New Environment Minister Dion George. (OJ Collotty, Gallo Images)
ohA key area of focus for South Africa's new Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Dion George, will be the country's just energy transition towards a low-carbon economy.
“My immediate focus is how South Africa participates in and achieves a just transition that is so important for the country and the world,” said the 58-year-old, who was the Democratic Alliance's finance spokesman. Mail & Guardian Tuesday, the eve of the ministers being sworn in.
George succeeds Barbara Creasy, who is currently Transport Minister. His appointment was announced on Sunday night when President Cyril Rampaposa named his national unity government.
George said he was “fortunate that President Ramaphosa had nominated me as a candidate.” The deputy ministers are Narend Singh, who served as floor leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, and Bernice Schwartz, a former deputy minister of public works and infrastructure.
“This is a very large portfolio and a very important and significant portfolio for our economy,” George said.
“The first thing I'm going to do is understand all the key issues in the portfolio. I come from finance and I was on the finance committee for a long time.”
He added that he had already spoken to members of the Presidential Climate Commission.
“A just energy transition and energy financing are big issues in this portfolio and I see my expertise there, so I'll be particularly focused on developing financial models that can accelerate movement towards a just energy transition, which would be very beneficial for the portfolio and frankly for the country,” George said.
He also wants to determine how the portfolio can have a more beneficial effect on the country's economic growth: “In other words, how can the portfolio accelerate economic growth, especially job creation growth?”
Mr George said Ms Creasy was a “highly competent minister” who had been successful in her role. “I hope to meet and speak to her in the near future. My impression is that the department has been well run and well led by her.”
A catalytic appointment
Endangered Wildlife (EWT) welcomed George's appointment, saying it “looks forward to continuing its strong working relationship with ministries and departments and working with the new Deputy Minister”.
“EWT recognises that protecting the environment and supporting sustainable development for our people requires active engagement with business and finance. We hope that Dr George's appointment will be a catalyst,” he added.
EWT commended outgoing Minister Creecy for his support and willingness to work with the sector, including with NGOs, during his time in office.
Her most notable contributions were introducing the Climate Change Bill in Parliament, which will soon become law, and convening the High-Level Panel, the paper said.
Legislation on the management of rhinos, lions, leopards and elephants has been implemented, leading to a number of groundbreaking developments, including a plan to close down the lion farming industry and a proposed end to commercial rhino farming.
Under Creasey's leadership, South Africa has also committed to a number of international targets, including achieving the targets outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including protecting 30 per cent of its land area and 30 per cent of its oceans by 2030.
The other was to determine the funding required to implement common but differentiated targets for achieving climate adaptation and mitigation in developing and least developed countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Makhoma Lekalakala, director of Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, said: “Overall, we welcome the appointments of the new ministers and expect them to prioritise the interests of South Africa and its people. This includes ensuring free, prior and informed consent, and respecting the right of people to reject projects that may harm them or the environment and adversely affect their livelihoods.”