Mayors call for rapid and radical change to deal with climate issues

2011/02/28

The Local Climate Solutions for Africa 2011 Congress kicked off this morning with high-level speakers discussing the need for more accelerated and radical action to deal with climate change issues on the African continent.


ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability coordinated this congress in partnership with the City of Cape Town, the main objectives being to provide real solutions for African cities using useful tools, technical workshops and international experts showcasing best practice examples. Dignitaries at the opening plenary included the Mayor of Cape Town, Dan Plato; Mayor of Harare, Muchadeyi Masunda; Mayor of Saint-Louis, Cheikh Mamadou Abiboulaye Dieye; Mayor of Durban, Obed Mlaba and the Ambassador of the European Union, Roeland van de Geer .


ICLEI Secretary General Konrad Otto-Zimmermann opened the Congress by recognising the role of local governments and noting that our planet is experiencing an “urban revolution”. Since cities are expected to house two thirds of the world’s population by 2030, he explained that “ICLEI works to grow its membership with the sole purpose of creating an organisation through which cities can work together to create global change”.


Van de Geer echoed this, saying “cities are vital players in the fight against climate change, and they have the potential to unlock low-carbon strategies”.
Masunda suggested that “linking climate to development strategies in planning their implementation” would begin the process of change at the local level. In anticipation of the UNFCCC COP17 (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties 17) coming up in Durban this year, Mlaba said “We approach COP17 with a renewed sense of hope from the COP16 climate change talks in Cancun, Mexico, in 2010”.  


SA Cities Network Executive Director said: “What came out of the session that I attended this morning was that there is a need for leadership that is strategic and does not fumble around.” Mayors agreed that local governments must work in closer cooperation with business and development-aid agencies to facilitate rapid and innovative action.


The day’s closing plenary discussed the role of local governments in international climate negotiations in the light of COP17 being held on the African continent in December.

 

At the Congress Dinner, the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi spoke about the role of women in the fight against climate change, saying “we are happy to see the involvement of women in the implementation of climate change adaptation at the local and national government level, and we hope to see more involvement in the future.”

Mabudafhasi commended the role of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability in bringing together local governments on issues around sustainability. “Cities play a vital role in driving the implementation of UN agreements at local level,” she said. The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction launched their Making Cities Resilient: My city is getting ready” campaign in Africa. This campaign is the official 2010-2011 World Disaster Reduction Campaign, and already has more than 140 cities globally signed up to it. The aim of the campaign is to increase the resilience of cities to the effects of climate change, which are expected to include more extreme floods, droughts and natural disasters.


Executive Director of Greenpeace International, Dr Kumi Naidoo, closed the evening dinner saying: “We extend a hand of friendship to the local government community. This struggle is far too big for one sector of society to tackle alone, we must all work together to solve climate change,” he said.  

 

Greenpeace International Executive Director, Dr Kumi Naidoo, addresses the delegation during the Climate Roadmap Plenary.