Comments on National Climate Change Response White Paper

Critical Issues Lack of ambition considering the urgency of the climate crisis –Decline of GHG emissions in absolute terms by 2035 is inadequate Lack of long-term Post-Carbon vision –Disconnected, unrealistic strategies and policies

The need for long-term vision Informed by : –Climate change –Resource depletion –Declining oil production –Rising energy costs –Global economic instability Vision Toward social, economic and ecological resilience Policies and strategies of various bodies become more appropriate and realistic, and are more synergistic with one another Work toward common vision that builds and maintains local resilience

Water Relocalize supply Rainwater harvesting Greywater processing and utilization –Reduces stress on municipal supply from dams –Eliminate cost of transporting large quantities of water over great distances –Reduced maintenance cost –Provision in areas that are otherwise difficult to service The options of groundwater and desalinisation (as mentioned in 5.2.5) should be explored only as an absolute last resort due to environmental impact and energy intensity respectively. Need to reconsider chosen path for IRP Climate change will exacerbate water scarcity in an already stressed country. Low-carbon scenario would render the country far more climate resilient

Agriculture and Food Security Current methods are very destructive, and water-, energy-, and emissions- intensive –Chemical inputs –Monoculture; lack of diversity –Centralized; long transport distances –Not very labor intensive Need for regenerative/rehabilitating practices eg Permaculture –Greater, diversified yields –Zero chemical input –Reduced water demand –Soil and ecosystem rehabilitation – improve biodiversity and ecosystem services (incl carbon sequestration) –More labor-intensive Localize supply, distribution and consumption –Fresh, organic, and nutrient-rich = healthier population

Education Include strategy for establishing educational institutions as eco-centers –Implementing various environmentally conscious practices such as: recycling, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, renewable energy generation, permaculture food gardening etc –Provide demonstration and training opportunities for surrounding communities –Greater potential to inspire necessary behavioral change Review educational curricula –Which at present does not sufficiently equip learners with necessary knowledge and skills to deal with current global challenges

Energy Issue of Energy absent from Adaptation and Mitigation chapters of WP Energy generation in SA a significant contributor to overall GHG emissions Need to reconsider chosen IRP path as 16% renewable energy target is inadequate Localize supply in order to utilize resources more efficiently, reduce environmental impact and improve service to isolated areas. Cost of energy from fossil fuels is rising, leaving the country and its economy vulnerable. Energy descent is both necessary and inevitable. Why are we not aiming higher when by % of worlds energy could be generated from renewable sources?

Economy Post-carbon vision calls for a relocalization of resources and services, strengthening the resilience of the local economy –Reskilling the population –Vast employment opportunities in building local resilience –Provides greater job security

Conclusion Let us be more ambitious about reducing GHG emissions and our negative environmental impact Appropriate long-term vision is a necessity – informed by challenges of climate change, resource depletion, declining oil production, rising energy costs, and global economic instability Post-Carbon vision of socially, economically, and ecologically resilient South Africa