A notable mark is set to be made in the fight against climate change when eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda officially launches Durban’s Climate Action Plan at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Center on 3 September.
Durban will be the first city on the African continent and one of only 12 countries worldwide to launch a plan of this kind.
Comprised of nine thematic areas, which among others includes energy, transport and food security, the plan aims to transition the City to carbon neutrality and climate resilience by 2050. The goals of the plan are in line with the Paris Agreement to reduce global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Mayor Kaunda, who is also the C40 Vice-Chair for the African region, said eThekwini Municipality has continued to be at the cutting edge of climate change action, assisted by its progressive leadership and engagement within strategic partnerships at local, national and international levels. “Hence the City, through its partnership with the C40 Leadership Group (C40), has become the first city on the African continent to develop and adopt a Climate Action Plan, responsive to the objectives outlined within the United Nations 2015 Paris Agreement,” said Mayor Kaunda.
Joining the Mayor at this historic event will be local and national leadership, as well as local and international climate partners.
In adherence to the country’s regulations of lockdown level 2, other dignitaries and the public will join the event via webinar.
As part of the launch and also in celebration of Arbor Week, which is observed in the first week of September, the Pepper-bark tree will be planted at the Gugu Dlamini Park situated at the Workshop Shopping Centre. This will also be in celebration of the title bestowed upon Durban for being the greenest city in the world by the first Husqvarna Urban Green Space Index in 2019.
Durban first African country to launch Climate Action Plan
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