1 LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVES ON THE SA COP21 NEGOTIATION POSITION PUBLIC HEARINGS ON CLIMATE CHANGE CONVENED BY THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS SEPTEMBER 2015

Objective of the presentation: 1.To reflect on the mandate and role of local government 2.To share the Organised Local Government perspective on the SA Position 3.Local government roadmap for COP21 2

The national Climate Change Response White Paper recognises local government as an important actor to achieve climate change objectives. Section identifies the key constitutional mandates of local government that are critical in developing our national climate response: Planning and urban development Municipal infrastructure and services Water, energy and waste demand management Local disaster response 1. The local government climate response mandate

Key municipal functions that support climate change response efforts include: Land-use planning & management Water and sanitation services Municipal health services Refuse removal, refuse dumps and solid waste disposal Municipal parks and recreation Air pollution Fire-fighting and disaster management Municipal roads and Storm water management systems Environmental management functions carried out in terms of NEMA (including Coastal Management Act, Environmental Conservation Act, Protected Areas Act & Biodiversity Act) Electricity/energy (renewable energy and energy efficiency) 4

Municipalities have important control and influence over: Building codes Land use planning Urban parks and conservation Water Electricity supply Waste mngt Transport Air quality mngt Other relevant policy areas Municipalities have an obligation to manage resources as efficiently as possible in the interests of their citizens - not responding will cost more Critical actions to reduce climate change and greenhouse gas emissions can best be undertaken locally Climate change is a global issue however the impacts of changing weather patterns will be felt locally and municipalities need to ensure that they can adapt to projected changes

2. LG perspective on SA Negotiating position South Africa’s national position in the Paris negotiations is informed on the following principles: –To ensure that environmental and developmental imperatives are balanced; –To ensure that global emission reduction efforts are adequate to avert dangerous climate change while respecting developing countries’ priorities for development and eradicating poverty –That in accordance to the principle of common but differentiated responsibility, and respective capability, and equity – developed countries have an obligation to provide sufficient means of implementation to support both adaptation and mitigation efforts by developing countries. –That adaptation and mitigation must receive equal priority, in accordance with South Africa’s national policy framework and the National Development Plan; and further that adaptation is recognised as a global priority. –South Africa subscribes to a multilateral rules based regime. Summary of SA position: SA seeks:- –A legally binding agreement; with legal parity/ a balanced approach to mitigation & adaptation; –Enhanced ambition for mitigation to ensure that the world stays below 2 o Celsius increase in temperature –Enhanced finance, technology transfer and capacity building mechanism with added emphasis on adaptation support for developing countries 6

2. LG perspective on SA Negotiating position SALGA, on behalf of member municipalities supports the SA position – with the provision that the position must be more reflective of subnational (local government) and non-state actors position The South African negotiating position is largely in keeping with the desired outcomes that will be beneficial to local government in South Africa. However, SALGA has observed that the position does not place even greater emphasis on climate change adaptation and loss and damage; which are critical considerations for municipalities and their vulnerabilities. Municipalities face the most significant risk to infrastructure, particularly those that will experience higher incidence of flooding. Socio-economic disparities in many urban (peri-urban) and rural contexts also pose greater risks for municipalities. 7

2. LG perspective on SA Negotiating position Local Government contribution to the negotiators mandate: –Balanced attention and merit of initiatives to both mitigation and adaptation efforts –Setting of country-specific mitigation targets (i.e. intended nationally determined contributions) that are reflective of local government capabilities & contributions –Increased financial contributions of developed countries to financing mechanism – with added emphasis on accessibility of such facilities to sub-national and non-state actors –Adequate technology transfer mechanisms for developing countries, with financing also extended to supporting research; concept/proposal development and meeting reporting requirements –A legally binding agreement for all parties – with enhanced means of implementation; and with consideration of the current legislative vacuum and fiscal deficits in the country, particularly for local government Overall, DEA should more clearly articulate and emphasise the role of cities and sub- national (non-state actors). –The position is silent on local government as a critical implementation lever 8

3. Roadmap of engagement in the build up to COP21 Mayoral Pre- COP21 Conference hosted by Executive Mayor of Tshwane 4 September 2015 SALGA Provincial Members Assemblies 17 September – 12 November 2015 Consolidating OLG Position National local government climate change Technical Workshop (Durban, 15 October 2015) ICLEI LOCS – October 2015 AfriCities Convention November COP21/CMP11 ICLEI Local government pavilion

Concluding remarks Although local government has a representative on the negotiations team; SALGA and its members are concerned with limited engagement of both the designated official and the broader local government community; specifically in the mandating platforms. SALGA is appreciative of the opportunity and platform afforded by the INDC consultations roadshow in the provinces and is in the process of preparing a written submission of comments on the INDC discussion document; however, the consultations only involved local government in a cursory manner and SALGA appeals for more targeted and thorough engagement in future. Local government partners, including SALGA; ICLEI and the SA Cities Network represent the diversity and complexities of local climate change responses; and offer an avenue for a consolidated approach to taking on board municipal experiences, contributions and aspirations. 10

THANK YOU! 11