Durban - An estimated 15 000 tons of CO2 is expected to be produced during COP17 but Durban has a plan to offset the carbon footprint.
The estimation is based on the assumption that 25 000 people will visit the city during the conference and considered factors like accommodation, conference venues, transportation and waste removal logistics.
The initiative is called Community Ecosystem Based Adaptation (Ceba) and is a joint venture between the Wildlands Conservation Trust and the eThekwini municipality. Ceba focuses on the link between communities and the ecosystems and ways in which they can be supported.
According to eThekwini Environmental Planning and Climate Protection deputy head, Debra Roberts, the Durban Ceba Initiative is one of the most exciting elements of the city's broader COP17 greening programme.
Delegates at COP17 will be able to buy "Ceba credits" to offset the carbon footprint of the event.
"It has been adopted as the official voluntary offset mechanism for COP17. Delegates, corporates and residents of Durban will be able to contribute towards the project by buying 'Ceba credits' to play their part in helping offset the environmental impact associated with hosting COP17," said Roberts.
National government is said to be focusing on the other aspects of the carbon footprint, such as international air travel. The city though has been more concerned with the impact on energy and water resources.
The first Ceba project would be the restoration and reforestation of the uMbilo River catchment.
Adaptation will be prioritised to counter the effects of the carbon footprint. Ceba will focus on communities restoring their natural ecosystems, creating cleaner and greener neighbourhoods.
Each Ceba credit will cost about $10 (between R80 and R100), and the money raised will be used for the uMbilo River catchment project.
Roberts said unemployed people from the neighbouring communities will then be employed as 'green collar' workers to first remove alien plants and trees.
The project also involves the planting of indigenous plants and trees and restoration of the riverine, wetland and grassland systems.
Initial funding for the project would come from the city, the corporate sector and through the Wildlands Conservation Trust.
"We want this project to not only benefit the ecological sustainability of the river, but the social sustainability of poor communities along it," said Roberts.
Visit www.durbanceba.org for more information.
