Tell us about GDARDE’s journey to a net zero future
Being the most populous and industrialised province in South Africa, Gauteng needs to be aware of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profile for the province, to understand the contribution to national GHG emissions and impacts of climate change. Gauteng must keep track of its efforts to reduce GHG emissions and how those efforts affect the GHG provincial emissions levels.
Having reliable climate information on GHG emissions that is quantified, measured, reported, and verified on a regular basis can provide confidence and enhance accountability of the climate responses. The Department has therefore embarked on the development of Gauteng Greenhouse Gas Inventory System (GGHGIS) and establishment of a Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system which is line with the IPCC Guidelines.
Technical assistance received from the Under2 Coalition through the appointment of technical partners Ricardo Energy and Environment and local implementing partners, Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA), enabled the Department to develop and finalise the Terms of Reference for this project. A service provider was successfully appointed to commence with the development of the Gauteng GHG Inventory and we look forward to having the project concluded in early 2024.
Why did GDARDE decide to join the Under2 Coalition?
We became a member of the Under2 Coalition in January 2022. The Department and the province has benefitted immensely from the membership through technical and expert support received to implement departmental programs, development of monitoring and reporting systems, climate finance, peer to peer learning and participation in international climate engagements such as Climate Week New York, Global NDC Conference, COP 27, among others. Through our membership and partnership with the Under2 Coalition we have taken great strides in implementing the Gauteng Over-Arching Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan. Through this membership, the province is well positioned to take ambitious climate action and leadership.
“Through our membership with the Under2 Coalition, we have benefitted immensely from technical and expert support, climate finance advice, peer-to-peer learning and participation in international climate engagements. As a result, our province is well positioned to take ambitious climate action and leadership.”
- Basani Ndindani, Director of Environmental Policy, Planning & Coordination, Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development & Environment
What has this enabled GDARDE to achieve?
The Department together with the National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC), in 2015 pioneered the Gauteng Industrial Symbiosis Program which is a resource efficiency program. The industrial symbiosis program has resulted in 1500 tonnes of GHG emission reduction. The program has also resulted in significant savings in water and other natural resources. To date, 1,400 companies are participating in the Program. This is helping the subnational government to drive partnership with industry to reduce emissions, promote resource material efficiency and to accelerate the transition to a net zero.
The Gauteng subnational government will be hosting a Climate Change Indaba on 4-6 October 2023. The Gauteng Climate Change Indaba is intended to create a platform for various actors and contributors to exchange knowledge and share expertise on climate change-related policies and interventions to facilitate the transition to a climate smart Gauteng City Region in order to decarbonise and reduce emissions. The Under2 Coalition has partnered with the Department to ensure an international platform is created for the Indaba and will be co-hosting a parallel session leading discussion on Just Transition, opportunities, challenges and ideas to enhance collaboration.