With global warming a growing concern, going green is more important than ever, and South Africa shows that it cares about lowering its carbon footprint by hosting the 2019 Partnership for Green Economy Ministeral Conference (PAGE) at the Cape Town Convention Centre on 10-11 January.
PAGE is a platform that encourages countries and regions to place sustainability at the core of their economic policies and practices. South Africa joined the global program in 2015 after recognising that there was a need to increase the country’s green efforts and support climate action.
Minister of Environmental Affairs Nomvula Mokoyane explains the impact of hosting this international conference for South Africa.
“[It] will advance the agenda of inclusive growth, and the adoption of a low carbon and climate resilient economy, domestically and on the African continent,” she says.
PAGE … supports countries in their missions to achieve greener, more inclusive societies by helping them to achieve their sustainability goals.
It aims to address ways to change economic policies to ensure that there is an increase in job opportunities and generate income.
This is the third PAGE conference, under the theme ‘Advancing Inclusive and Sustainable Economies’.
With over 500 delegates attending the conference, difference departments from finances, business to science and technology will be working together to establish tools to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Among some the speakers are Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of Amnesty International, and Guy Ryder, Director General of the International Labour Organisation.
According to the Department of Environmental Affairs, the country has adopted several green economy-related strategies that are in line with the National Development Plan vision of 2030.
Currently, programmes based on renewable energy, energy efficiency, green transport, sustainable housing, and climate-resilient agriculture are in the works.
The United Nations Partership for Green Economy (PAGE) 2019 Ministerial Conference is about to open at the CTICC. pic.twitter.com/95XdMWc9Ln
— WCGov Enviro Affairs (@WCGovEADP) January 10, 2019
Picture: Unsplash
