STATEMENT BY MARTHINUS VAN
SCHALKWYK, SOUTH AFRICAN MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL
AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, BALI, INDONESIA ON TUESDAY
11 DECEMBER 2007
EARLY BREAKTHROUGH IN BALI ON NEW FUND TO
ASSIST DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE
CHANGE
After 10 days of intense negotiations we
achieved an early breakthrough in the climate
negotiations in Bali.
By late last night negotiators clinched a
deal to officially launch the multilateral
Adaptation Fund. South Africa led the negotiations
on this issue for the largest negotiating
bloc, the G77 & China, which represents
130 developing countries.
The decision constitutes a major victory
for the developing world in setting in place
a new governance system for funding of adaptation
activities that are aimed at expedited and
direct access to the Fund, whose operations
will be guided by an independent Adaptation
Fund Board. Another major breakthrough for
the developing group was the fact that the
majority of members would come from developing
countries and that if any voting on decisions
would be needed, this will take place on the
basis of one country one vote.
The purpose of the Fund is to assist vulnerable
developing countries to adapt to the inevitable
impacts of climate change. It will be worth
up to $500 million per year by 2012, and is
expected to grow exponentially beyond 2012.
Our Cabinet mandate was to establish a transparent
and fair governance regime under an Adaptation
Fund Board, with direct access for developing
countries, and a secretariat to be provided
by the Global Environment Facility. Our aim
was also to ensure that this Fund will be
exempt from the decision-making procedures
of the GEF, to give developing countries a
more direct and equitable voice in how funds
are prioritised and spent.
The possibility of direct access to the Adaptation
Fund by eligible parties was of major concern
for the Group of 77. The G77 did not want
to continue a process where they would be
forced to use implementing agencies. After
agreeing to include criteria relating to financial
responsibility and the ability to deliver
the projects, it was agreed that eligible
countries will have direct access to the Fund.
The appointment of a secretariat and trustee
was of the most contentious aspects of the
decision, given the negative experiences that
most developing countries have with their
interaction with the GEF and the World Bank
in respect of the funding of climate related
projects. In the end it was decided that the
GEF and the World Bank will be appointed on
an interim basis and that this arrangement
will be subjected to a rigorous review.
Nominations for the Board will now be requested
and the Board is to urgently start its work
in 2008.
Inquiries: Riaan Aucamp
+ More
Court Bid to Halt Emergency Abalone Fishing
Failed: Department welcomes the court decision
12 December 2007 - Media Statement - Department
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism - WEDNESDAY,
12 DECEMBER 2007: An urgent court interdict
brought against the department yesterday (Tuesday
11 December 2007) from a splinter group within
the South African Abalone Fishers Association
to halt the issuing of abalone permits to
commercial abalone right holders has failed
in court yesterday.
The interdict sought that the department
halt the issuing of commercial abalone fishing
permits which would effectively prohibit right
holders from fishing, with immediate effect.
It further sought to exclude and prevent right
holders from certain turfs to fish in turfs
where a total allowable catch (TAC) has been
allocated.
This comes in the midst of the closure of
the commercial abalone fishery which will
be implemented from 1 February 2008. The abalone
resource is threatened with extinction and
urgent drastic measures are required to prevent
the resource from total collapse. Over the
past 10 years the total allowable catch (TAC)
has been reduced annually from 615 tons in
1995 to a record low of 125 tons for the 2006/7
season and an all time emergency low of 75
tons for the shortened 2007/8 season. The
decline of the abalone stocks is as a result
of poaching and ecological changes. In 2003
a moratorium on the recreational abalone fishery
had been placed due to the rapid declining
of the resource.
The closure of the commercial fishery is
considered as the only viable option at this
stage to provide an opportunity to prevent
a total commercial collapse of this highly
valued, almost globally extinct resource.
After Minister of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk considered
pleas from right holders regarding the implementation
date of the closure and following scientific
advice, he then decided to delay the implementation
of the closure from 1 November 2007 to 1 February
2008 and to allocate an emergency TAC of 75
tons for the shortened season.
The department immediately held several consultations
with abalone rights holders including the
SA Abalone Fishers Association and Turf Representatives
to decide on the allocation of the 75 tons
abalone among right holders. An Inter Area
(turf) Schedule which will allow right holders
to harvest abalone across turfs to access
to the resource was agreed upon. Fishing across
turfs has been an agreeable practice within
the commercial abalone fishery since the allocation
of long term fishing rights in 2003.
Despite the agreement through consultation
an urgent interdict was brought against the
department. Although the interdict was brought
under the name of the South African Abalone
Fishers Association, members from the association
have distanced themselves from the action
and communicated to the court that they were
not aware of the action and disagree with
it as they themselves will be negatively affected,
especially those who are in turfs where no
or a very low TAC has been allocated. They
further allege that the division in the association
seem to be based on the areas (turfs) in which
right holders reside and along racial lines.
The department regards this as unfortunate.
The department welcomes the decision of the
court.
Mava Scott (Acting Chief Director: Communications)
National Statement Delivered at the UN Climate
Change Conference in Bali, by Marthinus van
Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs
and Tourism, South Africa
12 December 2007 - Speech
STRICT EMBARGO: 14:00 (SA TIME)
Mr President
South Africa associates itself with the statement
by Pakistan on behalf of G77&China.
In 1992, when the Convention was negotiated,
there was some scientific uncertainty about
the link between climate change and human
activity.
In the face of this uncertainty, the Convention
was negotiated as a framework that enables
the international community to agree on future
action as the science improves or new tools
and technologies become available.
As a framework the Convention only establishes
the "Rules of the Game" to guide
our future collective action. It sets the
long term goal, determines the key principles,
and identifies the main areas of work. But
it does not specify exactly what action should
be taken, and how.
Therefore, in 1995, when the 2nd IPCC Assessment
Report gave us more scientific certainty,
this august body took decisive action and
developed a new legal instrument, the Kyoto
Protocol, under this framework.
Mr President
Today, some 12 years later, we are faced
with alarming and overwhelming scientific
findings from the 4th Assessment Report. As
in 1995, we now, once again, have to take
control of our common future. As the leading
policy-makers on the environment, our key
task here in Bali is to take decisive action
to give further concrete and substantial content
to the Framework Convention.
The climate challenge is urgent and global.
The Bali Roadmap must deliver a strengthened
and effective multilateral climate regime.
This regime should galvanize deep reductions
in emissions for developed countries, and
enable developing countries to leap-frog to
a low carbon-intensity growth path.
If we want to conclude our negotiations on
a strengthened climate regime by the end of
2009, we must agree this week on the form
and shape of the Bali Roadmap. This Roadmap
must raise the bar for all.
Some of our partners say that we will not
get a climate deal without developing countries.
Let's be clear on that: As a developing country
we will take ambitious mitigation action.
South Africa will contribute its fair share
towards our common responsibility for the
future. Our actions will be measurable, reportable
and verifiable. Given the urgency indicated
by science, there is no longer a plausible
excuse for inaction by any country.
Mr President, science tells us that emissions
must peak in the next 10 to 15 years, and
then be reduced by half of 2000 levels by
2050. Towards this end, the Bali Roadmap must
signal the resolve of developed countries
to reduce their emissions by at least 25 to
40% below 11000 levels by 2020. Comparable
commitments by all Annex I Parties, including
those who have not ratified Kyoto, will be
imperative.
President, in conclusion, achieving climate
stability and sustainable development in an
equitable way requires individual nations
to rise above short term self-interest for
the benefit of the long term global public
good. We must all act with a greater sense
of urgency. We have different responsibilities
for the past; and we should all take common
responsibility for the future. South Africa
stands ready.
Finally President, let me emphasize that
women are particularly vulnerable to the devastating
impacts of climate change. Yesterday the Network
of Women Ministers for the Environment adopted
a statement that should receive our active
and resourced support. We encourage the UNFCCC
to develop a gender strategy as part of our
work going forward.
Thank you
Riaan Aucamp (Minister's Spokesperson)
South African Ministry of Environmental Affairs
and Tourism
Note to Editors: The United Nations Climate
Change Conference in Bali will continue until
14 December 2007. Delegates to the conference
are deliberating on a wide range of topics
and agenda items, with a major focus being
post-2012, when the Kyoto Protocol's first
commitment period expires. In particular,
delegates will seek to agree on a negotiating
process to finalize a post-2012 regime. Other
issues that will be taken up include the Kyoto
Protocol's flexible mechanisms, reducing emissions
from deforestation in developing countries,
technology transfer, financial issues, and
issues relating to adaptation, including the
Adaptation Fund.
