UK befriends developing nations ahead of talks
July 15, 2009
Yesterday, the British high commission in South Africa linked a group of journalists to Energy and Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock. She was upfront in assessing the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which had left people with "bad experiences".
The Bretton Woods institutions were regarded with suspicion by the South for implementing a version of market fundamentalism via much-maligned structural adjustment programmes, forcing nations who sought loans into an economic mindset that often required deep cuts in social spending, hurting the poor most.
Ruddock said the disbursement of funds for climate change simply could not be analogous to that.
She highlighted the need for a body to be created with "equal representation", as well as the reform of existing institutions that would take on some of the delivery responsibility.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently proposed a $100 billion (R820bn) finance package to fund climate change mitigation and adaptation, which was welcomed as the first attempt by a developed nation to try to break the impasse in negotiations for a post-Kyoto deal on global warming.
Without funding, developing nations will be less inclined to commit to lower carbon emission trajectories.
Ruddock would not be drawn on whether developing countries should qualify for finance based on whether they have low-carbon strategies in place.
Asked whether South Africa's long-term carbon development strategy was consistent with building further coal-fired power stations, she said that although some countries could do without coal, emerging economies like China, India and "to an extent" South Africa, would need to use indigenous sources of energy.
Ruddock believes that coal-fired power is potentially consistent with keeping average global temperature increases below 2°C - a target agreed to by the Group of Eight industrialised nations at their summit in Italy last week and the level above which scientists forecast catastrophic consequences - provided technologies like carbon capture and storage become commercially viable.
Cheap advertising
Consumers once again seem to have been had, including this writer. Unilever, the giant industrial group that makes Dove Soap, Flora margarine and Lipton hot and cold beverages, has been ordered by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to withdraw unsubstantiated claims relating to its Sunlight washing powder.
Clearly targeting shoppers who are trying to spend less in tight economic times, Unilever states boldly on its Sunlight washing powder packet that it is a two-in-one washing powder and fabric softener.
Being slightly cheaper than other brands, and boosted by this impressive claim, it landed in my shopping trolley, as I am sure it did with many other shoppers. I felt rather pleased that I had scored two products for the price of one.
I had not noticed the other claim that it contains pure and natural ingredients. But if I had I would have been even more compelled to buy it. Doing my bit for the environment, and all.
But it turns out these claims are false. Following a complaint from competitor Bliss Chemicals, which makes MAQ washing powder, the ASA ruled against Unilever on both counts.
The ASA said in a statement on its website that the evidence submitted to it by Unilever from Laboratory Solutions did not confirm that its product was both a washing powder and a fabric softener.
Unilever was also unable to provide independent verification of its claim that it used pure and natural ingredients. It now has to withdraw all claims until such time it can provide adequate proof.
Of course Unilever will now have to pull a large number of products from supermarket shelves across the country and repackage the offending washing powder, no doubt at great expense.
What can I say? Shame?
Once-off policing effort?
Yesterday, the eThekwini Municipality Strategic Project Unit, which is responsible for delivering Durban's 2010 World Cup projects, had its monthly 2010 update focusing on safety and security.
Addressing journalists was Steven Middleton, a deputy chief at eThekwini Metro Police.
This is one of the most important issues ahead of the tournament, especially because South Africa is notorious for its crime rate.
The documents are thick. In Durban alone, there will be 2 800 law officers on the ground, although not all of them will be dedicated to 2010. On match day, there would be up to 500 metro police on duty in the 2010 designated areas, while SA Police Services would have more.
Middleton gave his word that the day-to-day operations would still receive attention, meaning a person who needs police assistance for an incident that is not related to 2010 will get it. The extra manpower will remain after the World Cup.
From Middleton's presentation, it is clear that all the country's safety and security organs want to ensure that the 483 000 expected visitors are protected all the time.
It would be appreciated if these institutions could maintain the same level of dedication and commitment beyond the World Cup for the 48 million citizens who have to deal with brutal criminals every day in their own country.
Edited by Peter DeIonno. With contributions by Ingi Salgado, Samantha Enslin-Payne and Slindile Khanyile
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