Mayor James Nxumalo is confident that Durban is ready to host a successful United Nations Climate Change Conference, (COP17). He said extra security measures were in place to look after the safety of those attending the seminar. “The police have been given a clear instruction regarding strengthening its security measures. Metro Police, SAPS and the South African National Defense Force have been working closely with intelligence agencies to look after visitors who will be in Durban for the conference.”

The 17th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17) takes place from 28 November to 9 December at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. Nxumalo said this major conference will not only boost the profile of the city and province, but will have economic spin-offs. “Visitors will be here for two weeks and more as others will arrive early while others depart to their various destinations long after the conference ended.

During that time they will be spending money which will benefit our hospitality industry and it will boost Durban’s economy” he said. According to economic indicators, Durban’s hospitality industry alone stands a chance of making R500m. About 15 000 people are expected to converge at the ICC, where the event will be hosted. The Mayor said COP17 is one of the most important conferences this City has ever hosted because of the importance of the issues to be discussed. “The coming conference is about how we are going to save what is left of the planet for the future generation.

It calls us to ask the crucial question of what we want our future leaders to inherit.” Nxumalo said it was fitting for the City to host this conference because the Municipality has a number of programmes that are aimed at addressing climate change. “The Municipality has committed itself to do whatever it takes to address the vulnerabilities brought about by climate change.

We are making relevant strides to understand what impact we are likely to experience as a coastal city; and more importantly what should be our collective response.” Metro Police Senior Superintendent Eugene Msomi said it was all systems go. “We are more than ready; we have submitted all the necessary security plans. Today we are training people who will be escorting delegates.” He said there will be an increased deployment of officers for the event, in areas such as the beach front and the core area of the event, the ICC and the Durban Exhibition Centre.

The ICC will also be given “island status”, meaning the UN will take control of the venue and access to the precinct will be limited to accredited people only. All the other logistical arrangements such as transport, hotel accommodation, shuttle services and parking have been finalised with the relevant stakeholders. Meanwhile, in preparation for the conference, the Imagine Durban Project and Energy Office in partnership with the Durban Industry Climate Change Partnership Project (DICCPP) launched the eThekwini Greenhouse Gas (GHG). Presenting the GHG Inventory Report at the Blue Waters Hotel, which outlines details of the entire city’s GHG emissions, Derek Morgan said, Greenhouse Gas Inventory documents the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by a particular organisation or geographic area in a set year. “The Inventory lists all the different activities that produce emissions and quantity emissions per activity in Carbon Dioxide equivalents” he said.

The report was aimed at giving a clear understanding of what our local contribution is to global climate change, in the lead up to COP17. It also gave an over view of the country of where it stood in comparisons to other countries.