ONTHE 5th  0f July 2012, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) launched its first Climate Change Policy Framework for all State Owned Companies (SOC) under its’s portfolio. The aim of the framework is to optimize the impact of the departments’ SOC on the reduction of carbon emissions and development of the green economy without compromising SOC financial viability.

The event also marked a signing by SOC of the Biofuels Strategy Policy Framework which is linked to the United Nations’ Global Compact (UNGC). The framework is intended to guide longer term actions required to put South Africa on a low carbon development path and to ensure that the SOC lead as agents of change in the process of building a green economy. The UNGC is a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, thereby advancing sustainable development.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoane Mashabane, and Minister of Environmental affairs, Edna Molewa, both congratulated the department for responding to the challenges and opportunities associated with the potential impacts of climate variability. The framework is launched seven months after South Africa hosted and participated in Cop 17 conference in 2011. The framework also represents part of the commitment to supporting national effort to transition towards a greener economy.

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