Review 3 final 2 - TAU - National Treasury

More documents

Recommendations

Info

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE UNIT REVIEW | Green Governance which has adopted this mandate, yet there is no doubt that it will increasingly become central to not only our government’s business, but for the world as a whole. The fundamentals Our renewable resources are being consumed at a rate greater than their replacement rate and our nonrenewable natural resources are being depleted at a rate which will see us facing supply problems. For example, it is estimated oil has gone beyond peak production. Our economic systems and regulatory environment are not geared to manage the consumption of resources in an environmentally rational manner. that if we all consumed resources at the level of European countries we would need 2.1 more planet earths to sustain us.” Watson, 2006. At the same time, we are seeing huge strides being made by developing economies, such as India and China, as well as in Africa, in improving incomes and lifestyles. As incomes grow, so too does the societal demand for resources grow, as more people want TVs, fridges, single residential properties and cars. The new resource scramble for Africa is a case in point, and there is a growing need for South Africa, and Africa, to improve its ability to negotiate in its best interests, as to how these resources are utilised and exploited. Environmental pressures caused by consumption and societal demand include the loss of forests and wetlands, overfishing, and transport, which collectively use nearly 30% of world energy and 95% of its oil. “…our obsession with growth has led to a major resource crisis – most significantly, the likely end of oil – in our lifetimes – as well as clear indications of climate change, water depletion and food insecurities. You are probably familiar with the various ecological footprint measures, that claim 36 page Enabling change for development
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE UNIT REVIEW | Green Governance Resource crunch dynamics “There is the tragedy. Each man is locked in a system that compels him to increase his herd without limit – in a world that is limited. Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own best interest in a society that believes in the freedom of the commons. Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all.” Gareth Hardin, Tragedy of the Commons, 1968. The graph below combines the two on page 36 and illustrates the “resource crunch” that commentators are increasingly suggesting will lead to major conflict and instability in society – especially as demand for environmental resources increasingly outstrips supply. As planners we need to be offering society ideas and prospects about how this transformation can take place in a practical, positive and empowering manner 4.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 Resource crunch dynamics Gradualdecline in raw materials, eco system servicess, integrity and capacity of natural systems Resource crunch point - when societal demand outstrips ability of environment and Societal demand for resources under current economic and resource Time 1 Time 2 Time 3 consumption paradigms and Time 4 development models Growth in demand for resources Resource availability and ecosystem integrity page 37 Enabling change for development
Page 1 and 2: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE UNIT REVIEW Vo
Page 3 and 4: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE UNIT REVIEW |
Page 35: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE UNIT REVIEW |
Page 49 and 50: Tini Laubscher Tini Laubscher is a
Page 51 and 52: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE UNIT REVIEW NO

Review 3 final 2 - TAU - National Treasury

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?