The Local Government Programme for COP17

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA), together with partners namely; COGTA (Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs), Department of Environmental Affairs, eThekwini Municipality, and South African Cities Network (SACN) have formed a Local Government Partnership for COP17.

The partnership spearheads the Local Government Programme for COP17 which has a strong focus on Climate Change awareness and legacy projects in municipalities beyond the COP17. Councillor James Nxumalo is the National Convener of the Local Government Champions Committee.

The role of local government in South Africa’s Climate Change Agenda is critical because municipalities are the window for coordination of implementation in communities. The local sphere is better place to create public awareness and assist communities on how to build a better and more sustainable environment.

The UNFCCC (United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention) negotiations, of which COP 17 falls under, have recognised local governments as key governmental stakeholders in the global efforts related to climate change. The South African government has prepared a National Climate Change Response Policy with the objective of making a fair contribution to the global effort of stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations and managing potentially damaging climate change impacts through interventions that build and sustain South Africa’s social, economic and environmental resilience.

The Local Government Programme consists of:

1. Climate Change side event at SALGA National Conference
2. South African Mayors Conference on Climate Change and COP 17
3. IBSA Local Government Dialogue - linked to the IBSA Summit (16 October 2011)
4. The Durban Local Government Convention: adapting to a changing climate
5. Local Government Climate Lounge at COP17-CMP7
6. Local Government Pavilion at COP 17-CMP7

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