Transcript Preparations for COP 17 and Climate Change

LEADERSHIP ROLE OF PARLIAMENT
IN CLIMATE CHANGE
Theme: Parliament as a champion for action
on climate change
Presented by Sisa Njikelana – Member of
Climate Change Steering Committee
13TH and 14th September 2011
BACKGROUND
• Strategic aim of the workshop
– Empower Members of Parliament
– Instill confidence building amongst MP’s
– Ensure role of Parliament on preparations
for COP 17 are on firm footing
–Launching pad for Climate Change
• Theme: “Parliament as a champion for
action on climate change”.
BACKGROUND
• From Copenhagen to Cancun to
eThekwini
• Prospects of success in COP 17
• Entrenched economic interests
• Trade vis-a-vis demise of DOHA ROUND
CONTEXT
• SA Constitution provides framework
for provision of leadership
• Vision & core functions of SA
Parliament
• Ultimate political power lies with the
people
South African National Framework for Sustainable Development:
Interdependence between People – Planet - Prosperity
National Framework for Sustainable
The vision is informed by the environmental,
Development (NFSD): Vision
social and economic and other fundamental
“South Africa aspires to be a
human rights enshrined in our Constitution, and
sustainable, economically prosperous
the global and national priorities captured in the
and self-reliant nation state that
Millennium Development Goals…and the
safeguards its democracy by meeting
government’s macro socio-economic policies. It is
the fundamental human needs of its
a projection of our nation’s aspirations of
people, by managing its limited
achieving a better quality of life for all now and
ecological resources responsibly for
in future, through equitable access to resources
current and future generations, and by
and shared prosperity. It places the nation on a
advancing efficient and effective
developmental trajectory which of necessity
integrated planning and governance
must move society towards greater efficiency and
through national, regional and global
innovation in resource use, and the integration of
collaboration “
social, economic, ecological and governance
systems. (NFSD)
The NFSD is congruent with the Vision of Parliament
“To build an effective people’s Parliament that is responsive to the needs of
the people and that is driven by the ideal of realising a better quality of life for
all the people of South Africa “
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“Strategy, risk, performance and sustainability are inseparable”
Excerpts from the King III Code
“Sustainability is the primary
moral and economic imperative
of the 21st century. It is one of
the most important sources of
both opportunities and risks for
businesses. Nature, society, and
business are interconnected in
complex ways that should be
understood by decision-makers.”
“Inclusivity of
stakeholders is essential
to achieving sustainability
and the legitimate
interests and expectations
of stakeholders must be
taken into account in
decision-making and
strategy.”
“Innovation, fairness, and
collaboration are key
aspects of any transition to
sustainability – innovation
provides new ways of doing
things, including profitable
responses to sustainability;
fairness is vital because
social injustice is
unsustainable; and
collaboration is often a
prerequisite for large scale
change.”
“Social transformation
and redress from
apartheid are important
and should be integrated
within the broader
transition to sustainability.
Integrating sustainability
and social transformation
in a strategic and coherent
manner will give rise to
greater opportunities,
efficiencies, and benefits,
for both the company and
society.”
Parliament’s Values are compatible with the above approach to sustainability:
•We subscribe to social justice, fundamental human rights and the democratic values of human dignity,
equality and freedom
•We respect all our people, honour our integrity and are committed to service delivery.
•We co-operate with other spheres of government.
•We are accountable and transparent, provide value for money, are customer-focused and strive for the
highest service quality.
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WHY SUSTAINABILITY RISK HAS BECOME A MAJOR GLOBAL ISSUE
Recent studies have shown that people are consuming more resources than can be replenished annually.
Illustratively, this is similar to using one and a third earths worth of resources annually . This is creating a
significant deficit and is expected to result in significant impacts in a few years time, such as forecast massive
water shortages in South Africa by 2015 and effects of climate change. The move towards sustainability is an
attempt at averting such crises. The diagram below shows the expected trend in resources available versus
resources required. Organisations have started to understand the effect of interdependencies and also shown
below is a diagram of how financial and manufactured capital are dependent on human and social capital which in
turn relies on natural capital.
Source: University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability
Leadership
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OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAMME
The approach is guided by four core pillars, aimed to • ensure enhanced oversight, assess and monitor
negotiations, facilitate public participation
•
promotion of campaign on climate change, promote
South Africa’s position and the African Common
Position on climate change,
•
Mobilisation- lobbying, networking and engaging
communities through Parliamentary Constituency
Offices, Sectoral Parliaments.
•
Constituency work focusing on climate change
OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAMME
•
•
TOOL KITS currently developed for MPs
Host a National Consultative Forum
•
•
A Communication Strategy (media, radio and print)
The strategy focus on build up activities
(e.g. Parliamentary committees, Sectoral Parliaments, Globe
Legislators Forum, joint initiatives and session with IPU ,
participation of Parliament in COP 17 and other related activities.)
•
Articles on climate change In Session, information
on website and DVD
WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM PARLIAMENT?
•
•
•
•
•
Ratification of international instruments
Oversight
Facilitate public participation - constituency work
Engage on international activities
Ensure Parliament integrates climate change
issues into committee programmes
• Legislation – policy framework white paper and
Climate Change legislation
ON LEADERSHIP ROLE
Internal considerations
•
•
•
•
Drive Parliament Programme!!!!!
Political management
Cooperate and coordinate with staff
Create high levels of interest among
public representatives
• Ensure SA Parliament serves as a model
ON LEADERSHIP ROLE
External considerations
•
•
•
•
Integrate with government national priorities
Building consensus and advancing unity
Promotion of African Common Position
Monitor negotiations - observe without
directly participating
• Facilitate general empowerment of citizens
STRATEGIC APPROACH
• Save Climate Change negotiations not to slide
into demise like DOHA Round
• eThekwini should NOT be the graveyard of the
Kyoto Protocol → meaning pull all stops to
mobilize all our networks locally, continentally
and globally → AGN
• Focus on second commitment on Kyoto
Protocol
• Display broadest support locally & globally
CONCLUSION
• Expectations on Parliament to provide
leadership
• Take advantage of hosting the AFRICAN
COP to mobilise on climate change &
MDG’s
• Contribute in building a national
consensus with realistic approach
• Overall oversight on negotiations in
preparation for ratification
CONCLUSION
• Opportunity
– Introduction of paradigm shift in the development
through addressing challenges on climate change
– Enhancement of role and contribution of
Parliament on climate change e.g. mandatory
national energy efficiency programme, promotion
of environmental & biodiversity, green economy
• Broaden support base to drive for optimal
outcomes in COP 17 through local & regional
legislatures, PAP, IPU, GLOBE, etc
CONCLUSION
• Promote public participation especially
Reinforcing working relations between
Parliament, organised civil society,
government and intelligentsia.
• Provision of leadership as a legislature and as
public representatives
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Parliament as a champion for action
on climate change