1. DAFF CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE 11 – 12 August 2011

2. Background
Scientific observations indicate that South African agricultural landscapes are facing considerable impacts from climate change.
This situation has far reaching implications on livelihoods, trade, job creation and food security.
This situation is further compounded by the fact that at household level South Africa remains highly vulnerable to food security.

3. Background
South Africa is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Toward the end of this year, our government will host this year’s COP17 and CMP 7 under the auspices of the UNFCCC in Durban.
Seizing the momentum that comes with hosting such a global event, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries decided to host this Climate Change Conference to achieve specific objectives.

4. Conference Objectives
Effective participation at COP17, through soliciting inputs into DAFF’s approach to the negotiations under the UNFCCC process.
Soliciting inputs to inform the sector’s mitigation and adaptation plans.
To facilitate stakeholder discussions on climate smart agriculture.

5. AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES RELATED TO THE UNFCCC ISSUES
It was recognized that UNFCCC negotiations are complex and that there no simple answers. However, the piecemeal approach which is currently being used to tackle issues in the climate change negotiations masks the synergies that exist between many of issues under discussions.
UNFCCC negotiations on agriculture should not compromise food security. In addition, SA’s engagement in the Agriculture negotiations should seek outcomes that address both mitigation and adaptation.
Caution is necessary in the agriculture negotiations under the UNFCCC owing to direct linkages with WTO issues.

6. AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES RELATED TO THE UNFCCC ISSUES
Existing definitions of forests under UNFCCC make no distinction between natural forests and plantations. Such an approach is misleading and may ultimately undermine the objectives of the UNFCCC.
In the South African context REDD activities can contribute in improving national forest monitoring systems, data availability and credibility for use in the greenhouse gas inventory. They can also be combined with ecosystem rehabilitation initiatives which reduce land degradation and enhance ecosystem services.
There was an acknowledgement of insufficient attention to fisheries within the work of the UNFCCC. In light of this, with the view to find a platform for focused discussions on fisheries, South Africa can explore avenues within UNFCCC, especially in the scientific and technical subsidiary body, and also outside the UNFCCC.

7. MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION ISSUES
These discussions identified:
issues that should be considered before mitigation and adaptation plans are developed
general vulnerability concerns
pillars to support mitigating and adapting
elements of an enabling environment for mitigation and adaption to the effects of climate change
Key elements of the mitigation plans
Key elements of adaptation issues
Crosscutting issues between mitigation and adaptation

8. READINESS TO RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
South Africa has insufficient capacity to translate information into knowledge, for farmers/fishers to respond to climate change challenges and at local government level.
Awareness of climate change issues by ordinary people could be improved
Government should partner with the private to ensure that scope of technology development includes both commercial and small scale practises.
Uncertainties about the extent of climate change impacts make it even more difficult to quantify the levels of vulnerability of different communities.
Implementing an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries can become a useful approach to enhance the resilience of this sector.

9. READINESS TO RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
On things we could improve to be climate smart:
Indigenous Knowledge Systems need to be integrated with other sciences so as to maximize benefits from both systems.
Climate change specialists should package climate change information in a manner that could be communicated easily and clearly for different stakeholders.
Fisheries – a) building natural resilience (rebuilding fish stocks, (b) implementation of an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries, (c) stronger fisheries policy, (d) alternative (aquaculture, alternative and diversified livelihoods).
Education – University curricula need to be aligned with real life situations and be broader in scope so as to cover both commercial and small-holder practices.

10. KEY MESSAGES
The Department’s engagement in the UNFCCC should ensure food security.
Owing to climate change challenges and opportunities, the sector needs to transform the manner it carries out its activities.
There is a need to translate what is already known regarding climate change (impacts, vulnerabilities, etc) into knowledge that informs policy making.
The scope of technology development, university curricula and research should
Should include both commercial and small holder practises.
Communication of climate change issues with different stakeholders, including the general public, can be improved.