Durban - A climate change policy framework for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is expected to be launched ahead COP17.
Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said the policy will provide SOEs with a clear indication of their role in mitigating carbon emissions.
The department wants to be able to track SOEs' impact and learning processes related to the climate change challenge.
Gigaba was addressing the media at the Dube Tradeport on Wednesday afternoon after meeting with provincial government and SOE leaders to outline capital plans for infrastructure development.
He said it was imperative that SOEs examine how to expand infrastructure development in a carbon efficient way.
Gigaba made reference to the World Bank's $250 million loan to Eskom as a means to produce clean energy. A Wind Power Plant in Sere (Western Cape) and the Concentrated Solar Power Plant in Upington (Northern Cape) will be built, and each of the plants will generate 100 MW of power.
Discussions centred on plans for the development and expansion of services provided by the likes of Broadband Infraco, Eskom, South African Airways (SAA) and Transnet.
Gigaba mentioned that Transnet has reached an agreement with Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) on the sale of the old Durban airport but said it was a medium to long term project when pressed for details.
There are also plans for Broadband Infraco to expand broadband connectivity to nine more areas in the province. Ugu, Umgungundlovu, Uthukela, Zululand, Umzinyathi, Umkhanyakude, Ilembe and Uthungulu districts are all said to benefit from broadband infrastructure in the next five years.
Government is also looking to integrate operations at the various ports around the country. Gigaba said operations and systems at ports must support one another.
SA Airways and Express airlines, meanwhile, are looking into flights that will depart from the King Shaka airport to countries in the SADC region and other parts of Africa.
Gigaba said government would also like to see more international airlines fly directly to Durban and are in talks with two companies.
