EXXARO DRIVES
CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION
AT COP28
A team of Exxaro delegates recently participated in COP28 at the South Africa Pavilion, demonstrating our commitment to addressing climate change and driving transformative initiatives in the mining and energy sectors.
Our presence at COP28 signifies our resolve to forge meaningful partnerships, share our expertise, and collectively explore innovative strategies that prioritise sustainability, decarbonisation, and the preservation of our planet. It also presents us with opportunities to showcase our contribution to South Africa achieving its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) objectives,” said Dr Nombasa.
Over 400 000 politicians, delegates, activists and corporate citizens attended COP28 in Dubai, making it the biggest COP in history and the first to be held in a petrostate. Held from 30 November to 12 December 2023, it offered Exxaro and delegates a platform to engage with diverse stakeholders in addressing the planet’s foremost challenge – climate change.
Why was COP28 so important?
The COP, or ‘Conference of the Parties’, is the United Nations’ annual climate change conference, which brings together world leaders, ministers and negotiators to agree on how to address climate change. COP28 was crucial as it concluded the first global stocktake (GST), the primary tool for assessing worldwide implementation of the Paris Agreement.
What is the Paris Agreement?
It is a legally binding international treaty on climate change that was adopted by 196 Parties at COP21 in Paris on 12 December 2015.
“Exxaro recognises that the path to a sustainable future lies in a blend of resource efficiency, innovation, and renewable energy solutions. We are proud to stand at the forefront of sustainable progress, showcasing our commitment to the responsible and equitable development of natural resources,” said Dr Nombasa.
15 ECD PRACTITIONERS GRADUATE FROM BELFAST MINE’S SKILLS PROGRAMME
Belfast Mine continues to champion the future of education. In November, 15 beneficiaries from its Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme graduated with a National Diploma in Early Childhood Development (NQF Level 5) at Platorand School in Belfast.
Launched in August 2022, the programme aims to equip local ECD practitioners with essential skills for nurturing young children before school, with a key focus on social, cognitive and emotional development and creativity.
ECD practitioners play a very critical role in the development of a child. The practitioners have been doing exceptional work without proper papers and we helped rectify this,” said a proud Musa Mabasa, Belfast Mine Business Unit Manager.
Thabisile Tshabalala, ECD Manager, thanked Exxaro for giving practitioners the necessary skills and knowledge to make a difference in their community. “Teaching kids is not easy, it needs trained people to do it successfully and correctly. Today we are graduates because of Exxaro. We are certified practitioners with skills and knowledge,” he said.
Belfast Mine is committed to enhancing the capabilities of local ECD practitioners and ensuring a strong foundation for child development in its host communities.
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