The Roodepoort Theatre was filled with environmental activists, media and politicians alike on Thursday, 3 June for the launch of the City of Joburg’s Climate Action Plan (CAP).
CoJ’s Executive Mayor, Geoff Makhubo, was joined by the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Mpho Moerane, for the virtual launch that was streamed globally. The stream began with beautiful acoustic music, spoken word and interpretive dance, violins, and a moving rendition of the South African national anthem.
Politicians that make up part of the C40 initiative internationally shared their messages of support, including the Mayor of Accra in Ghana, Mohammed Adjei Sowah (C40 Vice Chair) and the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti (C40 Chairperson).
The launch of this plan marks yet another milestone in South African climate change initiatives. CoJ was the first city in South Africa to join C40, and in 2014 even hosted the C40 Mayors Summit, the first of its kind on African soil. Makhubo said that over the years, CoJ has showed ‘remarkable leadership in climate action’ and even won the Finance and Economic Development Award at the C40 Cities Awards in 2015 for its Green Bonds initiative.
Makhubo said the goal of the CAP is to ensure that the Johannesburg of the future will be carbon-neutral and resilient to the devastating impacts of climate change by 2050. He continued to say that the City aims to achieve their CAP goals in small but important steps with target deadlines of 2025, 2030, 2040 and 2050.
He continued to say that the City’s CAP intends to fulfil the goals of the Paris Agreement – an agreement in which nearly 200 countries have banded together to limit the average global temperature increase to 1,5°C. If no action is taken, by 2050 harmful emissions will be more than double where they are now, and the average temperature could increase by more than 3°C.
Representing the Youth of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), who are also a part of the City’s CAP, Celiwe Shivambu said, “The students are elated to have contributed to drafting the plan and in ensuring that the voice of the youth is heard”.
“The City recognises climate action as a social-justice imperative that is inextricably linked to the challenges of eradicating poverty and enhancing inclusivity, and this CAP is a big step towards mobilising climate action across the City,” concluded the Mayor.
