SA has adopted several green strategies, which has committed the country to becoming more environmentally sustainable.
Cape Town will this week play host to a major international environmental conference to help nations re-frame economic policies to focus on sustainability and to foster economic growth.
South African Minister of Environmental Affairs Nomvula Mokonyane will welcome over 500 delegates to the Partnership for Action on the Green Economy (Page) ministerial conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Thursday and Friday.
Page assists in coordinating UN action on a green economy and to assist countries in achieving and monitoring the emerging sustainable development goals.
The conference will also focus on shaping economic policies to create income and jobs, reduce poverty and inequality, and strengthen the ecological foundations of their economies.
Mokonyane said in a statement on Tuesday: “Hosting the Page conference will advance the agenda of inclusive growth, and the adoption of low carbon and climate resilient economy, domestically and on the African continent.”
South Africa will be hosting the 3rd Page ministerial Conference, following conferences in Dubai in 2014 and Berlin in 2017.
The conference will see around 500 delegates, including 17 ministers/deputy ministers of environment, finance, business, science and technology, and development.
Guy Ryder, director-general of the international labour organization, and Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of Amnesty International, are among the featured speakers.
Topics of discussion will include green finance, strategies and policies for a green economy, social and economic inclusion, and sustainable consumption and production and the circular economy.
According to the statement, SA has adopted several green economy-related strategies, which has committed the country to an environmentally sustainable and equitable transition to a low carbon economy and is employing programmes that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, green transport, sustainable housing, and climate resilient agriculture.
