ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS

Media Statement
For Immediate Release

The CEOs of Black Industrialists (Pty) Ltd and Sarya Power (Pty) Ltd, Mr. Tokologo Phetla and Ms Nonku Hlongwa, as well as the Head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Mrs Cecilia Kinuthia-Njenga, will be amongst the stakeholders brought together by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung South Africa, to discuss South Africa’s transition to a low carbon economy. The Roundtable on South Africa’s Transition to a Low Carbon Economy will be held on the 27 October 2016 at Gallagher Convention Centre.

Presently, South Africa’s economy is energy intensive and is designed around large-scale usage of fossil fuels making it one of the world’s highest emitters of greenhouse gases. The move to a low carbon economy is essential in ensuring retardation of ecological and environmental degradation. However, transitioning to a low carbon economy requires modification of the current structure of the political economy to guarantee a just and seamless transition, bearing in mind improving human well-being and social equity. Further, it is important that the transition caters for displacement that might arise due to a shift from fossil fuel production towards sustainable methods of production.

The roundtable will be attended by a range of stakeholders including academics, business, government and science councils.

The roundtable will explore:

  • Progress and practicality of a transition to a low-carbon economy
  • The preparedness of the various stakeholders for a transition to a low-carbon economy and how it will be funded
  • The role of black industrialists in the transition
  • Gender parity in creation of green jobs
  • Identifying specific issues that require immediate action on the part of stakeholders

MISTRA hopes that, by addressing these questions, a co-operative platform can be developed in which the long-term sustainability, ecological, socio-economic and political interests of the country are fulfilled.  The roundtable will be conducted as an open and candid conversation amongst the participants and stakeholders.

Details of the roundtable are as follows:
Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre, 19 Richard Drive, Midrand
Date: 27 October 2016
Time: 09h00 – 14h00

If you are interested in attending or would like to arrange interviews with the speakers and/or the MISTRA team, please contact:

Ms Siphokazi Sigenu
Communications Officer
Tel: +27 11 518 0260
Cell: +27 72 233 1341
Email: siphokazis@mistra.org.za