The winners of the 2015 Greenest Municipality Competition have been announced at an awards ceremony (2 November), hosted by the Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell.
The greenest Local Municipality in the Western Cape in 2015 is Hessequa Municipality and the greenest District Municipality is Eden District Municipality.
The Greenest Municipality Competition rewards innovative municipalities who support the Green Economy through initiatives like solar energy projects, greening programmes and reducing greenhouse emissions.
Criteria evaluated for the Greenest Municipality Competition includes waste management, climate change response, biodiversity & coastal management, water management and conservation, air quality management, leadership, compliance, institutional arrangements and public participation.
Minister Bredell congratulated the winners and the participants in this year’s competition:
“These awards showcase how the Western Cape Government is developing a cleaner and more sustainable future for our children. We want to recognize municipalities that have worked extremely hard to achieve their green economy targets. They are an example to us all.”
This year’s winners are:
GREENEST MUNICIPALITY 2015 :
Local Municipalities
1st Place : Hessequa Municipality
Prize Money: R130 000
2nd Place: Mosselbay Municipality
Prize Money: R70 000
3rd Place: Swartland Municipality
Prize Money: R50 000
District Municipalities
1st Place: Eden District Municipality
Prize Money : R130 000
2nd Place: Overberg District Municipality
Prize Money: R70 000
3rd Place: Cape Winelands District Municipality
Prize Money: R50 000
A total of 16 Local and 4 District Municipalities participated in the 2015 competition.
Ronald Mukanya, Director: Sustainability, said: “Municipalities are central to the transition to a green economy. They have the power to stimulate investment in low carbon businesses through land-use, service delivery, regeneration and spatial planning programs. Councils also have significant scope to influence residents’ behaviour through public education. Energy efficiency, green skills training and neighbourhood management schemes can all be promoted through financial rewards or penalties.”
Karen Shippey, Chief Director: Environmental Sustainability said awareness of threats to our resources is not enough anymore: “We need to act now to secure a more sustainable future, with an improved quality of life for residents. These Municipalities are striving to deliver services in a far more resource efficient way, we commend them for this achievement.
James-Brent Styan
Media Liaison Officer
Ministry of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Western Cape Government
Telephone : 021 483 2820
E-mail : James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za
Website : www.westerncape.gov.za
Rudolf van Jaarsveldt
Head of Communication
Western Cape Government Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Telephone : 021 483 4051
Mobile : 076 3195 027
Email : Rudolf.vanJaarsveldt@westerncape.gov.za
Website : www.westerncape.gov.zza/eadp