Response To Climate Change. By Kerina Singh and Cherise Harris

Transcription

1 Response To Climate Change By Kerina Singh and Cherise Harris

2 CLIMATE & AIR QUALITY OF PIETERMARITZBURG Msunduzi s Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) states that Msunduzi's weather and climate are influenced by its topography. The higher lying areas of the Msunduzi are cooler and receive more rainfall than other parts of the city. Average annual temperature varies between 16.3oC and 17.9oC. Msunduzi falls within a summer rainfall area, characterised by dry winters and wet summers, with thunderstorms being common in summer. Average rainfall varies between 748mm and 1017mm per annum2.

3 VULNERABLE SECTORS WHICH HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON 1. Impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems and sensitive natural environments 2. Changes and impacts to water resources particularly water availability, quality and quantity 3. Impacts on food provision and agricultural sustainability 4. Impacts on human health due to temperature extremes and prevalence / occurrence of vector borne diseases 5. Impacts on storm water infrastructure and other infrastructure located in areas of flood potential 6. Waste management 7. Increased energy utilisation and impacts on electricity infrastructure 8. Impacts on the transportation sector and infrastructure

4 INCEPTION The Msunduzi Strategic Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) identifies the need for a Climate Change Policy Table 4.6: Action Plan To Mainstream Climate Change Into Municipal Functions B6: Mainstream Climate Change Into Municipal Functions STRATEGIC OUTCOMES Reduce Msunduzi s Carbon footprint and adapt to climate change Strategic Objectives To plan for and facilitate a shift from the use of non-renewable of nonrenewable to renewable resources. To accentuate the importance of our finite natural resources that energy production consumption may have on the environment. ISSUES ADDRESSED Risk of climate change and potential impacts to service delivery Responsible Organisation/s Msunduzi Development Services- Environmental Management Branch Tasks Timing Potential Partners Estimated Cost CARBON FOOT PRINT DISCLOSURE (CDP) Short term & On-going In- house Mainstream Climate Change into EIA (Mitigation & Adaptation) Long term & On-going ethekwini Metro In-house MIDI Climate Change Awareness (Education), i.e. Presentation Short term & On-going In-house City of Cape Town Carbon Disclosure Project Identify businesses / companies / sectors emitting high levels of GHG s Long term & On-going (CDP) In-house and ensure that measures are implemented to ensure this is reduced UKZN CSIR Msunduzi Municipality Climate Change Policy Medium term Wildlands Conservation In-house Develop Municipal Adaptation Plans (MAPs) to address climate change risks Total Long term & Ongoing In-house To be determined Key Performance Indicator Climate Change is mainstreamed into Msunduzi Planning/Functions and strategies are in place to mitigate and adapt to climate change Target To achieve at least 80% of targets set out in the action plan.

5 GOAL 1 BIODIVERSITY & ECOSYSTEMS Increase greening programmes in and around the city Indigenous Environmental Landscaping included in EMPrs for all developments Areas of environmental significance are identified, protected and zoned accordingly Incorporate offset areas for conservation into all development planning Environmental Education programmes for communities and Municipal Staff are implemented Remove alien invasive plants from municipal and privately owned land Adopt measures for the proper management of areas with high grazing potential to avoid overgrazing

6 GOAL 2- WATER Improve and impose stringent conditions on stormwater retention and Stormwater Management Plans in the city Predict and develop an estimate of the potential future demand for potable water in Msunduzi The upgrading of infrastructure, planning and zoning must incorporate extreme precipitation events into their forecasting and development Improve and continuously monitor the water quality of the Msunduzi Catchment Assess, identify and map areas that are prone to flooding Increase the buffer area between watercourses and developments Implement a water use efficiency programme for all water users Evaluate and update Disaster Management Plan Conserve all riparian areas and increase permeable surfaces in urban areas

7 GOAL 3- HEALTH & AIR QUALITY Education programmes dealing with climate change related health issues Develop heat wave emergency protocols for extreme temperatures Plant more trees in and around the city Improvement of air quality in Msunduzi through the implementation of an Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) Air quality monitoring to take place on a regular basis Water quality testing to be done on a regular basis Forestation and the development of larger scale carbon sinks must be investigated and implemented

8 GOAL 4 - ENERGY Energy efficiency education programmes to be implemented for communities and businesses Implement rebates and financial incentives for electricity users who switch wholly or partially to renewable energy Retrofit all municipal-owned buildings with energy saving and renewable energy technologies All new developments to incorporate green building design and renewable energy technology Develop an air quality constraints model using the existing traffic model Ensure compliance with all SANS Regulations and National Building Regulations

9 GOAL 5 WASTE MANAGEMENT Expand recycling programmes to include all producers of waste Develop and implement Materials Recovery Facilities at landfill sites Develop composting facilities at Garden Refuse Sites and appropriate locations Enforce the Polluter Pays Principle contained in NEMA via the training and designation of Environmental Management Inspectors Enforce Msunduzi s Waste Management By-Laws Extend basic service delivery (refuse collection) to Vulindlela and other areas not currently being serviced Explore landfill gas-to-energy initiatives Develop a protocol for illegal dumping instances in sensitive areas

10 GOAL 6 INFRASTRUCTURE Improve storm drainage and stormwater infrastructure design Develop a Stormwater Management Policy and by-laws with Climate Change provisions Impose stringent conditions on Stormwater Management Plans No domestic waste is to enter storm water systems Conserve riparian areas, wetlands and flood plains and keep these areas pristine

11 GOAL 7 - AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY Educate subsistence and commercial farmers on sustainable farming practices Educate and encourage community food gardens Identify and reserve land with high agricultural potential for farming purposes only Rehabilitate municipal-owned land with high agricultural potential Classify areas of high grazing potential and thereafter, identify methods of preserving such land for current and future use

12 GOAL 8 AWARENESS & RESEARCH Establish a Council on Climate Change (IDP review for 2013/ ) Develop a climate change programme targeted at Eco-Clubs within schools Develop a climate change education campaign aimed at vulnerable communities Undertake a detailed vulnerability assessment of the Msunduzi area

13 GOAL 9 - GOVERNANCE Ensure that environmental policy and legislation is highlighted within all municipal projects Develop Municipal Adaptation Plans through a discussion forum consisting of municipal representatives Undertake a Sustainability Appraisal and review of all Municipal Plans, Policies and Programs

14 CHALLENGES Lack of response from Interested and Affected Parties Lack for response / input from municipal officials Lack of substantial climate change data specific to Pietermaritzburg (costs) WHAT HELPED US... Durban s Municipal Climate Protection Program. (2010/2011). Climate Change Adaption Planning for A Resilient City. UMgungundlovu District Municipality developed a comprehensive Climate Change Risk Assessment study which assisted in the policy development Msunduzi Municipality: Integrated Development Plan / Msunduzi Strategic Environmental Management Plan. Prepared on behalf of KZN DAEA, National DAEA and Msunduzi Municipality.

15 BENEFITS OF CDP REPORTING Identified business units / sectors within the municipality which needed to adapt to climate change issues i.e. Electricity, Storm Water Management etc. Identified areas/sectors which we needed to implement strategies and policies i.e. more stringent Environmental Management Bylaws, Offset Policy, Storm Water Management Bylaws, Integrated Waste Management Plan etc. Identified specific actions to be included in the Climate Change Policy and the Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation Strategy

16 Msunduzi Municipality Environment Management Unit P O Box 31 Pietermaritzburg 3200 South Africa Tel: Kerina.Singh@msunduzi.gov.za / Cherise.Harris@msunduzi.gov.za Website: