PLC_2602_Ass_2

1. Aspect of a Green Paper a. The Green Paper first draft document that is the consultative document drawn up to highlight questions on vital issues that are required to be addressed by the government policy formulation process. It allows the public or any interested parties invited to comment, debate and discuss issues that are to be addressed during policy formulation. It is way of indicating what the government is thinking towards a particular policy. When it is completed it might results in the production of the white paper document. b. A Green Paper is an official document which is drawn as a statement of a possible policy once the preliminary consultations have been completed. The Green Paper identifies policy preferences, provides data supporting and referring to enabling authority of agreements, scholars and research work. It is still aimed at consultation and published in the government gazette for general information and public comment to be submitted to the relevant government entity. A green paper is a document preceded by the publication of a discussion and or a consultative document which assist the government to formulate policy. It can be tablet before cabinet to be approved as official document if a white paper is not contemplated. c. Three major actors involved in the formulation of a Green Paper and their function: i. The executive is the initiator of policy proposals. They develop programme for implementation, they take political responsibility for the policy. ii. Bureaucracies identify deficiencies and loopholes in existing policies, identify policy options and proposals, provide advice to political executive. iii. Interests groups may formulate own policy proposals or approach the legislature with specific proposals for the legislature. The can work with legislative and executive officials to pursue own agenda and often bring valuable technical knowledge to formulate policy iv. Legislative staff is knowledgeable about specific policy areas and play a pivotal role in the formulation of policy. They give consent to Parliamentary Committees for legislation to take place Parliamentary Committees conduct public hearings where inputs from individuals and groups are considered for policy purpose d. The green paper is produced at the policy formulation stage 2. Climate change in South Africa is an important issue in public policy making because a. The government regards climate change as one of the greatest threats to sustainable development. The government also believe that climate change if unmitigated also has the potential to undo or undermine many positive advances made meeting South Africa’s own development and the Millennium Development Goals. b. South Africa as a responsible global citizen committed to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions in order in order to successfully facilitate the agreement and implementation of an effective and binding global agreement on, among other things, greenhouse gas emission reductions.