City to focus on positioning Cape Town as ‘green economy’ for COP17

The City of Cape Town has identified its key focus for the upcoming COP17 conference in November this year: the belief that economic development and environmental sustainability cannot operate exclusively.

The City’s economic development must, by definition, take place in the context of sustainability.

The capacity to serve as a leading green economy is a clear opportunity for economic growth in line with international standards.

“There is no zero sum game or choice between green standards and growth. Cape Town is open for business and sustainability – and neither must be an after-thought,” said the City’s Chairperson of the Economic, Environment and Spatial Planning Portfolio Committee, Councillor Garreth Bloor.

The City does, however, face significant challenges in this goal. There is a lack of energy security as a result of Eskom’s unreliable supply, which is compounded by the City’s almost complete dependence on Eskom. In addition, the high carbon content of Eskom power (96% coal power) pushes Cape Town’s carbon footprint unacceptably high – 73% of the city’s carbon footprint is derived from electricity consumption alone.

The City’s energy and Climate Action Plan includes clear objectives for, amongst others, reduced energy consumption and renewable energy supply for Cape Town.

The City has already implemented various projects in order to meet these objectives including:

·         the MyCiTi/IRT system

·         the Electricity Savings Campaign

·         the Energy Efficiency Forum for commercial buildings

·         the facilitation of the mass solar water heater roll-out

·         a ceilings retrofit programme for low-income housing. Thus far two pilot projects have been completed and funds are being secured for more extensive retrofits.

·         Cape Town is the only city that is implementing a guaranteed savings programme through the retrofit of City-owned buildings. This project is now being extended to street lights and traffic lights.

·         the new Climate Smart Cape Town campaign is already seeing results.

“The City has seen major successes in its environmental programmes but needs the help of all Capetonians to move forward. We all need to work together to make seemingly small changes now which will ensure future sustainability,” said Councillor Bloor.

Source: City of Cape Town
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