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Global Climate Network launches drive for low-carbon economy in South Africa

27 January 2010

A network of nine independent think tanks in high emitting countries, including in BASIC countries, is launching a new initiative Wednesday aimed at providing analysis for a low-carbon economy. IMBEWU, a Johannesburg-based sustainability legal specialist and the South African member of the Global Climate Network (GCN) is hosting the launch.

Britain’s High Commissioner, Her Excellency Dr Nicola Brewer, will give a keynote address at Wednesday’s evening reception and will hail the GCN as ‘vital’ in the effort to build consensus and support for a transformation to low-carbon economic development. Her speech will be the first major address on climate change in South Africa since the Copenhagen summit ended with a political accord, of which the South African government was an instigator.

Andrew Gilder, IMBEWU’s director who leads the GCN in South Africa said: ‘The GCN is a ground-breaking initiative that brings together some of the world’s best brains on climate change to try and change the terms of the debate. It is our aim to demonstrate the opportunities for an economy like South Africa in pursuing a coherent, government-led framework to spur a low-carbon revolution.’

Simon Retallack, an associate director and head of climate change at London’s Institute for Public Policy Research, where the GCN’s secretariat is based will also attend the Johannesburg launch. Mr Retallack said: ‘After the disappointment of Copenhagen, the GCN offers hope because it brings together leading institutions from all of the biggest emitters and economies in a drive to reframe the climate debate. Our work together on technology and job creation in low-carbon industries is already grabbing the attention of decision makers.’

During the first week of the Copenhagen climate summit, the GCN published its second international synthesis report examining the opportunities in eight countries for job creation through the promotion of low-carbon industries. The report – Low Carbon Jobs in an Interconnected World – estimates that almost 20 million jobs could be created in its member countries in low carbon energy sectors alone. A further version of the report, with new jobs data, is due out in February.

The GCN launch on Wednesday evening will be followed by a lunchtime discussion on Thursday focussing on the implications for business of the Copenhagen summit.

Event Details:
27 January 2010 – 18:00 for 18:30-20.00
Private Evening Reception with the Global Climate Network and IMBEWU Sustainability Legal Specialists (Pty) Ltd

Keynote address: Her Excellency the British High Commissioner to South Africa, Dr. Nicola Brewer

28 January 2010 – 11:45 for 12:15 - 13.30 (followed by buffet lunch)
The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference: Outcomes, Way Forward and Implications for Business

Both events take place at:
IMBEWU Sustainability Legal Specialists (Pty) Ltd
53 Dudley Road, cnr Bolton Ave and Dudley Road

Notes to editors

1. The Global Climate Network is a collaboration of independent, influential and progressive research and policy organisations in countries key to tackling climate change. The Network is committed to addressing the constraints faced by sovereign governments in agreeing international action.

2. The eight national studies conducted as part of this research suggest that 19.7 million new jobs could be created by 2020. This figure is the gross direct, indirect and (in the case of India and Nigeria) induced job creation estimates in each of the national studies. Australia 10,000; China 6.79 million; Germany 360,600; India 10.5 million; Nigeria 670,000; South Africa 845,000; UK 70,000; US 416,600.

3. The Network’s members are:

• Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr), London, also acting as the secretariat for the Network: The UK’s leading progressive think tank with a strong track record on research and policy.
• Center for American Progress, USA: Founded by John Podesta, former Chief of Staff to President Clinton.
• Research Centre for Sustainable Development, China: An institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Dr Jiahua Pan, its director, is one of 12 members of the Chinese Experts Committee for Climate Change.
• The Energy and Resources Institute, India: Directed by Dr R.K. Pachauri, Chairman of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 
• Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Germany: Wuppertal Institute’s ground-breaking climate change work is led by Prof. Dr. Manfred Fischedick. 
• Vitae Civilis, Brazil. Dr Rubens Born, Vitae Civilis’s director, has had significant input into the Brazilian government’s recent climate change plan. 
• International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development, Nigeria: ICEED has expertise in climate change and energy policy.
• The Climate Institute, Australia. Set up in 2005, the Institute is a leading Australian voice in climate research and advocacy, pioneering clean technology and investment solutions with government and business.
• IMBEWU Sustainability Legal Specialists Pty Ltd, South Africa: An influential Johannesburg-based legal consultancy specialising in sustainability law with a strong climate change focus. 

See www.globalclimatenetwork.info

Contacts in London

David Nash, GCN secretariat, +44 (0)7889 092730 / d.nash@ippr.org