19 May 2009 - Media Invitation
- Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism - TUESDAY, 19 MAY 2009:
Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental
Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi will deliver
a key note address at a gala dinner to mark
the International Day for Biological Diversity
on Thursday, 21 May 2009 in Cape Town.
International Day for
Biological Diversity will be celebrated
worldwide on 22 May 2009 under the theme,
“Invasive Alien species.” Invasive alien
plants are one of the greatest threats to
biodiversity as well as ecological and economic
well being of society. They exacerbate poverty
and threaten development through their impact
on agriculture, natural systems and forestry.
The increasing negative impacts of climate
change on ecosystems and species also aggravates
the situation.
The department will
celebrate the conclusion of the soon to
be gazetted National Biodiversity Framework
(NBF).The NBF is an important milestone
in the conservation arena and spells out
the most urgent actions to be conducted
to manage the country’s biodiversity over
the next five years.
The NBF is one of the
achievements since the promulgation of the
National Environmental Management: Biodiversity
Act (NEMBA) in 2004. The Minister responsible
for the environment is expected to report
to Cabinet on its implementation five years
from date of publication of the NBF.
Several priority actions
listed in the NBF have already been initiated
and these include the development of several
planning tools and regulations. One of the
tools of the NBF is the development of the
regulations for the Alien and Invasive species
(AIS). The draft AIS regulations were published
for public comment in April 2009. The comments
period has since closed and comments received
are currently being processed.
The gala dinner is part
of a two day conference on environmental
resource economics scheduled for 21 and
22 May. The conference is organized by the
South African National Biodiversity Institute
(SANBI) which is an entity of the department.
Details of the Gala
Dinner are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 21 May 2009
Time: 19:00
Venue: Ritz Hotel, Sea Point, Cape Town
Corner Main and Camberwell Roads, Sea Point,
Cape Town
Media is invited to
the gala dinner and can confirm attendance
with Nthabiseng Mphela at 012 310 3203/
082 823 3695 and Lizzy Suping at 012 310
3310/083 758 0553.
BACKGROUND
The United Nations proclaimed May 22, the
International Day for Biological Diversity
(IDB) to increase understanding and awareness
of biodiversity issues. When first created
by the Second Committee of the UN General
Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the
date of entry into force of the Convention
of Biological Diversity), was designated
The International Day for Biological Diversity.
In December 2000, the UN General Assembly
adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the
adoption of the text of the Convention on
22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of
the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed
Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
This was partly done because it was difficult
for many countries to plan and carry out
suitable celebrations for the date of 29
December, given the number of holidays that
coincide around that time of year.
For further information
on International Day for Biological Diversity
visit Convention on Biological Diversity
- www.cbd.int/idb/
Media enquiries can be directed to:
Roopa Singh (Director: Communications)
+ More
Urban Environmental
Management Programme (UEMP) Conference Started
Today in Somerset West
20 May 2009 - Media
Statement - Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism - WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY
2009: “The Danish funded Urban Environmental
Management Programme (UEMP) has already
had an immense impact in South Africa,”
said the Royal Danish Ambassador, Mr Dan
E Frederiksen, during his keynote address
at the annual UEMP conference in Somerset
West, Western Cape.
“No one can doubt that
many interesting and innovative initiatives
have been implemented under the UEM programme
regarding urban development,” he added.
The UEMP conference
takes place on 20 and 21 May at the Lord
Charles Hotel in Somerset West
“The Danish funded Urban
Environmental Management Programme is in
the process of implementing well over 275
projects in Waste Management, Air Quality,
Environmental Planning and Environmental
Health in South Africa,” said Mr Peter Lukey,
Chief Director of Air Quality Management
and Climate Change at the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT).
Lukey said that of the
275 projects approximately 80 projects have
been completed. Special attention this past
year was given to the theme of Climate Change
and Energy Efficiency.
The UEM programme allocated
a special grant of R 60 million in 2008
to the four metros within the programme
(Johannesburg, Cape Town, Ekurhuleni and
eThekwini) to supplement their existing
projects in combating Climate Change and
reducing green house gas emissions. These
projects include roll out and implementation
of projects such as the establishment of
Energy offices, Retrofitting of Council
Buildings, LED streetlight retrofitting,
Climate Proofing of Urban Communities and
roll out of Solar Water Heaters.
During his welcome address
Frederiksen stated that he was happy with
the progress made in the implementation
of the R 60 million funding allocated to
the metros for energy and climate change
initiatives.
“The focus for this
mini-programme was, besides implementation,
large-scale roll-out of proven approaches
and technologies. And I really think we
here are seeing some very interesting initiatives,”
said Frederiksen.
“For example the large-scale
roll-out of tree planting in eThekwini,
the large-scale roll-out of the low-cost
housing ceiling programme in Cape Town,
the large-scale roll-out of solar water
heating in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni,
and many others. I find it very important
that we together continue to implement practical
projects that we can showcase, not only
to each other, but also to the rest of Africa
and the world,” emphasised Frederiksen.
The main purpose of
the hosting of the UEMP conference is to
enhance dialogue and collaborative effort
through reflection, sharing of experiences
and facilitation of linkages and cooperation
between the different project implementers
of the UEM programme as well as a wider
spectrum of partners nationally and regionally.
The UEMP case study
file was also launched today, 20 May 2009
by the Royal Danish Embassy and the South
African Cities Network. The resource file
is the first set of 39 case studies cutting
across all the themes of the UEMP. The resource
file supports the knowledge management objectives
of the UEMP and is aimed at sharing information
and lessons among the Programme partners.
One of the (early) highlights
of the UEMP programme this year was the
sponsoring of the Climate Change Summit
in March 2009, to initiate the National
Climate Change Response Policy with the
intention of having an initial draft by
end 2009.
DEAT today presented
the National Climate Change Response Database
to conference delegates. The database provides
a central portal for and easy access to
the excellent climate change work being
done in South Africa as well as a networking
platform for researchers and potential donors.
The Metros presented
on the implementation of the R15 million
of climate change and renewable energy projects.
On Day 2 of the conference
parallel sessions on air quality, environmental
health, urban environmental planning, waste
management as well as practical interventions
for low income solar water heater roll out
will take place.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The programme began
in 2006 with a five year budget of DKK 220
million. The design of the programme is
in line with international best practice
on aid effectiveness (Paris Convention 2005).It
is based on the premise that any development
cooperation support will have the highest
chance of success if it is locally owned
and driven. Hence the South African partners
are responsible for the implementation and
progress of the programmes.
What is the UEMP?
The five year UEMP (
2006 - 2010) is a programme in collaboration
between the Governments of South Africa
and Denmark which amongst others responds
directly to South African government priorities
and promotes intergovernmental cooperation.
Funded by Denmark, UEMP
is a partnership between eleven government
partner institutions of South Africa from
all three spheres of government - national,
provincial as well as municipal.
What are the focal points
of the UEMP?
The Programme emphasizes
improved capacity of service delivery, strategic
management and collaboration between the
different spheres of government. The environmental
focus is on air quality, sustainable energy
management, environmental health, sustainable
planning and waste management.
Who are the UEMP partners?
UEMP partners include,
Department of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism (DEAT), the Department of Health
(DoH), Province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Province
of the Western Cape and Province of Gauteng
and Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Johannebsurg
and Cape Town Metros and Sedibeng District
Municipality.
Where can I get more
information on UEMP?
Visit www.uemp.org.za
Roopa Singh (Director Communications)
