Minister Fikile Mbalula: Presidential Climate Commission's Multi Stakeholder conference

• Published date: 05 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

It is my pleasure to join you at this important occasion, for South Africa's first multi-stakeholder conference on a just transition.

A just transition means a people-centred approach to addressing the impacts of climate change.

It is about improving the lives and livelihoods of all South Africans, particularly those that are bearing the brunt of climate impacts.

It is about protecting and empowering workers and communities, as our country carefully navigates the shift away from fossil fuels.

Achieving a just transition is an idea that our President is committed to, and one that I and my fellow Ministers and Commissioners fully support.

Indeed, we cannot forget the burden that climate change poses to our economy and our people.

We live in one of the most affected regions in the world, and frequently experience droughts, storms and floods associated with global warming.

The recent devastating floods in Kwa-Zulu Natal put these climate impacts in sharp focus, causing catastrophic loss of life and widespread destruction.

Hundreds of people lost their lives. Homes, roads, and bridges were washed away. Public buildings, shops and farms were flooded.

Our hearts are with those that have been affected. And we pay tribute to the heroes who are working tirelessly to rebuild homes and infrastructure.

Disasters like those in Kwa-Zulu Natal remind us that it is poorer communities - women and young people, the unemployed, those living in informal settlements, that are most vulnerable to climate change.

We must protect these communities from further devastation, through properly planned settlements, and affordable and safe housing.

We must continue to build our resilience to the impacts of climate change, through early warning systems, stronger infrastructure, and disaster risk management systems.

It is imperative that as we build back from the catastrophic events in KwaZulu-Natal, that we do so in a climate resilient way. Our social and economic infrastructure must be made climate resilient in a systematic and forward-looking manner.

It is about addressing climate change while solving our triple challenges: reducing inequality, eliminating poverty, and creating new employment opportunities.

This is what a just and equitable climate response looks like.

At the request of the President, it is my privilege to be part of the Presidential Climate Commission, as I work with my fellow Ministers and fellow Commissioners to drive a just and equitable transition in South Africa - bringing...