

Participants from municipalities, NGO’s, private sector, business enterprises, local communities and academic institutions all expressed their views on the Bill. The Bill drives a waste minimization approach that stresses the need for us as a country to reduce, recover, reuse and recycle our waste. It is a sad fact that poor waste management practices results in South Africans literally throwing away the hundreds of millions of rands that are spent on waste disposal systems, and which could rather be turned into a renewed source of income through the above measures.

Alongside the legislative process we are in the process of engaging in discussions with the private sector, municipalities and other government departments for turning waste into wealth through projects for the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste. Such projects would form the basis for our second economy interventions in poor communities. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the pioneering work done by the recycling industry in relation to initiatives that make it increasingly easy for our people to ensure that their waste is not just thrown away.

4. Chemicals Management
During the previous budget vote we announced that the World Bank has provided us with funding for the disposal of obsolete pesticides as part of the African Stockpile Program. We have begun to implement this program throughout the country. Further work on training workers to handle chemicals will be undertaken this year.

A pilot project for the collection of all obsolete pesticides possessed by farmers in Limpopo Province has begun. This pilot project will serve as a benchmark for the roll-out of projects in other provinces.

5. Provision of Weather Service
Over the years, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has earned credibility as a provider of reliable data on weather and climatic patterns. The most important achievement has been its ability to issue warnings of impending disasters to the public, business and government.
For an example, SAWS accurately and well in advance predicted the onset and severity of the bitterly cold weather that swept through the country last month.

To further enhance our effectiveness and efficiency in the next few years, we will be making further investments on the modernization our services through recapitalization and expansion of our observations networks and infrastructure. This will enable us to establish more radar networks to assist with weather forecasts in rural areas that are most prone and vulnerable to natural disasters.

6. People and Parks
You will recall that the repealed Group Areas Act legalized the forceful removals of rural communities from productive lands to dry lands to pave way for the creation of Protected Areas. Our department is faced with a mammoth task of restoring ownership of natural resources to communities living adjacent to these Protected Areas.

In pursuit of some of the resolutions taken at our 2nd People and Parks Conference last year, we have established a National Steering Committee representing various stakeholders in our nine Provinces. We are now busy mobilizing communities and conservation agencies to prepare for the 3rd conference which will be held later this year in order to develop a comprehensive program of action.

Mindful of the delays in settling land claims in protected areas, we have signed an MOA with the Department of Land Affairs which would outline roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders involved in the process of settling land claims within our Protected Areas. We will be developing a People and Parks Charter that will outline national guidelines for the co-management of natural resources by park authorities and communities. For communities to participate meaningfully in co-management, substantial funding will be required for training and capacity building purposes.

Following our successful initiatives to mark 2006 as the International Year for Deserts and Desertification, we will continue to launch land rehabilitation projects in remote and rural areas of our country.

7. Protection of the Marine Environment
South Africa, as the Vice-Chair for both the Abidjan and Nairobi Conventions for the Protection, Management and Development of Marine and Coastal Environment, has accepted UNEP’s request for us to host a joint meeting for these conventions early September this year.

The ultimate goal of this joint meeting is to develop a long term vision for coastal and marine management in sub-saharan Africa and promote programs that strengthen the implementation of these conventions. One of the key programs in this regard is the West Indian Ocean Land-based activities program (WIOLab) which we will continue to implement in our coastal areas in order to combat pollution from land-based activities.

In order to meet the requirements of these conventions and implement relevant programs, our department will need to beef-up its capacity for research, science technology in all aspects of marine and coastal management including aquaculture. We have responded to this challenge by introducing an Accelerated Development Program for marine scientists. This program will also present an opportunity for us to accelerate transformation within our Marine and Coastal Management branch through the implementation of a training, development and retention program targeted at young, up-and-coming black scientists.

8. Tourism Development
Our tourism development program for this year will explore further possibilities for tourism growth in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and beyond. Most of our efforts in this area will be dedicated towards training local communities so that they are able to develop and benefit from community-based initiatives on ecotourism, religious tourism and cultural tourism.

There are several historical sites which we will be considering for development as tourism destinations being part of our medium to long term plans. For example, we have a real opportunity to turn the Great Trek that took place between 1834 and 1845 in Southern Africa into a tourism route centred on intercultural relations associated with it. In this respect, we would celebrate many events, monuments and memorials along the Great Trek routes. This would also facilitate reconciliation and unity amongst people from diverse cultural backgrounds in our country while providing us with further opportunities to create jobs and grow the economy.

At the International Conference on Peace through Tourism held in Kampala, Uganda this year, African Ministers have agreed to turn the slave trade routes into tourism destinations as part of revival of the African Diaspora initiative. Further plans on this initiative will be unveiled at our Third International African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference to be held in the Bahamas in October this year.

9. Social Responsibility Program
Our Social Responsibility Program has maintained and surpassed its excellent record of implementing community projects. It is on record that we have spent hundreds of millions of rands to fund community projects over the past few years. We currently have 308 active projects nationwide. We have so far created about 13 000 jobs out of which 459 are permanent.

Our plan for the funding cycle under consideration is to increase the scope of our projects with a target to create 13 000 jobs out of which 450 will be permanent. More resources will be required to respond to requests for beneficiary funding, training in management, marketing skills and business coaching at all stages of our projects.

10. Youth and Women Empowerment
As we debate our national budget, our programs may not be able to meet the aspirations and needs of women and youth if we do not adopt a budget that will be sufficient to meet these needs.

It is in this context that we will be responding to the Deputy President’s call for the massification of the National Youth Service Program within the environment and tourism sectors. We will launch the National Youth Service Program in Environment and Tourism later this year as a vehicle for young people to contribute to service delivery, nation building and social cohesion whilst acquiring skills to enhance their employability within our sectors.

Our National Youth Service Program will be funded to the tune of R25 million for the enrolment of 500 young people across the country. This program will be part and parcel of our social responsibility program which has already contributed to the employment of at least1000 young people throughout the country.

From a women empowerment perspective, we will spend this year strengthening our stakeholders’ capability to implement the resolutions taken during our previous conferences on Women and Environment. We also ensure that every branch of our department facilitates active participation of women during the implementation of its programs. All these measures will take us forward in terms implementing the objectives of the Global Forum for Women Ministers of Environment for which we are the Chair.

10. Education and Awareness Raising
In partnership with civil society, NGOs, community-based organizations and private sector we will be implementing comprehensive interventions to sensitize our communities and industries on responsible environmental management practices.

In this regard I am happy to inform the House that we have now launched South Africa’s national environment campaign, Indalo Yethu. Meaning Our Environment, Our Place and Our Future – Indalo Yethu, which is a legacy project of WSSD, was activated a few weeks ago at the Cradle of Humankind in Mogale City.

Through Indalo Yethu we have now issued a call to action for all of us to start doing our bit in promoting as well as living environmentally responsible lifestyles. An endorsement system will be introduced later this year to recognize those institutions that will be embracing what I want to refer to as greening or eco-friendly practices.

11. Conclusion
As our economy continues to grow in leaps and bounds, we have a profound responsibility to ensure that the pursuit for material prosperity does not compromise our ability to halt the ever increasing unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. This is the only way through which our future generations may inherit a legacy of sustainable development practices which they could also pass onto many generations to come.

Thank you