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It is obvious that explaining in depth the information policy of the European Community and the role that the Publications Office is playing in that context would normally require a much longer period of time that we can actually afford today. My aim will therefore be to try to give you the best possible general survey on those matters and to leave it to your possible later questions to come back and go further into details on particular topics. In order to ease your following this intervention I will just say a few words about the articulation of my speech.

I am interested in one problem. As far as I know, at present the EEC is working on the new classification of means of production. Apparently, the work is almost completed and the system is to be implemented this or next year. It is a very important issue with regard to access to business information. Is it possible to obtain more information about this system? And are the information agencies such as EuroOp interested in constructing in Poland a proper system of classification of means of production, which would facilitate the exchange of information in the shortest possible time?

According to the programme I am to speak to you about Online in Poland, but I am afraid that since this is my first visit to your country I will have to admit that my factual knowledge of this topic is somewhat limited, not about online, but online in Poland. Most of all I know I just learnt in this congress what I am absolutely certain of — going online here is possible. I know because we have a stand in the exhibition in the next room and we are online giving demonstrations of our databases. The other thing is that the online information that we provide is available to you and can be found.

Globally, climate change governance continues to be a significant challenge to policymakers, environmentalists and politicians despite international summits, conferences and programmes designed to find sustainable solutions to the climate change crises. Climate change continues to be viewed primarily as a challenge for the future, whereas many leaders and administrators globally regard it as an environmental issue rather than a challenge that encompasses all aspects of life. In South Africa, these misleading perceptions of climate change continue to prevail both at national and local levels. The government and private organisations do not attach the required levels of urgency needed to address the climate change crisis. While numerous policies and institutions have been established to address these challenges, they lack financial backing, coordination and synergy that cut across the broad objectives of environmental, social and economic agendas. Additionally, weak, eroding trust and manipulating of institutions continue to hinder effective policy implementation and focus-driven governance. This paper aims to explore the structural and governance weaknesses of climate change administration in the KwaZulu-Natal province and South Africa in general.

This paper used extensive literature reviews and a triangulated approach to investigate the weaknesses of the current governance structure in the context of institutional and capacity constraints.

The findings uncovered that most institutions and organisations mandated to address climate change challenges operate in silos, lack required investment and capacity and have weak accountability mechanisms with a shallow understanding of climate change governance.

This paper recommends better coordination between national, provincial and local governments as well as the private sector towards climate change activities and capacity to ensure that climate change actions are effectively implemented.