Sustainability Week strives to create awareness of environment
The City of Tshwane is this year's host city for the Sustainability Week which will take place from 17-19 June at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria.
Delegates will be able to attend a cocktail function where the Tshwane Green Outreach Programme - which forms part of the greater Tshwane Green Economy Strategic Framework - will be launched on 17 June.
This campaign is a two year awareness and educational programme aimed towards city residents and set to start in June 2014. Sustainability Week's three-day conference will be opened by the executive mayor of Tshwane, Councillor Kgosientso Ramokgopa, at the Green Building Conference, also on 17 June.
The City of Tshwane's Green Economy Strategic Framework is an eco-visionary's masterpiece which encourages a resilient and resource-efficient city that creates jobs, stimulates economic growth and sustainable development. 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, and so the Tshwane Green Outreach Programme was developed.
Aim of programme
The programme's aim is to encourage residents to change their behaviours and lead sustainable lives. Delegates attending this year's coveted Sustainability Week will be rewarded with knowledge and insight into this broad based policy and awareness programme.
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.
"In order for South Africa 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 South Africa," says Gordon Brown, director of alive2green, the environmental media and sustainability company.
"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."
