1. GAUTENG CLIMATE CHANGE PROVINCIAL FORUM Basani Ndindani

2. PURPOSE OF THE FORUM The purpose of the Gauteng Climate Change Forum: Create a platform for coordination between different spheres of government and various stakeholders to ensure mainstreaming of climate change considerations and the responses to climate change. The following cooperative structures and mechanisms are being utilized to ensure proper coordination on climate change issues: the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change, Intergovernmental Committee on Climate Change (IGCCC), and National Climate Change Committee. At local level, climate change issues are coordinated through the Climate Change Environmental Affairs and Sustainability Working Group supported by SALGA.

3. Purpose of Forum The Province has made various initiatives in terms of combating climate change. In 2011 the Department developed The Gauteng Climate Change Response Strategy (GCCRS), Various Provincial Departments and local authorities have strategies, plans, programmes and initiatives in place to address climate change However, at a provincial level there is no platform, through which climate change response efforts are consolidated, and where possible aligned to achieve greater results. The Department therefore saw it fit to initiate a Provincial Climate Change forum – this is also recommended by the GCCRS, to act as a platform to coordinate climate change issues and responses within the Province.

4. Purpose of the Forum The Provincial Climate Change Forum therefore seeks to address the following: Reporting to the IGCCC, National Climate Change Committee and other relevant structures; Provide a platform for all relevant departments and local authorities to share information on their various climate change-related policies and measures (including strategies, plans, programmes, legislation, systems and projects); Provide a platform for all relevant departments and local authorities to share knowledge and build capacity through sharing information on forthcoming national, regional and international climate change-related events;

5. Purpose of the Forum The Provincial Climate Change Forum therefore seeks to address the following: Monitor and report progress on the implementation of various climate change-related projects and initiatives in the province; Initiate joint projects/initiatives/campaigns that impact on, or require the active involvement of more than one department or local authority (share capacity, budgets or joint steering committee); Facilitate the implementation of all Climate Change Strategies and Plans within Gauteng and co-ordinate their reviews. Act as a reference group to ensure consistent, integrated and coherent provincial messaging for climate change-related outreach and awareness-raising activities.