04/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/25/2024 08:53
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes the National Council's adoption of the Climate Change Bill.
Climate change is a real threat to workers, their families, communities and the economy. Its effects are being felt with the pollution that claims the lives of thousands of workers annually, increasing occurrences of devastating floods whilst some regions experience dwindling supplies of drinkable water, rising temperatures and arable land being lost to desertification. The key causes of climate change result from the unsustainable behaviour of humanity and unbridled capital's thirst for profits at the expense of workers and society's needs.
The Climate Change Bill is a welcome and long overdue intervention that seeks to provide a balanced approach for South Africa to try to manage the many crises of climate change and to ensure that the transitions which are taking place, will be just and protect workers, their jobs and communities. It is a welcome assertion by government led by the African National Congress that we will move collectively to manage climate change and do so in a manner that takes all of society with and leaves no person or community behind.
COSATU engaged extensively on the Bill at Nedlac and is pleased that its concerns and proposals were accommodated in the Bill. These include the need for South Africa's climate change responses to tackle not only the climate change crises, but also our employment and economic development needs simultaneously. These cannot be tackled separately if we are to ensure a sustainable approach to these challenges.
The Federation welcomes the Bill's provisions:
COSATU looks forward to the President, Cyril Ramaphosa' assenting of this important Bill. Whilst the Bill lays a progressive foundation for the nation's response to climate change, it will only achieve its objectives if government resources its organs to implement it. Equally important is for the private sector to plays its role, adopt less pollutive behaviour and invest in reskilling and not retrenching workers' whose jobs are at risk.
Issued by COSATU
For further information please contact:
Matthew Parks
Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator
Cell: 082 785 0687