Just Transition - The Climate Change Emergency in SA
As part of the Knowledge Management Strategy of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, the House Chairperson of Committees, Oversight and ICT, Hon. C. Frolick, MP, in collaboration with the Parliamentary Research Unit, will host a virtual round-table discussion themed The Climate Change Emergency - A South African Response (What role should Parliament play in the climate change emergency response?). The objective of the round-table is to explore the impact of climate change on various sectors of society and measures adopted by the country to respond to the climate emergency. Further, the contribution of Parliament, as the elected representative of the people, to the climate change response will be explored. Specific topics to be discussed during the round-table include:
- Defining the climate change emergency within the context of South Africa.
- Funding the climate emergency
- Gender and climate change
- South Africa’s position towards COP27
- A civil society perspective
- The role of Parliament in the climate change response
The round table, which forms part of the preparation of the South African Parliament’s delegation to COP27, scheduled to take place in Egypt from 6 to 18 November 2022, will be held as follows:
Date: 20 October 2022
Time: 14h00 to 16h30
Speakers
| Mr Crispian Olver,
Presidential Climate Commission Crispian is the Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Commission, responsible for running the Secretariat of the PCC and its various policy and research programmes. He has served in the South African government in various capacities, including as Director-General of the then Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (1999 to 2005), where he crafted much of the country’s climate policy and environmental legislation, as well as leading South Africa’s hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002). Crispian is a medical doctor by training and holds BSc (Med) (1983), Psychology Honours (1984) and MBChB (1988) degrees from the University of Cape Town. He is completing a PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Department of Political Studies and is a research fellow at the Public Affairs Research Institute. As the Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Commission in South Africa, Crispian is leading the detailed planning of South Africa’s climate transition and engagement between social partners on a just transition. |
|
Mr Daniel Mminele,
A seasoned professional with more than three decades of experience in banking and central banking. He is passionate about authentic and transformative leadership, governance, and international relations. He currently serves as head of the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team of the Republic of South Africa. He joined the board of Alexander Forbes Group Holdings (Alexforbes) in January 2022 as an independent non-executive director and became chairman in April 2022. |
|
Hon. Ms B. Creecy,
Ms Creecy is the Minister of Forestry and Fisheries and the Environment of the Republic of South Africa. She is one of the leaders of the ANC and currently serves as a member of the National Executive Committee and National Working Committee. She is well respected by stakeholders as a capable leader, with a good track record in public policy formulation and implementation. Ms Creecy was one of the Members of the Provincial Legislature that served the longest, joining in 1994 where she served under multiple MEC positions. She received multiple awards of service excellence for innovative solutions and improved performance that characterised her work. |
|
Hon. Mr C. Frolick,
Mr Frolick is the current House Chairperson: Committees, Oversight and ICT in the National Assembly of Parliament for the Republic of South Africa. A teacher, politician, and anti-apartheid activist. He retired from teaching in 1999 and subsequently became a politician in the National Assembly. He has served in various positions in the ANC and multiple Parliamentary Committees. On 18 November 2010, the ANC appointed him as the House Chairperson responsible for Committees, ICT and Oversight. Want to see a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society built on excellence and equal opportunities for all. |
|
Mr Nhlanhla Ginindza,
Joseph Ginindza is a researcher at the South African Parliament, where he provides analytical research and advice on environmental, forestry and fisheries matters. He contributes to oversight by helping Members of Parliament to raise and discuss pertinent issues that are geared towards reducing poverty, unemployment and inequality while encouraging inclusive economic development. Mr Ginindza ensures that the voice and wishes of the public come through during public participation in the law-making process, and functions of the institution. He uses his experience and research to help transform the social, economic, environmental and political aspects of the environmental, forestry and fisheries sectors. As part of his ongoing doctorate studies at the University of the Western Cape, he focuses on the role of small-scale fisheries in supporting food security and livelihoods. |
|
Ms Mitchelle Mhaka,
Mitchelle Mhaka is a Zimbabwean-born, Cape Town-based Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics student, debater and activist spreading the word about the climate crisis and related issues among the youth. She is the Educational Coordinator for the African Climate Alliance, an organisation that is demanding for leaders and political heads to be accountable in dealing with the current climate crisis. Mitchelle has taken it upon herself to become an information hub for young people who want to learn about climate change and issues related to it. Her work as an education coordinator addresses the climate literacy issues we have in South Africa. She feels that people, especially those in underprivileged communities, should have the same access to information about environmental conservation and that arming the youth with knowledge is critical because the youth can be a powerful voice that could instil change in those they interact with. |
|
Mr Brandon Abdinor,
Brandon Abdinor works as an attorney, facilitator, writer and consultant focussing on sustainability and climate change risk management. He is the co-founder of the Climate Risk Clinic which supports businesses and other organisations to incorporate climate risk management into their strategic and operational thinking. Early on in his career, Brandon awoke to the importance of environmental sustainability and its impact on business and society. He became an avid student of climate change and related matters such as peak energy, energy and water efficiency and green building imperatives. More recently he developed his expertise on the emerging jurisprudence of climate change law and how climate change is influencing the psychology of the market. He has published several articles in this regard. Brandon has designed and delivered numerous training courses and awareness seminars on sustainability, climate change, green building, alternative dispute resolution and various specialist legal topics. |
|
Ms Mandy Moussouris,
Mandy is the Executive Director of the Environmental Monitoring Group, her background is in the trade union movement with a focus on worker and activist education and research. She has been working in unions and NGOs for 28 years in various positions including the National Educator of the Chemical Workers Industrial Union (CWIU), Sector Job Summit Project Manager at Naledi, a Board member of Ditsela and National Educator at the Black Sash. She previously worked at EMG on the Fairtrade project focusing on farm workers’ rights, market justice and sustainable development. She is on the Board of Cape Town TV. Mandy has an Honors Degree in Sociology and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Witwatersrand. |
Programme
|
Time |
Activity |
Presenter |
|
13h45 - 13h59 |
Participant admission to the virtual platform |
Ms C. April |
|
14h00 - 14h05 |
Programme outline and House Rules |
Dr L. Gabriel (KISD) |
|
14h05 - 14h10 |
Official opening and welcome |
Mr X. George,
|
|
14h10 - 14h25 |
Contextualising the climate emergency in South Africa |
Mr Crispian Olver,
|
|
14h25 - 14h40 |
Financing the climate emergency |
Mr Daniel Mminele,
|
|
14h40 - 14h55 |
Gender and climate change |
Dr Thembinkosi Twalo
|
|
14h55 - 15h10 |
The Conference of the Parties (CoP) 27: What position does South Africa hold? |
Hon. Ms B. Creecy,
|
|
15h10 - 15h25 |
The role of Parliament in the United Nations Climate Change Fora |
Hon. Mr C. Frolick,
|
|
15h25 - 15h40 |
The potential of the Climate Change Bill [B9-2021] for South Africa, including the development of an integrated oversight framework on climate change issues. |
Mr Nhlanhla Ginindza,
|
|
15h40 - 15h45 |
The impact of climate change on the natural resources of South Africa: Recommended oversight areas for Parliament. |
Ms Mitchelle Mhaka,
|
|
15h45 - 15h50 |
Climate change and the right to a healthy environment. |
Mr Brandon Abdinor, Centre for Environmental Rights |
|
15h50 - 15h55 |
Has Parliament done enough to respond to the climate emergency? How can the Institution enhance its contribution? |
Ms Mandy Moussouris, Environmental Monitoring Group |
|
15h55 - 16h00 |
Interactive poll results |
Mr T. Manungufala |
|
16h00 - 16h25 |
Roundtable discussion (questions and answers from the floor) |
Hon. M. Semenya, MP (Chairperson: PC on Human Settlements)
|
|
16h25 - 16h30 |
Closing remarks |
Hon. C. Frolick |
