As communities around the globe celebrate Earth Day today, local government departments focusing on our environment are taking stock of the growing demands being placed on them as our country navigates the fast-evolving green policy landscape. This year’s Earth Day theme – Planet vs Plastics – has highlighted the urgency of environmental reforms and responsiveness, especially around sustainability-led governance. For South Africa, it also marks a critical checkpoint in our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, more recently, its alignment with the G20’s environmental and climate priorities.
With South Africa gearing up to host the G20, Earth Day has created an additional “pause point” to evaluate the critical work already being done in the sustainability space – and how much more is needed. “Earth Day is more than a symbolic moment. It’s a call to action for those shaping and implementing public policy,” says Sphiwe Masuku, Fundi’s Head of Brand and Marketing. “In South Africa, this means equipping our public servants from municipal to national level with the knowledge and tools they need to lead the shift towards more sustainable governance and service delivery. Their ability to do so directly impacts our ability to honour our G20 and SDG targets.” Recent developments in this space reflect a rapidly changing regulatory environment in the green economy, many of which now need to be fast-tracked in response to policy decisions made by the US. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)’s Draft National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Just Transition Framework, alongside updates to the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and new disclosure requirements linked to ESG reporting and procurement, are placing increasing demands on those working within government departments, municipalities and SOEs, for example. “These reforms are critical to transitioning our economy, but they also require a new level of technical, regulatory and systems knowledge that many current public servants were never formally trained in,” Masuku explains.
“We are seeing growing numbers of public sector employees investing in their own education and training to keep up, particularly in areas including ESG reporting, sustainable infrastructure development, green procurement and circular economy models. This is encouraging and a trend that Fundi is well placed to continue supporting through our various funding solutions geared towards public servants.”
She notes that Fundi expects to see increased demand for education funding in the environmental and sustainability space – particularly for short courses, diplomas and postgraduate qualifications aligned to green economy competencies. These include public administration programmes with an ESG lens, climate policy and governance studies, and certification in sustainable procurement and environmental auditing. “New job opportunities are evolving as a result of these new needs, and we are seeing many individuals step-up to take full advantage of them; often becoming pioneers in these spaces.
“By investing in their own learning, public servants are not only enhancing their career prospects but contributing meaningfully to a more sustainable, resilient South Africa. This aligns perfectly with the commitments we’ve made on the global stage, including at COP28 and the G20.”
As the world reflects on the passing of another Earth Day, Fundi encourages departments – especially those of Environmental Affairs, Water and Sanitation, Transport, Energy, Trade and Industry, and Local Government – to see education as a powerful tool for transformation. “Education is the lever we need to unlock sustainability. Without it, policy will stall. If we equip ourselves with education however, we can lead the continent and build a future that honours the promise of Earth Day – for ourselves, our country and our planet,” she concludes.
