R275m donated to SA’s urban environmental management
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Denmark has donated R275 million to South Africa’s urban environmental management programme.
At least 58 percent of South Africa’s population lives in cities and towns and the figure is expected to rise to 68 percent in 2015 due to continued migration, posing challenges to environmental management.
Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, said today’s donation was not the first - Denmark had passed the R1 billion mark in donations towards improving environmental quality in South Africa.
The Minister said the programme marked a shift towards strengthening locally driven delivery of improved air quality, waste management, energy efficient and integrated planning.
“We expect that the programme will lead to an improvement in the quality of life of nearly two million poor households in five municipalities, whose health is affected by inadequate waste removal, air quality and planning.
“It will contribute to economic growth by assisting cities to develop energy strategies and integrated development plans,” said Mr Schalkwyk.
He added that national and provincial departments would be receiving R68 million to implement lessons learnt and models developed that could lead to improvements in the municipalities.
He said his department would pilot a coordinated approach to working with provincial and local government in creating a shared comprehensive picture of all environmental challenges and opportunities.
“Lessons learnt in improving the air quality in the South Durban basin will be shared with managers in the Vaal Triangle. Cities will share experiences and success stories through the South African Cities Network, another beneficiary of Danish support.
“A further R12 million is allocated to supporting applied research aimed at developing practical responses to reducing poverty through improved environmental management. Community groups and NGOs will also be receiving support to the value of R30 million over five years,” he said.
Minister Schalkwk said R85 million had been earmarked for direct support to Cape Town, Durban, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and Sedibeng (Vaal Trinagle).
BuaNews
Last modified 2006-06-26 09:36 AM
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