South Africa
Chairperson
On behalf of the South African delegation, I would like to thank the distinguished panel
members for their presentations. South Africa aligns with the G77 and China and shares
the views expressed in the statement made by Tanzania on behalf of the Africa Group.
We meet timeously to discuss the issue of sustainable consumption and production as
the world faces a multitude of crisis, including the energy, food and financial crisis as well
as the threats posed by climate change. Given the crises that we face globally, there is
a need to minimize the negative environmental impacts from production and
consumption in the society and manage our natural resource base closely.
As the global community undertook to take action to change unsustainable consumption
and production patterns during WSSD in 2002, South Africa has made significant
progress in encouraging and promoting SCP. South Africa has been active in
participating in international processes, including the Marrakech process, as well as the
African Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production. Significant progress
has been made through the development of suite of legislation on energy, waste
management, integrated water resources management and a major move towards
cleaner production has been piloted and implemented through industry and increased
consumer protection and awareness. The National Cleaner Production Center was
established to facilitate industrial development through energy, water and materials
efficiency. South Africa?s business sector has also shown significant commitment
towards sustainable consumption and production initiatives through the National
Business Initiative, a voluntary group of leading national and multi-national companies
that aims to advance development in South Africa through partnerships, practical
programmes and policy engagement.
Although South Africa has progressed well in encouraging and promoting SCP there are
a number of challenges that need to be addressed. The low cost of resources such as
water and electricity has in the past contributed to patterns of production and
consumption that are wasteful and inefficient. This has given a significant impetus to
search for safe, clean and affordable energy to meet the supply requirements. There is a
severe shortage of relevant skills needed for research and technological innovation.
Global science and technology remains key for a development agenda that promotes
technology transfer and capacity building, which are underpinned by viable financing
mechanisms. Public private partnerships will be an important means to increasing and
targeting funding and the technical training required to implement SCP related projects.
Education and awareness on energy efficiency and waste minimization need to be
enhanced to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. Furthermore,
Chair there is a need for stimulation of existing initiatives and the choice of appropriate
instrument such as voluntary, regulatory or fiscal to enhance sustainable consumption
and production patterns. Stronger policy alignment is required to maximize the use of
funds, capacity and tools towards SCP implementation.
In conclusion Chair, South Africa would like to join the call by other member states in
moving towards consumption and production patterns that promotes sustainable
development.
I thank you all for your attention.
On behalf of the South African delegation, I would like to thank the distinguished panel
members for their presentations. South Africa aligns with the G77 and China and shares
the views expressed in the statement made by Tanzania on behalf of the Africa Group.
We meet timeously to discuss the issue of sustainable consumption and production as
the world faces a multitude of crisis, including the energy, food and financial crisis as well
as the threats posed by climate change. Given the crises that we face globally, there is
a need to minimize the negative environmental impacts from production and
consumption in the society and manage our natural resource base closely.
As the global community undertook to take action to change unsustainable consumption
and production patterns during WSSD in 2002, South Africa has made significant
progress in encouraging and promoting SCP. South Africa has been active in
participating in international processes, including the Marrakech process, as well as the
African Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production. Significant progress
has been made through the development of suite of legislation on energy, waste
management, integrated water resources management and a major move towards
cleaner production has been piloted and implemented through industry and increased
consumer protection and awareness. The National Cleaner Production Center was
established to facilitate industrial development through energy, water and materials
efficiency. South Africa?s business sector has also shown significant commitment
towards sustainable consumption and production initiatives through the National
Business Initiative, a voluntary group of leading national and multi-national companies
that aims to advance development in South Africa through partnerships, practical
programmes and policy engagement.
Although South Africa has progressed well in encouraging and promoting SCP there are
a number of challenges that need to be addressed. The low cost of resources such as
water and electricity has in the past contributed to patterns of production and
consumption that are wasteful and inefficient. This has given a significant impetus to
search for safe, clean and affordable energy to meet the supply requirements. There is a
severe shortage of relevant skills needed for research and technological innovation.
Global science and technology remains key for a development agenda that promotes
technology transfer and capacity building, which are underpinned by viable financing
mechanisms. Public private partnerships will be an important means to increasing and
targeting funding and the technical training required to implement SCP related projects.
Education and awareness on energy efficiency and waste minimization need to be
enhanced to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. Furthermore,
Chair there is a need for stimulation of existing initiatives and the choice of appropriate
instrument such as voluntary, regulatory or fiscal to enhance sustainable consumption
and production patterns. Stronger policy alignment is required to maximize the use of
funds, capacity and tools towards SCP implementation.
In conclusion Chair, South Africa would like to join the call by other member states in
moving towards consumption and production patterns that promotes sustainable
development.
I thank you all for your attention.
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