Tshwane wins Earth Hour challenge

27 March 2015 - 17:16 By Sipho Masombuka and Dominic Skelton
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Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa.
Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa.
Image: Tsheko Kabasia

Tshwane metropolitan municipality is the most green city in South Africa, beating contenders City of Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay metros by winning the local leg of the Earth Hour Global Capital challenge.

Tomorrow is Earth Hour day in which people are encouraged to turn-off lights for an hour to raise awareness about climate change.

According to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), a panel of international experts was impressed by the Tshwane's Sustainability Unit located at the heart of decision-making within council.

Green Buildings by-law, the only one in the country, energy efficient municipal buildings, bus rapid transport, construction of bicycle lanes, introduction of low-carbon vehicles and greener fuel for the municipal fleet impressed judges.

Also noted was the city's fitting of energy saving bulbs for street lights, solar water heating, Food and Energy Centre and air quality monitoring stations.

WWF-SA CEO, Morné du Plessis, lauded Tshwane for its commitment to emissions-reduction.

“The city’s green building by-law reflects strong policy leadership as do the impressive actions the city has taken to improve energy efficiency in its municipal buildings,” he said.

Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa said there was no other option but to switch to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and climate resilient city.

“I am humbled by the panel's decision to select Tshwane as the South African Earth Hour Capital, it is indeed encouraging to see that our efforts are being recognised and I take this as motivation for us to further enhance our current sustainability efforts,” he said.

To celebrate, the municipality will today (Friday) host a race in which teams of Tshwane University of Technology students, WWF and municipal officials would navigate the city using public transport and non-motorised transport competing for the lowest carbon footprint.

It is not over for the City of Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay though, as they still get a chance to join Tshwane and 41 other international cities vying for the global title to be announced in Seoul, South Korea, next month. The three metros will be competing against cities such as Paris, Vancouver, Seattle and Rio de Janeiro.

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