International TEEB Launch in Africa coordinated by ICLEI Africa

2010/09/13

The African leg of the international launch of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) D2 Report for Local and Regional Policymakers, coordinated by ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability – Africa, took place last week from 8-10 September in Cape Town, South Africa.

The event was hosted by the South African Ministry for Water and Environmental Affairs, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)-TEEB, South African National Parks (SANParks), the South African National Institute for Biodiversity (SANBI) and the City of Cape Town. Delegates included mayors and high level dignitaries from several African countries, including Uganda, Cameroon, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal and Malawi. Six of the nine metros in South Africa, as represented by the South African Cities Network, took part in the event, including the eThekwini Municipality (Durban), Buffalo City (East London), Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth), Sedibeng Municipality, City of Cape Town and Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

The international launch of TEEB D2 took place simultaneously in four cities around the world: Ghent, Belgium; Curitiba, Brazil; New Delhi, India and the African launch in Cape Town, South Africa.

The African event took place as a two day symposium, with the official launch of TEEB D2 being held in the South African Parliament. The Parliamentary launch was hosted by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee for Water and the Environment, Mr. JJ Skhosana. The Norwegian Ambassador, Tor Christian Hildan, spoke at the launch on behalf of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), a key sponsor of the TEEB study. Dr. Augustin Berghöfer, Scientific Coordinator of the TEEB D2 Report and Ms. Kobie Brand, ICLEI Africa’s Regional Director and ICLEI’s Global Biodiversity Coordinator, also addressed the audience at Parliament. The official launch was chaired by Director General of the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Ms Nosipho Ngcaba.

The importance of local governments in the management of global biodiversity as well as the important role played by ICLEI for global local governments was highlighted by Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Mr. Skhosana. The Norwegian Ambassador also took the opportunity to congratulate ICLEI – Local Governments of Sustainability on the important part that ICLEI is playing to bring local governments to the forefront of counteracting biodiversity loss on an international scale.

The symposium focused on how ecosystem services could support local policy and featured many of the continent’s renowned experts in the fields of climate change, water, planning, biodiversity and social development. Delegates and speakers discussed practical examples, as well as economic tools and mechanisms.

The two day event kicked off with a reception dinner hosted by ICLEI Africa, featuring key note speakers: the Executive Mayor of Durban, Honourable Mayor Obed Mlaba, and SANBI’s climate change expert, Dr. Guy Midgley. A full day workshop (TEEB Indaba) and the official launch in parliament took place on Thursday 9 September, followed by a gala dinner at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in celebration of the African launch the ICLEI – Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) Guidebook: Biodiversity Management for Local Governments.

The second day was hosted by the City of Cape Town and delegates were taken on a site visit to the False Bay Ecology Park, and to lunch at the Tokai Manor House. During the plenary session SANParks and the City of Cape Town addressed some the challenges they experience being one of only four cities in the world with a national park within the city boundaries. The event ended with a visit to the official launch of City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Showcase Garden at the Green Point Soccer Stadium.

African cities represented at the launch include: Moshi Municipal Council, Tanzania; Municipality of Nioro du Rip, Senegal; Lusaka City Council, Zimbabwe; Bulawayo City Council, Zimbabwe; Municipality of Saint-Louis, Senegal; Douala IV Urban Council, Cameroon; Fongo-Tongo, Cameroon; Walvis Bay, Namibia; Abuja, Nigeria; Lilongwe City Assembly, Malawi; Kasese District Government, Uganda; and the following from South Africa: Bergrivier Municipality, Tlokwe City Council, Motheo District Municipality, Sedibeng District Municipality, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Eden District Municipality and the City of Matlosana.