South Africa
South Africa’s Statement to the Second Preparatory Meeting of the United
Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) – RIO 20
Green Economy in the context of Sustainable Development and Poverty
Eradication
07 March 2011
New York
Thank you Co-Chair
South Africa associates fully with the statement made by Argentina on behalf of the
Group of 77 and China. Furthermore, the South African delegation appreciates with
gratitude the synthesis report put together by the Secretariat as a good basis for our
deliberations today.
Co-Chair,
Allow me to remind delegations that Rio 20 will also mark the tenth anniversary of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) which produced the Johannesburg
Plan of Implementation (JPOI), a clear course of action towards implementation of
Agenda 21. In this regard, we remain committed to sustainable development with
poverty eradication as its ove rriding objective.
Co-Chair, as the world has been facing serious economic crisis since 2008, the South
African Government, Civil society and business developed a framework to respond to
the crisis. In that response, we recognized the opportunities in ind ustries that combat
negative impacts to the environment and natural resource base and believed that we
should develop strong capacity in clean technologies and industries in order to ensure
sustained growth. This move requires significant support and lesson sharing. South
Africa has adopted a resource efficient, low carbon and pro-employment approach as
one of the key drivers of our economic growth path; we see this as a fundamental
principle of a green economy
For South Africa, poverty eradication remains the overriding objective of sustainable
development. Discussions towards Rio 2012 should first and foremost take into
consideration principle 2 of the Rio Declaration which states that countries have the
sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and
development policies. There should be no one-size fit all prescriptive models to
countries, developed and developing alike. Countries should be allowed to make
decisions on their growth path in light of the current crises without fear of being
discriminated against.
Mr Co-Chair, we would strongly advise against any form of protectionism or
conditionalities and standards under the guise of a green economy which might
generate unjustified restriction in the areas of trade, financing and official development
assistance. In fact, the green economy approach must be pro-development and
enhance job creation while ensuring protection of environmental resources and natural
assets
Finally, Co-Chair, the potential areas for support to realise resource efficient and low
carbon growth that is pro-employment include the areas of science, innovation and
technology, strengthening of institutional capabilities and capacities as well as
promotion of partnerships in developing countries.
1. What specific investments should a government prioritize as part of a green
economy strategy?
Mr Co-chair,
With your permission we would like to address question one. We are of the view that
many sectors could be prioritized as part of a green economy strategy. Green buildings
and the built environment provide opportunities for initiating public/private partnerships.
Efficient public transport infrastructure, particularly bus rapid transit (BRT) systems,
would have positive benefits for both the environment, economic and social pillars of
sustainable development. Similarly, investments in renewable energy, for example wind
and solar energy sources, would contribute to a transition to a green and sustainable
future. Resource conservation and management have the potential to be generators of
green jobs, as does sustainable waste management practices, water management and
sustainable agriculture.
Check against delivery
Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) – RIO 20
Green Economy in the context of Sustainable Development and Poverty
Eradication
07 March 2011
New York
Thank you Co-Chair
South Africa associates fully with the statement made by Argentina on behalf of the
Group of 77 and China. Furthermore, the South African delegation appreciates with
gratitude the synthesis report put together by the Secretariat as a good basis for our
deliberations today.
Co-Chair,
Allow me to remind delegations that Rio 20 will also mark the tenth anniversary of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) which produced the Johannesburg
Plan of Implementation (JPOI), a clear course of action towards implementation of
Agenda 21. In this regard, we remain committed to sustainable development with
poverty eradication as its ove rriding objective.
Co-Chair, as the world has been facing serious economic crisis since 2008, the South
African Government, Civil society and business developed a framework to respond to
the crisis. In that response, we recognized the opportunities in ind ustries that combat
negative impacts to the environment and natural resource base and believed that we
should develop strong capacity in clean technologies and industries in order to ensure
sustained growth. This move requires significant support and lesson sharing. South
Africa has adopted a resource efficient, low carbon and pro-employment approach as
one of the key drivers of our economic growth path; we see this as a fundamental
principle of a green economy
For South Africa, poverty eradication remains the overriding objective of sustainable
development. Discussions towards Rio 2012 should first and foremost take into
consideration principle 2 of the Rio Declaration which states that countries have the
sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and
development policies. There should be no one-size fit all prescriptive models to
countries, developed and developing alike. Countries should be allowed to make
decisions on their growth path in light of the current crises without fear of being
discriminated against.
Mr Co-Chair, we would strongly advise against any form of protectionism or
conditionalities and standards under the guise of a green economy which might
generate unjustified restriction in the areas of trade, financing and official development
assistance. In fact, the green economy approach must be pro-development and
enhance job creation while ensuring protection of environmental resources and natural
assets
Finally, Co-Chair, the potential areas for support to realise resource efficient and low
carbon growth that is pro-employment include the areas of science, innovation and
technology, strengthening of institutional capabilities and capacities as well as
promotion of partnerships in developing countries.
1. What specific investments should a government prioritize as part of a green
economy strategy?
Mr Co-chair,
With your permission we would like to address question one. We are of the view that
many sectors could be prioritized as part of a green economy strategy. Green buildings
and the built environment provide opportunities for initiating public/private partnerships.
Efficient public transport infrastructure, particularly bus rapid transit (BRT) systems,
would have positive benefits for both the environment, economic and social pillars of
sustainable development. Similarly, investments in renewable energy, for example wind
and solar energy sources, would contribute to a transition to a green and sustainable
future. Resource conservation and management have the potential to be generators of
green jobs, as does sustainable waste management practices, water management and
sustainable agriculture.
Check against delivery
Stakeholders