Environmental media and sustainability company, alive2green, has confirmed another line-up of conferences, seminars and public lectures for this year's Sustainability Week, which will take place from 17 to 19 June 2014 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria.
The City of Tshwane is this year's host city and will participate in all seminars and dialogues, as well as the exhibition where it will unveil Tshwane's Green Outreach Programme, which forms part of the greater Tshwane Green Economy Strategic Framework.
According to Gordon Brown, director of alive2green, this campaign is a two-year awareness and educational programme aimed at city residents and set to start in June 2014. Sustainability Week's three-day conference will be opened by the executive mayor of Tshwane, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, at the Green Building Conference on 17 June.
"The City of Tshwane's Green Economy Strategic Framework which was approved by a Mayoral Committee in September 2013, encourages a resilient and resource-efficient city that creates jobs, stimulates economic growth and sustainable development," notes Brown.
He says the City Sustainability Unit realised the need for an awareness programme to communicate the framework to the community in a simple yet thought provoking way, which is how the Tshwane Green Outreach Programme was developed. Brown explains that the programme's aim is to encourage residents to change their behaviours and lead sustainable lives.
Ramokgopa notes that the city is on track to achieve its Tshwane Vision 2055.
He explains that by 2055, growth and development in Tshwane will be driven by an economy that supports a sustainable, vibrant, liveable and prosperous city, through integrated ecological, social, economic and spatial agendas that promote human and environmental wellbeing.
"Sustainable mass transportation systems, a non-motorised transport network, diversion of waste from landfills through a multi-waste management and recycling facility, and protection of natural resources are just some of the initiatives which have already gained traction in the implementation of Tshwane's green economy," says Ramokgopa.
Brown notes that in order for SA to benefit from a green economy, such as the green vision of the City of Tshwane, communities and businesses should be properly informed about what is expected of them and how they can positively contribute to a greener SA.
"Sustainability Week is a means to create greater awareness about the current adverse environmental situation in the country, and showcases best practices on how to change behaviour and adopt a more resource efficient approach to production and delivery of services."
Sustainability Week and the City of Tshwane call on all South Africans to contribute to society by shifting towards a greener, more sustainable economy, one that provides for all citizens now and into the future.
"We are very excited to have the City of Tshwane on-board as the host city for Sustainability Week, to share their best practices and learnings for a better, greener and more sustainable society," concludes Brown.
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