South Africa

South Africa has become one of the largest economies in Africa, benefiting from high levels of industrialization and abundant natural resources. However, economic growth has slowed in recent years, with inequality, poverty, unemployment and exploitation of natural resources increasing. To link economic prosperity with environmental sustainability, the government identified green economy as a national priority beginning in 2010 with its ‘New Growth Path’, followed by a number of commitments,  as in South Africa’s  National Development Plan 2030.

With a comprehensive green economy policy framework already in place when South Africa joined the partnership in 2015, PAGE in South Africa has been structured around improving policy coordination of the existing green economy policies, deepening collaboration between stakeholders and supporting policy implementation.

Achievements to date include a green economy progress measurement framework, social dialogue on Just Transition and contributions towards policy reforms related to green industry, trade, water management and renewable energy.

Following the significant job losses and economic crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, PAGE conducted rapid modelling to offer insights for potential routes for green recovery and continues to provide technical assistance to green South Africa’s COVID-19 economic recovery packages.