Welcome to the United Nations
The 10YFP Sustainable Food Systems Programme (SFS Programme) is a global multi-stakeholder initiative to accelerate the shift towards more sustainable food systems, all along the food value chain, from farm to fork. Among its focus themes are the promotion of sustainable diets; the reduction of food losses and waste; and strengthening resilient and diverse food production systems. The SFS Programme promotes activities that fall under these topics, in the areas of awareness raising, capacity development as well as facilitating access to knowledge, information and tools. The SFS Programme is one...[more]
South Africa instituted an ad valorem CO2 emissions tax on new passenger vehicles in 2010. Source: World Resources Institute (2011) A Compilation of Green Economy Policies, Programs, and Initiatives from Around the World. The Green Economy in Practice: Interactive Workshop 1, February 11th, 2011 South Africa instituted an ad valorem CO2 emissions tax on new passenger vehicles in 2010. The emissions tax applies initially to passenger cars but will be extended to commercial vehicles once agreed CO2 standards for these vehicles have been set. The main objective of this emissions tax is to influ...[more]
Equal pay for women and men for work of equal value is central to realizing gender equality and women's economic empowerment, reducing poverty and is beneficial to promote economic growth. EPIC aims to accelerate progress towards SDG target 8.5 by leveraging expertise across a diverse range of stakeholders through concrete actions on the ground and in workplaces.
The IHO capacity building programme seeks to assess and advise on how countries can best meet their international obligations and serve their own best interests by providing appropriate hydrographic and nautical charting services. Such services directly support safety of navigation, safety of life at sea, efficient sea transportation and the wider use of the seas and oceans in a sustainable way, including the protection of the marine environment, coastal zone management, fishing, marine resource exploration and exploitation, maritime boundary delimitation, maritime defence and security, and o...[more]
Extensive multidisciplinary research undertaking to generate oceanographic, biodiversity and all other relevant data and metadata about the Indian Ocean.
Establishment of an ocean governance framework that seeks to promote coexistence of all industries that are dependent in the marine environment. Furthermore, to promote a proactive and sustainable ability to measure and monitor the aggregated impacts of those industries to the environment so that they can be kept within the set limit whilst creating a conducive environment for all sustainable development activities.
To establish baselines and thresholds for pollutants in the South African estuaries and the marine environment. In addition, to develop a national plan for constant monitoring. Mobile laboratories and a National reference laboratory which is housed at the Walter Sisulu University will be utilised for this undertaking. Governance processes will be coordinated by the Department of Environmental Affairs, and a national water quality monitoring working group made of various stakeholders is in the process of being established.
The Urban-LEDS Project, funded by the European Comission, supports development and implementation of urban low emissions development strategies (LEDS) to address climate change in partnership between UN-Habitat and ICLEI. The objective of the Project is to enhance the transition to low emission urban development in four emerging economy countries, Brazil, Indonesia, India and South Africa. In each of those countries the project supports two Model Cities, receiving intensive assistance to develop LEDS, plus four to six 'Satellite Cities' that engaged to a lesser degree. A handful of European ci...[more]
The Government and its social partners signed the Green Economy Accord on 17 November 2011 as an outcome of social dialogue on the New Growth Path. Source: The Accord launches a green partnership to create large numbers of jobs, provide a spur for industrialisation and help to create a sustainable future for this and the next generation. It is one of a series of agreements in which social partners commit to work together to achieve the goals of the New Growth Path. The Accord helps lay a basis for greater employment creation and equality, and sets out how South Africans can participate in the...[more]
South Africa has set The Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for 2009-2014 to mitigate climate change . Source: This Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF, 2009 ? 2014) builds on successes of the 15 years of democracy. It is a statement of intent, identifying the development challenges facing South Africa and outlining the medium-term strategy for improvements in the conditions of the life of South Africans and for our enhanced contribution to the cause of building a better world. The Framework is designed to guide policy and the programme of action over the period of five years For more...[more]
The purpose of the National Framework on Sustainable Development is to enunciate South Africa's national vision for sustainable development and indicate strategic interventions to re-orientate South Africa's development path in a more sustainable direction. It proposes a national vision, principles and areas for strategic intervention that will enable and guide the development of the national strategy and action plan. Source: Department of Environmental Affairs, Republic of South Africa It proposes five strategic focus areas for intervention. ...[more]
The SEED Initiative inspires, supports and researches exceptional, entrepreneurial, nascent, multi-stakeholder partnerships for locally-led sustainable development . The initiative focuses on 'business as unusual' - innovative action delivering real solutions through project cooperation among small and large businesses, local and international NGOs, women's groups, labour organisations, public authorities and UN agencies, and others working in the field of sustainable development. The SEED Initiative aims to: support outstanding and innovative start-up entrepreneurs working in partnership in ...[more]
The "Working for Water" public program created 25,000 green jobs for previously unemployed people in the removal of high water-consuming invasive vegetation. Source: UNEP (2011) Green Economy . Advisory Services. Working for Water is a government program in South Africa that was founded in 1995 to clear alien invasive plants while providing social services and rural employment. Alien invasive plants tend to be heavy water users in South Africa?s arid climate, so their removal frees water resources for both human needs and the environment. In addition to the specific problem of alien plants, t...[more]
