Contextualising the Waste Management Sector in the Green Economy Green Economy Summit, May 2010 Nolwazi Cobbinah

What is Green Economy? A system of economic activities related to the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services that result in improved human well-being over the long term, while not exposing future generations to significant environmental risks and ecological scarcities. [UNEP…] 2

Is Green Economy linked to other concepts? Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. 3

Is Green Economy linked to other concepts? Environmental Goods & Services (WTO) “ The environmental goods and services industry consists of activities which produce goods and services to measure, prevent, limit, minimise or correct environmental damage to water, air and soil, as well as problems related to waste, noise and eco systems. This includes cleaner technologies, products and services that reduce environmental risk and minimise pollution and resource use.” [OECD] 4

Is Green Economy linked to other concepts? Green growth: the means by which the current economy can make the transition to a sustainable economy. It involves promoting growth and development while reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, minimising waste and inefficient use of natural resources, maintaining biodiversity, and strengthening energy security. It requires further “decoupling” of environmental impacts from economic growth, and greening of consumption and production patterns, while reducing poverty and improving health and jobs prospects. Green growth means making investment in the environment a new source of economic growth.. 5

Is Green Economy a New Concept?? SA ‘environment right ‘to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well being;….environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations; ….measures that prevent pollution and ecological degradation; secure ecologically sustainable development…..promote justifiable economic & social development’ 6

Is Green Economy a New Concept?? What does it mean for waste management? How do we green the waste economy? Do we require another paradigm shift in waste management? What is green waste management? What is excluded? Green waste management businesses? Does Green economy mean we have depart from current initiatives in waste management? What change is required? 7

Waste Management challenges We generate huge volumes of waste Legacy of contaminated land In the past we have focussed on landfilling Economic growth and generation rates Access to waste collection services Urbanisation & access to services Distorted pricing of waste services Underutilisation of informal sector 8

The Waste Act and its Regulatory model The Act is aimed at: –minimizing pollution, environmental degradation and the consumption of natural resources –implementing the waste hierarchy, –balancing the need for ecologically sustainable development with economic and social development, –promoting universal and affordable waste services. The consensual and co-regulatory model –Baseline regulation through Norms and Standards, and licensing of waste management activities –Industry Waste Management Plans as consensual instruments for addressing waste hierarchy issues in specific industrial sectors –More interventionist regulatory and economic measures to address gaps and market failures 9

The Waste Management Hierarchy 10

Implementing the Waste Management Hierarchy The Building blocks for implementing the waste hierarchy include: –Norms and Standards –Categorisation and Classification –Waste Information System –Industry Waste Management Plans –Listing and Licensing of Waste Management Activities –Special Measures –Producer Responsibility –Economic Instruments –Fiscal Mechanisms 11

A Green Waste Economy???? Increased Investments – Green Investments? Who must invest ? –Which parts of the waste sector need major investment for a green economy? Capital intensive and / or labour intensive solutions? Enabling Policy Reform / environment –What does this mean for waste? Another Reform? What are the elements of green Regulatory & Policy environment? –Is the Waste Act & NWMS green enough? If not, what else do we need? 12

Thank You, Asikhulume!! 13