Godwell Nhamo

Green economy readiness in South Africa: A focus on the national sphere of government

Abstract Readiness! This is a concept interchanged with preparedness and, many assume, adequate knowledge. Simple as it may be, readiness denotes a complex interaction of parameters and conditionalities required for an uptake of a phenomenon – in the context of this article, green economy transition. Following deliberations to and from Rio + 20, there is no doubt the world is set to undertake green economy as a means to attaining sustainable development, poverty eradication, job creation and equity evermore. At the heart of the green economy is the need to address negative impacts associated with one of the key global challenges of our epoch, climate change. The question this article seeks to address is: To what extent is South Africa green economy ready? Focusing on the national sphere of government, the article concludes that this country has moved swiftly in addressing key readiness parameters, including high-level commitment and stakeholder buy-in, enhancing institutional set-up, developing the necessary legislation, establishing funding mechanisms and having programmes running on the ground. However, more work is still needed in areas such as continued domestication of the understanding on green economy, addressing weak individual and institutional capacity, increasing funding, proliferation of policies, matching national to global interests on green economy, and the role of higher (including further) education.

Climate Change: Double Edged Sword for African Trade and Development.

Abstract African governments face increasing pressure from major export destinations, primarily former colonial and slave-owning countries, to be climate change compliant. This will certainly be on display at the upcoming December 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, which will seek to strengthen climate change rules agreed on in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, and adopt new protocols on global climate change regulation. Climate change is a double-edged sword: on one side it is hitting Africas agricultural sector with increased droughts, floods, extreme frost and wildfires; and on the other, African governments are being forced to respond to stringent regulatory regimes imposed by international export destinations. Currently, the per capita greenhouse gas emissions from the highly industrialised nations – the North – is estimated to be four times that of Africa and the rest of the developing world. Twin research questions were investigated in this article: (1) to what extent does climate change impact on African trade and development, and (2) how can African governments stay on a path of sustained trade and development in this era of climate change? The article argues that Africas survival in these times of climate change compliance rests on a shift to greater intra-African trade, as individual nations move towards cleaner and more organic technologies to become full-fledged partners in the international climate change regulatory regime.

REDD and the global climate policy negotiating regimes: Challenges and opportunities for Africa

Prior to developments in Copenhagen in 2009 and Cancun in 2010, global climate policy negotiations seldom culminated in concrete decisions concerning ways in which Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) could be linked to sustainable development and carbon markets in developing countries, such as those in some parts of Africa.That changed with the expansion of the REDD initiative, to REDD+. Key arguments in the discussions have concerned contested methodologies for measuring, reporting and verifying carbon stocks; ensuring adequate technology transfer; and rectifying the shortage of local experts to deal with REDD+. However, there has been no contestation on the fact that REDD+ creates financial value for carbon stored in forests, an aspect that would encourage developing countries to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation of forested lands and to invest in low-carbon growth paths. This article sheds light on how REDD+ has developed in global climate negotiations and how African governments have and should engage with REDD+. The conclusion is that since the Bali Action Plan of 2007, there has been significant progress in creating enabling global architecture with regard to REDD+, and African governments should now grasp the opportunities offered by REDD+ while advocating for a fair, legally binding and ethical arrangement to engage over the forests which are so key to many of their economies.

Addressing women in climate change policies: A focus on selected east and southern African countries

abstract This Article responds to claims in the literature that gender mainstreaming is lacking in international and national climate change policy regimes. A scan of climate change policies from selected east and southern African countries was conducted to assess whether climate change policies include gender and women. The focus on women is deliberate given womens greater vulnerability to climate change impacts than men. The research analysis used a framework modified from the United Nations Environment Programmes (2011) recommendations on womens needs in climate change. The main finding is that although the national policies reviewed are in their infancy, with the oldest, the National Policy on Climate Change for Namibia having been put in place only in 2010, the mainstreaming of womens needs in climate change has gained momentum. However, the empowerment of women by climate change policy varies significantly from country to country.

Access to Weather Forecasting and Early Warning Information by Communal Farmers in Seke and Murewa Districts, Zimbabwe

Abstract In the context of current climate variability and the projected climate change there is need to strengthen the resilience of communities particularly those whose livelihoods are highly sensitive to change. Climate change is likely to result in increased frequency and intensity of weather and climate extremes. The first objective of the present research was to analyze how communal farmers in Seke and Murewa districts of Zimbabwe accessed weather forecasting and early warning information. The second objective was to assess how access to such information influenced their farming decisions. The data was collected in 2011, using a general survey of 300 communal farmers and interviewing key informants. The findings show that the two districts are and will be more vulnerable to dry spells, droughts and to some extent, violent storms. There was a general lack of access to timely, reliable rainfall forecasts and early warning information on droughts and violent storms. For those that had access to the information, the main channels that transmitted the information were the radio, extension, the television, and the farmers enquiring directly. The radio was the most important channel. Besides, the information being perceived as not very reliable, it played a significant role in the decision-making process of farmers, particularly, when deciding the time to plant and choosing crop varieties. A serious constraint for the farmers was lack of complementary information, inputs and technology that could be used to adjust their farming operations, in line with the forecasts.

Effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment follow-up as a tool for environmental management: lessons and insights from platinum mines along the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe

The concept of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) follow-up has received considerable attention in recent years. However, a number of EIA practitioners have pointed out that there is lack of EIA follow-up evidence on the effectiveness of implemented mitigation measures in practice. This study examined EIA follow-up evidence of implemented mitigation measures and their effectiveness in protecting the environment from platinum mining and processing plants operating along the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe. Using data from environmental impact statements; environmental management plans, environment monitoring reports; and views of environmental managers and selected local residents, and field observations, the study examined the utility of EIA follow-up as a tool for enhancing the effectiveness of implemented mitigation measures. The results show that EIA follow-ups are carried out with emphasis being given to procedures. The adverse impacts of sulphur dioxide; dust and noise on local residents’ health around the platinum smeltering plant put into question the sustainability of current mitigation measures. The paper overall argues that a lot more needs to be done to bridge the gap between the current state of EIA follow-up in Zimbabwe and international best practices regarding the substantive dimension of EIA effectiveness. Using results from the study, the paper highlights the limitations of the current approach to follow-up conceptualization and suggests ways to strengthen the overall effectiveness of EIA.

From sustainable development through green growth to sustainable development plus

Abstract From sustainable development (SD) through green growth to sustainable development plus (SD+)! Does the ‘+’ really matter? This is the question that brings life to this article and the answer is: YES, it does. The ‘+’ makes a huge difference especially for developing countries such as those from Africa that for a long time have not been fully brought on board in shaping global discourses and the preferred future global development agenda. This article argues that the time has come for globally privileged countries of the North to realise that operationalising ‘The Future We Want’ after Rio+20 demands that developing countries be accorded unpolluted space to contribute to providing answers to difficult and elusive questions on the unsustainable ways of the past development paradigms. Among such questions are: When will the issue of resource intensive development and overconsumption be finally answered? Can green growth transition be part of the solution? How will a post 2015 framework best address the needs of developing countries? The conclusion is that SD+ signals a deeper, wider and knowledge-based understanding of global (un) sustainable perspectives that result in global citizens understanding The Future We Do Not Want.

Reflections on the Green Growth Index for developing countries: A focus of selected African countries

The GGKP (Green Growth Knowledge Platform) (2013) provides a useful overview as to why indicators are inevitable for green growth to inform policy agenda. From the GGKPs perspective, indicators: Are needed to focus attention and provide benchmarks against which to measure the adequacy of policy responses. … For demand-based measures (such as carbon dioxide intensity of consumption), policy implications are further complicated by a host of factors at play, including issues related to international trade and transport and the interaction between trade and environmental policies. Many of these caveats can be overcome by reporting and interpreting indicators in the appropriate context, along with taking into account country-specific ecological, geographical, social, economic, structural, and institutional features (GGKP, 2013: 34-35). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Information and communication technology and climate change adaptation: Evidence from selected mining companies in South Africa

The mining sector is a significant contributor to the gross domestic product of many global economies. Given the increasing trends in climate-induced disasters and the growing desire to find lasting solutions, information and communication technology (ICT) has been introduced into the climate change adaptation mix. Climate change-induced extreme weather events such as flooding, drought, excessive fog, and cyclones have compounded the environmental challenges faced by the mining sector. This article presents the adoption of ICT innovation as part of the adaptation strategies towards reducing the mining sector’s vulnerability and exposure to climate change disaster risks. Document analysis and systematic literature review were adopted as the methodology. Findings from the study reflect how ICT intervention orchestrated changes in communication patterns which are tailored towards the reduction in climate change vulnerability and exposure. The research concludes with a proposition that ICT intervention must be part of the bigger and ongoing climate change adaptation agenda in the mining sector.

Copenhagen 18/12: Africa must continue calling for a fair, ambitious and binding climate deal

The date, 18 December 2009, left the world perturbed, as global leaders failed to reach consensus on a legally binding climate deal in Copenhagen. Since Bali 2007, much work had been done on preparing for a fair, ambitious and legally binding climate deal. Accordingly, the non-binding Copenhagen (political) Accord was concluded paving the way for further talks in Mexico in 2010. However, the African continent maintained that it had received a raw deal. This paper presents the African Group’s climate position and analyses the implications of the Copenhagen Accord for the continent. The paper also presents a way forward for Mexico and beyond. The conclusion urges African governments to hold onto the gains of Copenhagen 2009 and to continue pushing for a fair, ambitious and legally binding climate deal.