With all the sectors of the government set to discuss the development of a “green” economy at the National Green Economy Summit in Sandton later this month, it appears the Western Cape and Cape Town may prove the example to follow.
Evidence shows the Western Cape is leading a green economy more aggressively than any other province. Experts attribute this to innovative thinking, environmental consciousness and using environmental assets. Cape Town, being the province´s major metropolis, is spearheading the province´s focus on sustainability. The city has 41 green-based initiatives, as noted by environment and tourism consultant Sheryl Ozinsky. These range from renewable energy programmes to innovative initiatives in business and legislation.
A prime example is the city selling ´green electricity´ generated at the Darling Wind Farm on the West Coast and fed into the city´s grid. The city´s renewable energy and efficiency focus is mirrored by the concentration of expertise at the universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town. The Western Cape had the largest ´critical mass of expertise and interlinked sustainability knowledge network´ , said Professor of Sustainability at the University of Stellenbosch, Mark Swilling. Such expertise has been translated into legislation via ´ innovative municipal regulations´, said Peet du Plooy of the Green Industries Association for South Africa. These include solar water heater by-laws (SWH) that call for the installation of 10 000 SWH units a year. Du Plooy expects this by-law to translate into national legislation by 2011.
Another example is the air pollution management by-law allowing officials to carry out random roadblocks testing vehicles for emissions and impose fines or jail for owners of non-compliant vehicles. As the fastest-growing city in SA, Cape Town was trying to develop in the most sustainable way through a credit-based system of green building guidelines, said Swilling. The R20 billion plan to sink the railway lines between Cape Town Station and Salt River and develop 3 million square metres of land above the tracks was an ´exemplary example of how transport can combine with an energy and water conservation approach.´
Swilling said having the lowest unemployment and illiteracy rates rates in the country, and the highest level of internet connections, could be why Cape Town was leading the way. Cape Town is vulnerable to energy sustainability, is high risk for climate change and needs to protect its vegetation to preserve biodiversity, notes Du Plooy. Lack of natural resources also means the Western Cape has to protect what it has, perhaps faster than other provinces.
Source: Cape Times, 4 May 2010.
The liveeco team
