Developing a renewable energy economy model for the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve.
Key objectives: Promotion of sustainable practices that will see a shift toward a renewable energy economy and “greening of the biosphere”.
Overview
South Africa’s Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR) is like a small country with a peri-urban and rural environment. It has remarkable natural and cultural assets, but rising unemployment and poverty. There is increasing pressure for development and as a Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO, sustainable development is a priority in the CWCBR. Sun and wind are found in ample abundance in the CWCBR, and an experimental wind farm has been in operation for some time. It is therefore a suitable area in which to explore conversion to a renewable and sustainable energy economy.
The vision and goals of the CWCBR and their approach to greening the biosphere are therefore aligned with global imperatives to adopt an integrated, participative and catalytic approach towards protecting biodiversity, mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development.
Key to integrating development with conservation and heritage preservation is the promotion of sustainable practices that will see a shift toward a renewable energy economy and “greening of the biosphere”. The CWCBR aims to learn from Germany and Denmark in developing a renewable energy economy model for the biosphere.
In addition, in line with the need to create a market for renewable energy, and in keeping with its tradition of community involvement, the CWCBR Company aims to engage local stakeholder groups (schools, hostels, business, farmers, government) from key sectors (education, property development including construction and architecture, fishing, agriculture, tourism and mining) in developing and implementing a strategy and action plan to implement the model.
Related actions: The Green Building
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