High level group to guide and support Urban-LEDS II project in South Africa

The Urban-LEDS ll Summit held in Braamfontein, Johannesburg opened on 29 May 2018 with the inception meeting of the Urban-LEDS ll National Project Advisory Group (NPAG). This is a high-level group comprised of representatives from leaders in low emissions and climate resilient development in South Africa.

The purpose of the National Project Advisory Group (NPAG) is to provide specific in-country advice and expertise to support the successful implementation of the Urban Low Emissions Development Strategies Project in South Africa from April 2017 to March 2021. The NPAG is to serve as forum for project recipients and partners to:

• Share knowledge and experience;
• Provide input and steer city related project implementation;
• Raise issues to do with project implementation; and
• Identify synergies with other work NPAG members are aware of to increase impact of the Urban-LEDS ll project.

The NPAG is a key structure of the project to enable improved multi-level governance for climate action. At present, the NPAG consists of the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Energy Research Centre at the University of Cape Town, and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The NPAG will be co-chaired by DEA and SALGA.

The NPAG was formally introduced to the Urban-LEDS ll project and a dialogue held on key opportunities and challenges to take in to consideration for implementation. Additionally, synergies with existing or upcoming work by these partners was identified and discussed.

We are honoured to be partnering with these organisation to guide the project and welcome them on the Urban-LEDS ll journey.