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LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVES ON THE SA COP21 NEGOTIATION

POSITION

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON CLIMATE CHANGE CONVENED BY THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS 22-23 SEPTEMBER 2015

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Objective of the presentation:

1. To reflect on the mandate and role of local government

2. To share the Organised Local Government perspective on the SA Position

3. Local government roadmap for COP21

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• The national Climate Change Response White Paper recognises local government as an important actor to achieve climate change objectives.

• Section 10.2.6 identifies the key constitutional mandates of local government that are critical in developing our national climate response:

• Planning and urban development• Municipal infrastructure and services• Water, energy and waste demand management• Local disaster response

1. The local government climate response mandate

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Key municipal functions that support climate change response efforts include:• Land-use planning & management

• Water and sanitation services

• Municipal health services

• Refuse removal, refuse dumps and solid waste disposal

• Municipal parks and recreation

• Air pollution

• Fire-fighting and disaster management

• Municipal roads and Storm water management systems

• Environmental management functions carried out in terms of NEMA (including Coastal Management Act, Environmental Conservation Act, Protected Areas Act & Biodiversity Act)

• Electricity/energy (renewable energy and energy efficiency) 4

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2. LG perspective on SA Negotiating position

• South Africa’s national position in the Paris negotiations is informed on the following principles:

– To ensure that environmental and developmental imperatives are balanced;

– To ensure that global emission reduction efforts are adequate to avert dangerous climate change while respecting developing countries’ priorities for development and eradicating poverty

– That in accordance to the principle of common but differentiated responsibility, and respective capability, and equity – developed countries have an obligation to provide sufficient means of implementation to support both adaptation and mitigation efforts by developing countries.

– That adaptation and mitigation must receive equal priority, in accordance with South Africa’s national policy framework and the National Development Plan; and further that adaptation is recognised as a global priority.

– South Africa subscribes to a multilateral rules based regime.

• Summary of SA position: SA seeks:-

– A legally binding agreement; with legal parity/ a balanced approach to mitigation & adaptation;

– Enhanced ambition for mitigation to ensure that the world stays below 2o Celsius increase in temperature

– Enhanced finance, technology transfer and capacity building mechanism with added emphasis on adaptation support for developing countries

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2. LG perspective on SA Negotiating position

• SALGA, on behalf of member municipalities supports the SA position – with the provision that the position must be more reflective of subnational (local government) and non-state actors position

• The South African negotiating position is largely in keeping with the desired outcomes that will be beneficial to local government in South Africa.

• However, SALGA has observed that the position does not place even greater emphasis on climate change adaptation and loss and damage; which are critical considerations for municipalities and their vulnerabilities.

• Municipalities face the most significant risk to infrastructure, particularly those that will experience higher incidence of flooding. Socio-economic disparities in many urban (peri-urban) and rural contexts also pose greater risks for municipalities.

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2. LG perspective on SA Negotiating position

• Local Government contribution to the negotiators mandate:

– Balanced attention and merit of initiatives to both mitigation and adaptation efforts

– Setting of country-specific mitigation targets (i.e. intended nationally determined contributions) that are reflective of local government capabilities & contributions

– Increased financial contributions of developed countries to financing mechanism – with added emphasis on accessibility of such facilities to sub-national and non-state actors

– Adequate technology transfer mechanisms for developing countries, with financing also extended to supporting research; concept/proposal development and meeting reporting requirements

– A legally binding agreement for all parties – with enhanced means of implementation; and with consideration of the current legislative vacuum and fiscal deficits in the country, particularly for local government

• Overall, DEA should more clearly articulate and emphasise the role of cities and sub-national (non-state actors).

– The position is silent on local government as a critical implementation lever

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3. Roadmap of engagement in the build up to COP21

Mayoral Pre-COP21 Conference hosted by Executive Mayor of Tshwane4 September 2015

SALGA Provincial Members Assemblies

17 September – 12 November 2015

Consolidating OLG Position

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COP21/CMP11

ICLEI Local government pavilion

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Concluding remarks

• Although local government has a representative on the negotiations team; SALGA and its members are concerned with limited engagement of both the designated official and the broader local government community; specifically in the mandating platforms.

• SALGA is appreciative of the opportunity and platform afforded by the INDC consultations roadshow in the provinces and is in the process of preparing a written submission of comments on the INDC discussion document; however, the consultations only involved local government in a cursory manner and SALGA appeals for more targeted and thorough engagement in future.

• Local government partners, including SALGA; ICLEI and the SA Cities Network represent the diversity and complexities of local climate change responses; and offer an avenue for a consolidated approach to taking on board municipal experiences, contributions and aspirations.

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THANK YOU!

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