REGIONAL FOCUS: FREE STATE BY JESSIE TAYLOR
Free State looks towards greener future
T
he Free State has been experiencing increased temperatures in parts, according to Economic Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Thabo Meeko – making the province’s focus on green energy essential. To mitigate these impacts, the Department of Economic Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) working on plans to encourage investment into green projects, such as renewable energy and waste management. FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE Predictions estimate that the Free State will experience an annual average temperature increase of between 2.5% to 3% in most districts between 2021 and 2050
50 | Public Sector Leaders | July 2023
“Although there is less clarity on the direction the rainfall pattern will take in our province, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) predicts that storm and flood events will increase four-fold up to 2050,” said MEC Meeko. The impact of these on biodiversity, environment and socioeconomic levels will be unprecedented, he said.To mitigate climate change’s impact, the DESTEA is establishing a Climate Change forum, which will report to the provincial Working Group on Climate Change. There are several other ways the DESTEA is working to reduce the impact of climate change, such as a drive to plant trees and setting up infrastructure to harvest water in drought prone areas. In addition,
DESTEA is looking to funnel investment in the province toward green projects, and a database of climate change is being compiled to aid in attracting external funding. One of the ways the provincial government is tackling waste management, is through efforts to reduce waste directed to provincial landfills. To this end, DESTEA is providing environmental support and training in the energy and waste management sectors. An audit of 25 landfill sites has been carried out, to ensure compliance and issue waste license applications. “Recent rapid urbanisation and economic growth have contributed to increased waste generation. A lack of appropriate
