With an emphasis on resolving the interconnectedness between economic growth, social protection, and the environment, South Africa sees the green economy as a road toward sustainable development.
What is the “Green Economy”?
Two interconnected economic development goals for South Africa are referred to as the “green economy”:
Growing economic activity (which encourages investment, jobs, and competitiveness) in the green industry sector; A change in the economy at large toward cleaner industries and sectors with a low environmental impact compared to its socioeconomic impact.
What does South Africa’s dedication to a green economy look like?
With government agencies establishing efficient implementation plans and green jobs, South Africa’s transition to a green economy is proceeding as planned.
Amidst the current global economic crisis, the UN Environment Programme has urged for Governments are urged to embrace the Global Green New Deal, which calls for a greener economy that generates green jobs, encourages inclusive growth that is sustainable, and advances the achievement of the MDGs. In May 2010, the Department of Environmental Affairs held a Green Economy Strategy Summit in response to a request from the United Nations in order to obtain insightful information on the major concerns and emphasis areas for the green economy.
The government recognizes the opportunity in the development of sectors that battle the adverse effects of climate change in the ensuing framework for South Africa’s reaction to the global economic crisis and encourages South Africa to build strong capability in green technologies.
How South Africa will profit from the Green Economy
These advancements toward a “green economy” are the result of the expanding need to develop and further explain the economic case for environmental management and sustainable development, including stepping up labor-intensive natural resource management programs that support opportunities for decent employment and subsistence.
In the years to come, the pace of green job creation and overall green investments will be accelerated by the need for climate change action and general resource management and protection.
What are some instances of the green economy?
They concentrate on environmental issues like preserving biodiversity and water resources or lowering greenhouse gas emissions, support social protections and workers’ rights, and prioritize economic sectors like forestry, farming, mining, or fishing, among others. They also live locally focus on certain production-related areas.
Exists a South African government plan for adjusting to climate change?
The National Adaptation Strategy serves as a unifying framework for South Africa’s attempts to adapt to climate change and offers a foundation on which the nation’s national climate change adaptation goals can be stated, providing a broad framework for all economic sectors.
