Latest news with #ECSWG
The South African
2 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
G20 leaders urged to prioritise climate action
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has urgently called for global leaders to address climate action and provide the necessary support for mitigation and adaptation. Singh was speaking during the second Group of 20 (G20) Environment and Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting at the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, on Monday. 'I wish to reiterate what was said during the first G20 ECSWG meeting in March this year: we are less than five years away from our deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the end of this critical decade for climate action. 'Yet, we are still far from attaining these goals and action targets,' he said. According to the Deputy Minister, poverty levels are worsening, pollution from hazardous chemicals has been increasing, and greenhouse gas emissions reached record highs last year. 'This calls for an urgent acceleration of our efforts. Our commitment to achieve these goals must not waver, as we are all negatively affected. That is why South Africa has placed solidarity, equality and sustainability at the centre of our G20 Presidency.' South Africa's G20 Presidency has outlined an ambitious agenda for this Working Group following the successful convening of the inaugural virtual meeting earlier this year. Singh said the five interrelated priorities have now been expanded into six, with the splitting of the climate change and air quality priorities into separate areas of focus. 'This will provide us with an opportunity to delve into these two key issues more deeply and systematically.' During this five-day meeting, delegates from G20 member nations will focus on several key priorities. These include biodiversity and conservation; land degradation, desertification, drought; chemicals and waste management; air quality; oceans and coasts; and climate change, with a particular emphasis on Just Transitions. According to Singh, Just Transition encompasses energy transition, adaptation, resilience, loss and damage. 'This priority also includes a sub-priority on mitigation within the context of low-carbon economic development and other co-benefits beyond the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.' Singh stated that the G20 process offers a chance to discuss and agree on actions that can expedite climate action and support at the necessary scale, as highlighted in the results of the first global stocktake. As a primary outcome of South Africa's G20 Presidency this year, the country will explore ways that the G20 can leverage opportunities to increase the scale and flows of climate finance. 'It is paramount for developing economy countries to be actively supported in their efforts to achieve 'whole of society and whole of economy' Just Transitions to sustainable development on the ground, through scaled access to low-cost finance, technology, capacity development, and skills transfer,' the Deputy Minister said. Singh believes that the blue economy approach can make a significant contribution to the livelihood of coastal communities around the globe, as well as addressing climate change. 'It's sustainable, long-term development should be promoted and enhanced through collective action at the level of the G20. 'It is also recognised that plastic pollution poses a significant threat to coastal and marine environments, affecting marine life, human health, and livelihoods, which needs to be addressed in an integrated and coordinated manner.' Singh announced that the final meetings of the Working Group and Ministerial sessions will be held from 13-15 October in Cape Town. During these meetings, the final versions of the technical papers and the draft of the Ministerial Declaration will be discussed. This will be followed by the G20 ECSWG Ministerial meeting scheduled for 16-17 October in Cape Town, where the Ministerial Declaration and other deliverables of the Working Group will be presented. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
3 days ago
- General
- IOL News
SA highlights urgent need for collective climate action at G20 environment meeting
Narend Singh, the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, during a World Oceans Day event at Umkomaas North Beach on the South Coast, recently. He also interacted with fisherfolk and the community during the Sardine Run at the beach. Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has warned that the world is rapidly running out of time to meet critical sustainability and climate targets – and called for accelerated, coordinated global action. Speaking at the second G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting in Skukuza, Kruger National Park, on Tuesday, Singh stressed the urgency of delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and broader climate objectives. 'We are less than five years away from our deadline to achieving the SDGs and the end of this critical decade for climate action,' he said. 'Yet we are still far from attaining these goals and action targets.' According to Sustainable Development Goals: Country Report 2023 prepared by Statistics South Africa, South Africa's progress towards meeting the SDGs is mixed. While the country has made strides in education, healthcare, water, sanitation, electricity, and gender equality, significant challenges remain, especially in addressing poverty and inequality, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The South African
6 days ago
- General
- The South African
South Africa to host second G20 environment and climate meeting
South Africa, through the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), will host the second technical meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) next week. The meeting will be held from 14-18 July at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park. The ECSWG will facilitate high-level discussions on various critical topics, including biodiversity and conservation, climate change, land degradation, desertification and drought, chemicals and waste management, air quality, and ocean and coastal issues. According to the department, this meeting will build on the progress made at the first virtual ECSWG meeting held in March and will focus on deepening collaboration within the priorities of the G20 ECSWG. The DFFE is coordinating the ECSWG, ensuring alignment with South Africa's policy priorities and global sustainability commitments. The key activities focused on promoting global cooperation for environmental sustainability. This includes leading three ECSWG meetings, integrating sustainability discussions within G20 Working Groups, and collaborating with stakeholders and member states to achieve actionable results in climate finance, biodiversity, pollution management, and ocean governance. The meeting at the Kruger National Park forms part of a series of three ECSWG engagements hosted by South Africa during its G20 Presidency. The meeting will bring together over 250 delegates, including representatives from G20 member states, invited countries, international organisations, government officials, and the media. The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, will launch G20 legacy projects at the second technical meeting of the ECSWG. The launch of the G20 legacy project, Rhino Renaissance Campaign, will demonstrate conservation efforts in fighting wildlife crime. This will include a live demonstration of the dehorning of rhino process to be administered by the world-acclaimed South African National Parks Veterinary Services in the presence of the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, and a selected group of delegates. The leaders will also embark on the G20 tree planting activity, a symbolic tree planting ceremony of 20 trees, one for each G20 member, outside the Nombolo Mdluli Conference Centre. 'This initiative forms part of South Africa's National Greening Programme, which aims to plant 10 million trees over five years. It is a bold step toward addressing the Presidential imperatives on greening,' the statement read. The leaders will also announce the school essay winners. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
