‘SA must adopt a can-do spirit’
ENVIRONMENTAL Affairs Minister Edna Molewa believes South Africa can bring about the low emissions transition in a manner in which the environment, health and development gains are protected if citizens adopt the same “can-do spirit” that secured the country’s transition to democracy.
She delivered a keynote address at the opening of the South African national Talanoa Dialogue yesterday. The Talanoa Dialogue, previously known as the 2018 Facilitative Dialogue, is the first of these key multilateral stocktaking events and discussions on the collective effort and seeks to inform the preparation or updating of Nationally Determined Contributions in 2020.
The Dialogue is premised on three overarching questions: Where are we? Where do we want to go? How do we get there?
Participants in the event include the Ministries of Energy, Water Affairs and Sanitation, Economic Development and International Relations and Co-operation.
“South Africa’s national story thus far is one of struggle for dignity, self-determination and inclusive and sustainable social and economic development. Our story teaches us that it is possible to overcome even seemingly intractable challenges through dialogue.
“The democratic dispensation we have collectively achieved through this dialogue has already delivered on a number of our political, social and economic development objectives. However, clearly more needs to be done and there are serious challenges on the road ahead,” she said.
Molewa said climate change was one of these key challenges and it posed the single biggest threat to development, with its widespread and unprecedented impacts that disproportionately burdened the poorest and most vulnerable.
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, represented a landmark achievement towards strengthening the collective multilateral approach to climate change, she said.
“South Africa, therefore, continues to actively and constructively engage in efforts to fully operationalise the Paris Agreement and to raise ambition, both at the international and national level,” said Molewa.
The public consultation was a platform for all South Africans to share their stories of climate action, covering the questions of where they are, what their aspirations are and how they intend getting there.
“We have been advised that the Talanoa concept is an inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue. The purpose is to share stories, build empathy and to make wise decisions for the collective good.
“During the process, participants build trust and advance knowledge through empathy and understanding,” she said.