Parliament as a Champion for Climate Change Action

1. LEADERSHIP ROLE OF PARLIAMENT IN CLIMATE CHANGETheme: Parliament as a champion for action on climate change Presented by Sisa Njikelana – Member of Climate Change Steering Committee 13TH and 14th September 2011

2. BACKGROUND • Strategic aim of the workshop • Empower Members of Parliament • Instill confidence building amongst MP’s • Ensure role of Parliament on preparations for COP 17 are on firm footing • Launching pad for Climate Change • Theme: “Parliament as a champion for action on climate change”.

3. BACKGROUND From Copenhagen to Cancun to eThekwini Prospects of success in COP 17 Entrenched economic interests Trade vis-a-vis demise of DOHA ROUND

4. CONTEXT • SA Constitution provides framework for provision of leadership • Vision & core functions of SA Parliament • Ultimate political power lies with the people

5. South African National Framework for Sustainable Development: Interdependence between People – Planet - Prosperity National Framework for Sustainable Development (NFSD): Vision “South Africa aspires to be a sustainable, economically prosperous and self-reliant nation state that safeguards its democracy by meeting the fundamental human needs of its people, by managing its limited ecological resources responsibly for current and future generations, and by advancing efficient and effective integrated planning and governance through national, regional and global collaboration “ The vision is informed by the environmental, social and economic and other fundamental human rights enshrined in our Constitution, and the global and national priorities captured in the Millennium Development Goals…and the government’s macro socio-economic policies. It is a projection of our nation’s aspirations of achieving a better quality of life for all now and in future, through equitable access to resources and shared prosperity. It places the nation on a developmental trajectory which of necessity must move society towards greater efficiency and innovation in resource use, and the integration of social, economic, ecological and governance systems. (NFSD) The NFSD is congruent with the Vision of Parliament “To build an effective people’s Parliament that is responsive to the needs of the people and that is driven by the ideal of realising a better quality of life for all the people of South Africa “

6. “Strategy, risk, performance and sustainability are inseparable” Excerpts from the King III Code “Sustainabilityis the primary moral and economic imperative of the 21st century. It is one of the most important sources of both opportunities and risks for businesses. Nature, society, and business are interconnected in complex ways that should be understood by decision-makers.” “Inclusivity of stakeholders is essential to achieving sustainability and the legitimate interests and expectations of stakeholders must be taken into account in decision-making and strategy.” “Innovation, fairness, and collaboration are key aspects of any transition to sustainability – innovation provides new ways of doing things, including profitable responses to sustainability; fairness is vital because social injustice is unsustainable; and collaboration is often a prerequisite for large scale change.” “Social transformation and redress from apartheid are important and should be integrated within the broader transition to sustainability. Integrating sustainability and social transformation in a strategic and coherent manner will give rise to greater opportunities, efficiencies, and benefits, for both the company and society.” • Parliament’s Values are compatible with the above approach to sustainability: • We subscribe to social justice, fundamental human rights and the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom • We respect all our people, honour our integrity and are committed to service delivery. • We co-operate with other spheres of government. • We are accountable and transparent, provide value for money, are customer-focused and strive for the highest service quality.

7. WHY SUSTAINABILITY RISK HAS BECOME A MAJOR GLOBAL ISSUE Recent studies have shown that people are consuming more resources than can be replenished annually. Illustratively, this is similar to using one and a third earths worth of resources annually . This is creating a significant deficit and is expected to result in significant impacts in a few years time, such as forecast massive water shortages in South Africa by 2015 and effects of climate change. The move towards sustainability is an attempt at averting such crises. The diagram below shows the expected trend in resources available versus resources required. Organisations have started to understand the effect of interdependencies and also shown below is a diagram of how financial and manufactured capital are dependent on human and social capital which in turn relies on natural capital. Source: University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership

8. OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAMME The approach is guided by four core pillars, aimed to - • ensure enhanced oversight, assess and monitor negotiations, facilitate public participation • promotion of campaign on climate change, promote South Africa’s position and the African Common Position on climate change, • Mobilisation- lobbying, networking and engaging communities through Parliamentary Constituency Offices, Sectoral Parliaments. • Constituency work focusing on climate change

9. OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAMME • TOOL KITS currently developed for MPs • Host a National Consultative Forum • A Communication Strategy (media, radio and print) • The strategy focus on build up activities(e.g. Parliamentary committees, Sectoral Parliaments, Globe Legislators Forum, joint initiatives and session with IPU , participation of Parliament in COP 17 and other related activities.) • Articles on climate change In Session, information on website and DVD

10. WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM PARLIAMENT? • Ratification of international instruments • Oversight • Facilitate public participation - constituency work • Engage on international activities • Ensure Parliament integrates climate change issues into committee programmes • Legislation – policy framework white paper and Climate Change legislation

11. ON LEADERSHIP ROLEInternal considerations • Drive Parliament Programme!!!!! • Political management • Cooperate and coordinate with staff • Create high levels of interest among public representatives • Ensure SA Parliament serves as a model

12. ON LEADERSHIP ROLEExternal considerations • Integrate with government national priorities • Building consensus and advancing unity • Promotion of African Common Position • Monitor negotiations - observe without directly participating • Facilitate general empowerment of citizens

13. STRATEGIC APPROACH • Save Climate Change negotiations not to slide into demise like DOHA Round • eThekwini should NOT be the graveyard of the Kyoto Protocol → meaning pull all stops to mobilize all our networks locally, continentally and globally → AGN • Focus on second commitment on Kyoto Protocol • Display broadest support locally & globally

14. CONCLUSION • Expectations on Parliament to provide leadership • Take advantage of hosting the AFRICAN COP to mobilise on climate change & MDG’s • Contribute in building a national consensus with realistic approach • Overall oversight on negotiations in preparation for ratification

15. CONCLUSION •  Opportunity •  Introduction of paradigm shift in the development through addressing challenges on climate change • Enhancement of role and contribution of Parliament on climate change e.g. mandatory national energy efficiency programme, promotion of environmental & biodiversity, green economy • Broaden support base to drive for optimal outcomes in COP 17 through local & regional legislatures, PAP, IPU, GLOBE, etc

16. CONCLUSION • Promote public participation especially • Reinforcing working relations between Parliament, organised civil society, government and intelligentsia. •   Provision of leadership as a legislature and as public representatives LEADING BY EXAMPLE Parliament as a champion for action on climate change