Defining Green Economy

Transcription

1 Green Economy: Environment Sector Perspective Presentation to Biodiversity: Powering the Green Economy Conference 18 October 2011 Defining Green Economy Operationalising A system of economic activities resulting in improved human wellbeing, while not exposing future generations to significant environmental risks or ecological scarcities Decoupling of resource use and environmental impacts from economic growth It is characterized by substantially increased investment in green sectors, supported by enabling policy rems

2 Spotted!!! National Green Economy Landscape

3 MTSF : What do we need to do differently For longer-term growth, implementation of the IPAP to support broadbased industrialization including more advanced manufacturing, & encouraging cleaner, lowerenergy technologies and green jobs To pursue & explore further the concept of Green Jobs including scaling up labour intensive natural resources management practices that contribute to decent work and livelihood opportunities. What do we need to differently? Framework to the international economic crisis, 2009: development of incentives investment in programmes geared at creating large number of 'green jobs', i.e. employment in industries and facilities that are designed to mitigate impacts to the environment and natural systems and the protection thereof Outcome 4 Decent employment through inclusive economic growth Outcome 10 Environmental assets and natural resources that are well protected and continually enhanced New Growth Path Green Economy as one of the key economic growth drivers

4 Key Drivers of a Green Economy Paradigm Substantial growth in investment necessary to achieve climate change mitigation & adaptation (with or without an int. binding agreement in the UNFCCC negotiations) Increasing recognition that clean technology development offers significant business opportunities & gains A growing need to develop / elaborate the economic case environmental management and sustainable development Key Drivers of a Green Economy Paradigm Realization that Functioning ecosystems underpin all economic and social activity Ecosystem failure will seriously compromise our ability to address social and economic priorities even in a short term Natural resources are national economic assets SA economy depends heavily on energy and mineral resources, biodiversity, agriculture, estry, fishing and tourism Key Question: How do we reconcile faster growth with sustainable management of our natural resources? President Zuma, 18 May 2010, Green Economy Summit

5 Green Economy Opportunities/Steps Biodiversity In parts of the country habitat loss is slowing due to: stock removal programmes, conversion from stock to game farming, removal of incentives vegetation clearing Working Water Programme s budget increased significantly important programme with regard to poverty alleviation Several contractual parks were established. SA played leading role in the establishment of transfrontier conservation areas Spatial Biodiversity Assessments National Payment Ecosystem Services KEY FOCUS AREAS (1) Resource conservation and management (2) waste management practices (3) Water management (4) Environmental Sustainability (5) Green buildings and the built environment (6) transport and infrastructure (7) Clean energy and energy efficiency (8) Agriculture, food production and estry (9) cons mption and Key focus areas and related programmes RELATED PROGRAMMES National payments ecosystem services Up-scale Working programmes Infrastructure resilience and ecosystems Carbon Offset programme Wildlife management Waste beneficiation Zero waste community programme Water harvesting Alternative technology effluent management Comprehensive municipal water metering (Demand side) Reduce water losses in agriculture, municipalities and mining Greening and legacy (WSSD, 2010 SWC, COP17 etc.) Research, awareness, training, skills development and knowledge management Greening private and public buildings Promoting non-motorised transport Expand off-grid options in rural and urban REFIT optimisation large scale renewable and localisation Up-scale Solar Water Heater rollout Integrated sustainable agricultural production system Industry specific production methods ENABLING KNOWLEDGE PLATFORMS Local Government Green Built Environment toolkit Spatial Planning Frameworks

6 Strategic Partnerships so far UNEP & Millenniu m Institute Modeling DFI s (DBSA, IDC etc) WEF Green Growth Partnerships Initiative SA Low carbon & Resource Efficient Growth Path World Bank Green Cities Programm e Sectoral Interventio ns DEA, DTI, EDD, DOE National implement ation Jobs & Green Fund Bringing it All Together New Growth Path National Green Economy Strategy (Low Carbon, resource efficient growth path) Environment Sector Contribution to a green economy Major Event Greening Priority programmes (Resource protection & enhancement project based) Means of Implementation (Strategic Partnerships & Finance Mechanism)

7 Overall enablers of implementation Regulatory framework Market based instruments Innovation, science and technology Investment, finance opportunities and financing instruments Greater localisation and manufacturing Availability of skills Institutional capabilities and capacity Partnerships Towards a resource efficient, low carbon and pro-employment growth path Protected & Enhanced Natural Capital - an integral part of such growth