Date:19/10/2005
Source: Department of Minerals and Energy
Title: Hendricks: Launch of Designated National Authority for Clean Development Mechanism
Speech by Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mrs Lindiwe Hendricks at the launch of South Africa’s Designated National Authority (DNA) for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
His Excellency Ambassador of the Royal Danish Government, Mr Torben Brylle
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Members of South Africa’s Designated National
Authority Steering Committee
Distinguished Guests
Programme Director,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. Introduction
It is a pleasure for me to be here this evening to launch South Africa’s Designated National Authority (DNA) for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). This event is very important for our country and is part of our efforts to address the challenges of reducing emissions and climate change.
We have chosen to launch our Designated National Authority during the National Conference on Climate Change, to further highlight the relationship between the two issues, as there is a no doubt about the impact emissions are having on the environment and changes to weather patterns. A clear message has emerged from the conference so far – climate change impacts are real and are being quantified as I speak. The time for reflection on the causes of this scourge has come and gone. Decisive, collective and prompt action is what is needed from us right now. As South Africans, we have overcome monumental hurdles in our fight for democracy. Let us use that passion and commitment to protect this planet for our descendants.
This conference is an important platform for a range of stakeholders - including government, business leaders, environmentalists, and lobby groups, who are deliberating on the climate change and the challenges facing us as a country, as a region and as a continent. I trust that the outcome of this conference will be a coherent and practical action plan to step up our efforts in combating climate change. The use of the Clean Development Mechanism as part of the Kyoto Protocol is, for us, an important response to the challenges of climate change, and if used effectively can make an impact.
Ladies and gentlemen, climate change is a reality, and action needs to be taken by all players in our society. Recent tragic events – the earthquake in Kashmir, the hurricanes in the America’s, the devastation caused by the Tsunami last year are poignant, and force us to confront the causes of climate change. These tragic events often mask the severity of what is taking place with the extreme weather patterns in Southern Africa where the shortage of rainfall and increased temperatures have significantly impacted on an already drought prone region, and are threatening the livelihoods of millions of people.
As has been discussed at this and previous conferences the future scenarios of melting ice caps, rise in sea levels and further extreme weather conditions require us to take action. No country or continent will be immune to the impact of climate change and all of us must take action to mitigate the impact.
Sadly, while some notable responses have been implemented there are compelling arguments for us to also focus on adaptation, simply because the rate at which global warming increases far exceeds the impact of our current collective efforts to combat or reduce the causes of climate change. We have seen at this conference that the affect on our biodiversity is significant and regions most affected by prolonged drought cycles will be more vulnerable in the coming years. We run the risk that our grandchildren and great-grandchildren may not be able to enjoy the visual splendour of the fynbos of the Western Cape or the daisies of Namaqualand. This is a heritage that must be preserved. We owe this to our children – this world is after all theirs, with us merely the custodians.
2. Kyoto Protocol and Clean Development Mechanism
Ladies and gentlemen, one of the most important responses to addressing climate change is the Kyoto Protocol. As most of you are aware this protocol came about to increase our collective efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases, which are in part responsible for global warming and climate change. South Africa has supported the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol and acceded to it in March 2002. With the Protocol being entered into force earlier this year, we look forward to the first meeting of parties to the protocol taking place in Montreal in November of this year.
To appreciate the impact of what we are launching today and the benefits the Kyoto Protocol can bring, not only to the environment but also to the economies of developing countries such as South Africa, we need to look at the financing mechanisms of the Protocol. The most relevant mechanism for us is the Clean Development Mechanism or CDM. The objective of the CDM is to combat climate change and promote sustainable development, while assisting developing countries to meet their sustainable development objectives.
Under the CDM, developed countries that have not met their emissions reduction targets as part of their compliance to the Kyoto Protocol, can ‘carbon trade’ by purchasing certified emission reductions from countries that have exceeded their emission reduction targets, and they can invest in CDM projects, which in short are projects that lessen greenhouse gases and support sustainable development in developing countries; Southsouthnorth’s Kuyasa project is one such CDM project, which I will talk more about shortly. The logic of carbon trading is based on the premise that a reduction (or increase) in emissions of greenhouse gases in one country will have an impact on all countries.
3. Designated National Authority
Programme director, the Kyoto Protocol requires developing countries who which to participate in CDM, to establish an agency known as the Designated National Authority. This agency’s role is to regulate and promote CDM activities as well as promote the host country to attract investors and projects. Part of the functions of the agency will also include screening CDM projects according to sustainable development criteria already developed, and ensuring efficient regulation of CDM activities. The criteria focus on economic, social and environmental aspects of projects.
The launch today of South Africa’s Designated National Authority or DNA, which is being hosted by my department, the Department of Minerals and Energy, clearly indicates the important role that South Africa attributes to the Kyoto Protocol and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
The Department of Minerals and Energy is the secretariat for the DNA and we are supported by a Steering Committee, which includes other national government departments – Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industry, Water Affairs and Forestry, and the Department of Health. As government, we are taking collective responsibility for promoting sustainable development in the country.
The DNA has been running as a pilot for several months prior to this launch. This has enabled the DNA office to establish itself, and become successful in executing its functions and mandate. To date the DNA office has received a number of project proposals for review from the private sector. These projects, if implemented, will reduce South Africa’s CO2 emissions by 21 million tones by the year 2012 and generate an estimated revenue of R618 million from the sale of certified emissions.
Already one of the projects, the Kuyasa Low-Cost Housing Project in Khayelitsha, has been registered as the first South African CDM project. It is also the first CDM project in the whole of Africa. It has also received the Gold Standard for Excellence from the CDM Executive Board, a further accomplishment that we are extremely proud of. We expect some of the other project applications to be successful and registered as official CDM projects in the very near future.
4. National Initiatives
Ladies and Gentlemen, those of you who have attended the conference would be able to see how the DNA forms part of the broader South African government strategy to address both climate and energy issues.
With regard to energy, our Energy Efficiency Strategy sets out a national target of 12% improvement in energy efficiency across the board by the year 2014, which will contribute towards a reduction in carbon emissions. The White Paper on Renewable Energy (2003) also proposed an inclusion of 10 000 Gigawatt hours of renewable energy in South Africa’s energy mix for the next decade. The national Climate Change Response Strategy launched in October 2004 provides a framework for action by different stakeholders, including government departments.
These strategies are amongst a host of other good initiatives by government, private sector, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that will see us utilising alternative energy sources and need to be acknowledged. And despite the concerns posed by some environmentalists we also need to keenly look at nuclear energy as a way forward to reducing carbon emissions and meeting the needs of a growing economy.
5. International Issues
Before concluding it is important to recognise South Africa’s contribution to global fora on issues of climate change and reduction of emissions. For example, we are a member of a Sequestration Leadership Forum, which looks into the technologies that might lead to applications to reduce emissions. South Africa is also a signatory to other international accords and conventions directly or indirectly related to climate change; and as a country we will continue to support international and regional efforts aimed at the attainment of sustainable development objectives.
There is still a lot of work to be done if we are to overcome challenges posed by global warming and climate change, and we will continue to make South Africa a leading developing country in addressing these challenges.
6. Conclusion
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who contributed to the establishment of the DNA. Here I acknowledge the Danish Government, represented today by Ambassador Torben Brylle, for their invaluable assistance in setting up the DNA office and for the commitment of his government to developing and promoting CDM activities in the country. I would also like to thank the Canadian Government and the World Bank for their support of the DNA’s work and assistance to other programmes. These partnerships are valuable and have resulted in other countries exploring opportunities with us. We will be formalising these relationships with a Memorandum of Understanding.
I would also like to thank the pioneers in the use of the Clean Development Mechanism - the Kuyasa Low-Cost Housing Project and Southsouthnorth. By having a successful project they will set high standards for future projects.
The challenge going forward is to ensure that more projects are developed, and that such projects, while meeting the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol, also benefit the people of South Africa by promoting local economic development, technology transfer, job creation, and poverty reduction.
Finally, Programme Director, Ladies and Gentlemen, I now declare the South Africa’s DNA as an official entity responsible for regulation and promotion of CDM activities in South Africa. We are open for business and look forward to full use being made of the DNA office to develop and promote CDM activities in the country.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
19 October 2005
Source: Department of Minerals and Energy
Title: Hendricks: Launch of Designated National Authority for Clean Development Mechanism
Speech by Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mrs Lindiwe Hendricks at the launch of South Africa’s Designated National Authority (DNA) for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
His Excellency Ambassador of the Royal Danish Government, Mr Torben Brylle
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Members of South Africa’s Designated National
Authority Steering Committee
Distinguished Guests
Programme Director,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. Introduction
It is a pleasure for me to be here this evening to launch South Africa’s Designated National Authority (DNA) for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). This event is very important for our country and is part of our efforts to address the challenges of reducing emissions and climate change.
We have chosen to launch our Designated National Authority during the National Conference on Climate Change, to further highlight the relationship between the two issues, as there is a no doubt about the impact emissions are having on the environment and changes to weather patterns. A clear message has emerged from the conference so far – climate change impacts are real and are being quantified as I speak. The time for reflection on the causes of this scourge has come and gone. Decisive, collective and prompt action is what is needed from us right now. As South Africans, we have overcome monumental hurdles in our fight for democracy. Let us use that passion and commitment to protect this planet for our descendants.
This conference is an important platform for a range of stakeholders - including government, business leaders, environmentalists, and lobby groups, who are deliberating on the climate change and the challenges facing us as a country, as a region and as a continent. I trust that the outcome of this conference will be a coherent and practical action plan to step up our efforts in combating climate change. The use of the Clean Development Mechanism as part of the Kyoto Protocol is, for us, an important response to the challenges of climate change, and if used effectively can make an impact.
Ladies and gentlemen, climate change is a reality, and action needs to be taken by all players in our society. Recent tragic events – the earthquake in Kashmir, the hurricanes in the America’s, the devastation caused by the Tsunami last year are poignant, and force us to confront the causes of climate change. These tragic events often mask the severity of what is taking place with the extreme weather patterns in Southern Africa where the shortage of rainfall and increased temperatures have significantly impacted on an already drought prone region, and are threatening the livelihoods of millions of people.
As has been discussed at this and previous conferences the future scenarios of melting ice caps, rise in sea levels and further extreme weather conditions require us to take action. No country or continent will be immune to the impact of climate change and all of us must take action to mitigate the impact.
Sadly, while some notable responses have been implemented there are compelling arguments for us to also focus on adaptation, simply because the rate at which global warming increases far exceeds the impact of our current collective efforts to combat or reduce the causes of climate change. We have seen at this conference that the affect on our biodiversity is significant and regions most affected by prolonged drought cycles will be more vulnerable in the coming years. We run the risk that our grandchildren and great-grandchildren may not be able to enjoy the visual splendour of the fynbos of the Western Cape or the daisies of Namaqualand. This is a heritage that must be preserved. We owe this to our children – this world is after all theirs, with us merely the custodians.
2. Kyoto Protocol and Clean Development Mechanism
Ladies and gentlemen, one of the most important responses to addressing climate change is the Kyoto Protocol. As most of you are aware this protocol came about to increase our collective efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases, which are in part responsible for global warming and climate change. South Africa has supported the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol and acceded to it in March 2002. With the Protocol being entered into force earlier this year, we look forward to the first meeting of parties to the protocol taking place in Montreal in November of this year.
To appreciate the impact of what we are launching today and the benefits the Kyoto Protocol can bring, not only to the environment but also to the economies of developing countries such as South Africa, we need to look at the financing mechanisms of the Protocol. The most relevant mechanism for us is the Clean Development Mechanism or CDM. The objective of the CDM is to combat climate change and promote sustainable development, while assisting developing countries to meet their sustainable development objectives.
Under the CDM, developed countries that have not met their emissions reduction targets as part of their compliance to the Kyoto Protocol, can ‘carbon trade’ by purchasing certified emission reductions from countries that have exceeded their emission reduction targets, and they can invest in CDM projects, which in short are projects that lessen greenhouse gases and support sustainable development in developing countries; Southsouthnorth’s Kuyasa project is one such CDM project, which I will talk more about shortly. The logic of carbon trading is based on the premise that a reduction (or increase) in emissions of greenhouse gases in one country will have an impact on all countries.
3. Designated National Authority
Programme director, the Kyoto Protocol requires developing countries who which to participate in CDM, to establish an agency known as the Designated National Authority. This agency’s role is to regulate and promote CDM activities as well as promote the host country to attract investors and projects. Part of the functions of the agency will also include screening CDM projects according to sustainable development criteria already developed, and ensuring efficient regulation of CDM activities. The criteria focus on economic, social and environmental aspects of projects.
The launch today of South Africa’s Designated National Authority or DNA, which is being hosted by my department, the Department of Minerals and Energy, clearly indicates the important role that South Africa attributes to the Kyoto Protocol and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
The Department of Minerals and Energy is the secretariat for the DNA and we are supported by a Steering Committee, which includes other national government departments – Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industry, Water Affairs and Forestry, and the Department of Health. As government, we are taking collective responsibility for promoting sustainable development in the country.
The DNA has been running as a pilot for several months prior to this launch. This has enabled the DNA office to establish itself, and become successful in executing its functions and mandate. To date the DNA office has received a number of project proposals for review from the private sector. These projects, if implemented, will reduce South Africa’s CO2 emissions by 21 million tones by the year 2012 and generate an estimated revenue of R618 million from the sale of certified emissions.
Already one of the projects, the Kuyasa Low-Cost Housing Project in Khayelitsha, has been registered as the first South African CDM project. It is also the first CDM project in the whole of Africa. It has also received the Gold Standard for Excellence from the CDM Executive Board, a further accomplishment that we are extremely proud of. We expect some of the other project applications to be successful and registered as official CDM projects in the very near future.
4. National Initiatives
Ladies and Gentlemen, those of you who have attended the conference would be able to see how the DNA forms part of the broader South African government strategy to address both climate and energy issues.
With regard to energy, our Energy Efficiency Strategy sets out a national target of 12% improvement in energy efficiency across the board by the year 2014, which will contribute towards a reduction in carbon emissions. The White Paper on Renewable Energy (2003) also proposed an inclusion of 10 000 Gigawatt hours of renewable energy in South Africa’s energy mix for the next decade. The national Climate Change Response Strategy launched in October 2004 provides a framework for action by different stakeholders, including government departments.
These strategies are amongst a host of other good initiatives by government, private sector, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that will see us utilising alternative energy sources and need to be acknowledged. And despite the concerns posed by some environmentalists we also need to keenly look at nuclear energy as a way forward to reducing carbon emissions and meeting the needs of a growing economy.
5. International Issues
Before concluding it is important to recognise South Africa’s contribution to global fora on issues of climate change and reduction of emissions. For example, we are a member of a Sequestration Leadership Forum, which looks into the technologies that might lead to applications to reduce emissions. South Africa is also a signatory to other international accords and conventions directly or indirectly related to climate change; and as a country we will continue to support international and regional efforts aimed at the attainment of sustainable development objectives.
There is still a lot of work to be done if we are to overcome challenges posed by global warming and climate change, and we will continue to make South Africa a leading developing country in addressing these challenges.
6. Conclusion
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who contributed to the establishment of the DNA. Here I acknowledge the Danish Government, represented today by Ambassador Torben Brylle, for their invaluable assistance in setting up the DNA office and for the commitment of his government to developing and promoting CDM activities in the country. I would also like to thank the Canadian Government and the World Bank for their support of the DNA’s work and assistance to other programmes. These partnerships are valuable and have resulted in other countries exploring opportunities with us. We will be formalising these relationships with a Memorandum of Understanding.
I would also like to thank the pioneers in the use of the Clean Development Mechanism - the Kuyasa Low-Cost Housing Project and Southsouthnorth. By having a successful project they will set high standards for future projects.
The challenge going forward is to ensure that more projects are developed, and that such projects, while meeting the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol, also benefit the people of South Africa by promoting local economic development, technology transfer, job creation, and poverty reduction.
Finally, Programme Director, Ladies and Gentlemen, I now declare the South Africa’s DNA as an official entity responsible for regulation and promotion of CDM activities in South Africa. We are open for business and look forward to full use being made of the DNA office to develop and promote CDM activities in the country.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
19 October 2005
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