The Mercury

Turning page on green economy

Platform aimed at finding ways to bring sustainabi­lity into focus

- DOMINIC ADRIAANSE dominic.adriaanse@inl.co.za

SOUTH Africa’s vision of transition­ing towards a green economy has been embraced at the highest political level, said Environmen­tal Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane.

She gave the key address at the opening of the third Partnershi­p for Action on the Green Economy (Page) Ministeria­l Conference at the Cape Town Internatio­nal Convention Centre.

A moment of silence was observed for Mokonyane’s predecesso­r, Edna Molewa, who died in September aged 61.

Mokonyane said the two-day conference, which ended on Friday, focused on advancing inclusivit­y and sustainabi­lity economies in robust discussion that addressed practical solutions and reversing the inequaliti­es of the past. “This platform supports countries and regions to put sustainabi­lity at the heart of economic policies and practices to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainabl­e Developmen­t.

“This is an important conference given that it follows the conclusion of the internatio­nal climate change talks in Poland, where the Paris Agreement work programme was adopted, setting out the rules of implementa­tion.”

Mokonyane said the natural capital dialogue at the conference should contribute to the formulatio­n of the post 2020 Agenda for Nature.

Page was launched in 2013 as a response to the call at the UN Conference on Sustainabl­e Developmen­t (Rio+20) to support countries wishing to embark on greener and more inclusive growth trajectori­es.

About 500 delegates, including 17 ministers or deputy ministers of environmen­t, finance, business, science and technology and developmen­t participat­ed in robust discussion­s on tools and strategies for shaping greener economies.

Internatio­nal Labour Organisati­on director-general Guy Ryder said the organisati­on was proud to celebrate the start of its centenary year with the Page conference.

“Page responds to very important and pressing internatio­nal ambitions that we all share. “It provides processes and interventi­ons to tackle three dimensions of sustainabi­lity.

“Page makes it possible for us to say we can sustain decent jobs, sustain improved living standards, while at the same time protecting the planet,” he said.

Finland’s Minister of Environmen­t, Kimmo Tiilikaine­n, said the conference was successful in bringing together the different expertise in sustainabl­e developmen­t.

“In Finland, we have noted that a small percentage of our plastics was ending up in our landfills, while over 90% of our plastics and aluminium is being recycled.

“We need the world government­s to show leadership and engagement of green and inclusive economic policies and methods. Page is a great example of successful partnershi­p between the northern and southern hemisphere­s,” he said.

 ?? COURTNEY AFRICA African News Agency (ANA) ?? THE Minister for Environmen­tal Affairs, Nomvula Mokonyane, gets a closer look at the BMW “Green Cab” during the Partnershi­p for Action on the Green Economy (Page) exhibition at the Cape Town Internatio­nal Convention Centre. |
COURTNEY AFRICA African News Agency (ANA) THE Minister for Environmen­tal Affairs, Nomvula Mokonyane, gets a closer look at the BMW “Green Cab” during the Partnershi­p for Action on the Green Economy (Page) exhibition at the Cape Town Internatio­nal Convention Centre. |

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