Metro in the run for national title in climate change challenge
The Tshwane metro is competing with two other South African cities to take part in a global initiative to combat climate change.
Tshwane is one of three South African cities running for the World Wildlife Fund’s One Planet City Challenge national title.
The City of Cape Town and eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality are the two other finalists for the national title, showcasing the three metro’s commitment to combating climate change and transitioning towards following a low-carbon path.
Andrea Weiss, the fund’s media manager, said the South African cities are vying for the prestigious title of the Fund’s One Planet City Challenge national winner.
The One Planet City Challenge is a global initiative for cities to stand up and be counted in the worldwide action against climate change.
It takes place every second year and has been running since 2011.
Participating cities participate in a friendly competition by reporting on their climate actions.
Through the challenge, these cities compile and report data on their climate-related targets, actions, performance, and planning.
The data is later assessed and compared with the fund’s evaluation methodology, which then provides recommendations for a 1.5°C emission reduction trajectory and awards national and global winners.
“The fact that there are three cities as finalists showcases the strong leadership being portrayed by South African cities in the fight against climate change,” said Weiss.
She said the initiative has encouraged cities worldwide to set ambitious climate targets aligned with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
“Building on the legacy of previous winners, such as the City of Johannesburg in 2022, these cities stand at the forefront of climate action in South Africa,” said Weiss.
Working together, the Fund and International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Africa have garnered participation from over 30 cities on the continent.
They form part of the over 700 cities across nearly 70 countries in the One Planet City Challenge (OPCC), making it one of the world’s largest and most enduring climate challenges for cities.
ICLEI Africa is the regional office of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, a global network working with over 2 500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development.
Active in more than 125 countries, it influences sustainability policy and drives local action for low-emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient, and circular development.
Participating cities submit their climate action plans or projects through the accessible reporting platform for cities globally called the CDP-ICLEI Track.
The national winner will go on to compete with cities around the world.
All three cities will undergo rigorous assessment by a panel of experts, evaluating criteria such as ambitious climate targets, bold leadership, and comprehensive climate action plans.
Innocentia Modau, climate action project manager with WWF South Africa, commented: “We are proud of our three finalist cities to have put their hands up for this competition.
Tshwane, Cape Town, and eThekwini now have the chance to drive the climate agenda forward, both in South Africa and the world.
“The fund is calling on all cities to actively reduce their emissions and build more resilient communities in our efforts to address the climate emergency.
“As scientists keep reminding us, every effort helps, but there is still so much more that needs to be done,” said Modau.
She explained the benefits for residents of cities nominated or winning cities are global recognition, a boost to the city’s reputation to attract and improve quality of life with the implementation of environmental plans and actions.
– The Climate Change Action Plan of Tshwane will be in the spotlight in a future issue of Rekord.
– Click here to view more about the One Planet City Challenge: https://wwf.panda.org/projects/one_planet_cities/one_planet_city_challenge/
ALSO READ: Tshwane invests R4m in climate change project
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