THE formation of the Durban Climate Change Partnership (DCCP) is the fulfillment of a mandate received at the Durban Climate Change Summit in May 2009.
It is a stakeholder group comprising organisations from key sectors – government, business, academia, labour, civil society and youth, all of whom contribute to the partnership’s success.
Leadership is provided by a representative steering committee drawn from the participating members to ensure that the DCCP is effectively managed and directed. I was elected chairman following on from my chairmanship of the Prospecton Business Forum, with Brandon Abdinor, executive director of the KZN Master Builders Association elected the DCCP’s deputy chairman.
The partnership represents an innovative response by the citizens of eThekwini Municipality to share information on climate change activities, co-ordinate adaptation and mitigation efforts and learn from best practice both nationally and globally.
It will assist Durban to better understand the impacts of climate change on our city and to provide for the development of clear actions to address all aspects of climate change.
The overall aim of the DCCP is to support the implementation of effective responses to climate change, to ensure a resilient, prosperous and sustainable Durban.
The long-term vision for the partnership is for a self-sustaining collaborative forum that brings together role-players to support and co-ordinate a range of climate change-related activities. As agreed at the Durban Climate Change Summit in 2009, eThekwini Municipality has provided the initial seed funding for the DCCP for a two-year period.
However, the long-term vision is for the body to be self-sustaining and self-financing.
Ongoing support and facilitation of the partnership is being provided by BioRegional SA and Camco SA, independent service providers tasked with supporting all aspects of the DCCP and contributing their expertise and experience to the process.
The body is the common platform for engagement across sectors where best practice, inputs to national and international Climate Change processes and broad engagement is facilitated.
l Mark van Wyk is chairman of the Durban Climate Change Partnership and CEO of Black Business Link Africa. He can be reached on e-mail – mark@blackbusinesslinkafrica.co.za
l To join the Durban Climate Change Partnership send an e-mail to Sarah Alsen at sarah. alsen@bioregional.com or call 031 561 5708.
By registering as a stakeholder you will get access to the DCCP’s events calendar, receive updates and obtain invitations to major stakeholder seminars and events.
Also visit our website, www. durbanclimate.org.za
