Speaking at the Gauteng Climate Change Indaba at the Birchwood Hotel’s OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg last week, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi expressed confidence that Gauteng has transitioned from addressing climate challenges through “an ad hoc programme” to a more permanent initiative led by a dedicated team and department which acts against climate change.
“I am proud to be the first premier in the entire country to establish a department dedicated to climate change,” he said.
Looking to the future, Premier Lesufi identified two critical areas for Gauteng’s socio-economic development: climate change and artificial intelligence.
“If we can’t adapt to these two challenges, we risk losing the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in society,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of Gauteng’s central role in the country’s economy, saying, “We must step up to seize the benefits or risk losing out in these processes.”
Premier Lesufi highlighted the urgent need for action, explaining to the Gauteng climate change team that the profound effects of climate change mean they have a responsibility to protect their society.
He added that they must plan for the future and align themselves with current realities, noting, “the cost of inaction on climate change in South Africa is enormous [job losses, collapse of agricultural production and public infrastructure through drought and floods].”
“We cannot afford to fail, especially with so many expectations from our people and institutions that rely on us to fulfil their aspirations,” he said.
“In the fight against climate change, failure is not an option.”
He said Gauteng Province “needs to have the skills and the infrastructure to migrate and adapt to” using electric vehicles by 2030 to reduce climate-change-causing carbon emissions.
Premier Lesufi said, “One day, we want to tell our grandchildren that we contributed to these ideas [climate change reducing innovations].”
