Transcript CLIMATE CHANGE

DAFF CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE
11 – 12 August 2011
Background
 Scientific observations indicate that South African agricultural
landscapes are facing considerable impacts from climate change.
 This situation has far reaching implications on livelihoods, trade, job
creation and food security.
 This situation is further compounded by the fact that at household level
South Africa remains highly vulnerable to food security.
2
Background
 South Africa is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
 Toward the end of this year, our government will host this year’s COP17
and CMP 7 under the auspices of the UNFCCC in Durban.
 Seizing the momentum that comes with hosting such a global event, the
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries decided to host this
Climate Change Conference to achieve specific objectives.
3
Conference Objectives
 Effective participation at COP17, through soliciting inputs into DAFF’s
approach to the negotiations under the UNFCCC process.
 Soliciting inputs to inform the sector’s mitigation and adaptation plans.
 To facilitate stakeholder discussions on climate smart agriculture.
4
AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES RELATED TO THE
UNFCCC ISSUES
 It was recognized that UNFCCC negotiations are complex and that there no
simple answers. However, the piecemeal approach which is currently being used
to tackle issues in the climate change negotiations masks the synergies that exist
between many of issues under discussions.
 UNFCCC negotiations on agriculture should not compromise food security. In
addition, SA’s engagement in the Agriculture negotiations should seek outcomes
that address both mitigation and adaptation.
 Caution is necessary in the agriculture negotiations under the UNFCCC owing
to direct linkages with WTO issues.
5
AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES RELATED TO THE
UNFCCC ISSUES
 Existing definitions of forests under UNFCCC make no distinction between
natural forests and plantations. Such an approach is misleading and may
ultimately undermine the objectives of the UNFCCC.
In the South African context REDD activities can contribute in improving
national forest monitoring systems, data availability and credibility for use in the
greenhouse gas inventory. They can also be combined with ecosystem
rehabilitation initiatives which reduce land degradation and enhance ecosystem
services.
 There was an acknowledgement of insufficient attention to fisheries within the
work of the UNFCCC. In light of this, with the view to find a platform for focused
discussions on fisheries, South Africa can explore avenues within UNFCCC,
especially in the scientific and technical subsidiary body, and also outside the
UNFCCC.
6
MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION ISSUES
 These discussions identified:
 issues that should be considered before mitigation and adaptation plans are
developed
 general vulnerability concerns
 pillars to support mitigating and adapting
 elements of an enabling environment for mitigation and adaption to the effects
of climate change
 Key elements of the mitigation plans
 Key elements of adaptation issues
 Crosscutting issues between mitigation and adaptation
7
READINESS TO RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGES
AND OPPORTUNITIES
 South Africa has insufficient capacity to translate information into knowledge,
for farmers/fishers to respond to climate change challenges and at local
government level.
 Awareness of climate change issues by ordinary people could be improved
Government should partner with the private to ensure that scope of
technology development includes both commercial and small scale practises.
 Uncertainties about the extent of climate change impacts make it even more
difficult to quantify the levels of vulnerability of different communities.
 Implementing an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries can become a useful
approach to enhance the resilience of this sector.
8
READINESS TO RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGES
AND OPPORTUNITIES
 On things we could improve to be climate smart:
 Indigenous Knowledge Systems need to be integrated with other sciences so as
to maximize benefits from both systems.
 Climate change specialists should package climate change information in a
manner that could be communicated easily and clearly for different stakeholders.
 Fisheries – a) building natural resilience (rebuilding fish stocks, (b)
implementation of an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries, (c) stronger fisheries
policy, (d) alternative (aquaculture, alternative and diversified livelihoods).
 Education – University curricula need to be aligned with real life situations and
be broader in scope so as to cover both commercial and small-holder practices.
9
KEY MESSAGES
 The Department’s engagement in the UNFCCC should ensure food security.
Owing to climate change challenges and opportunities, the sector needs to
transform the manner it carries out its activities.
 There is a need to translate what is already known regarding climate change
(impacts, vulnerabilities, etc) into knowledge that informs policy making.
The scope of technology development, university curricula and research should
Should include both commercial and small holder practises.
 Communication of climate change issues with different stakeholders, including
the general public, can be improved.
10