Reorienting South Africa's economy towards a low-carbon growth trajectory

Abstract

The philosophy of green economies is the new policy direction sweeping across both developed and developing countries alike. Green economies are defined as economic systems organised in such a way that they take into account effects on the environment and the ecosystem. Central to the green economy is the desire to improve people's lives by combating climate change, energy insecurity, and ecological instability. In line with this definition, the green economy in South Africa is viewed as a sustainable development path that is based on its potential to address the interdependence between inclusive economic growth, social protection, and a natural ecosystem. Like any other new policy initiative, the social and economic impacts of a transition to a green economy both in the short and long term is not yet fully understood in South Africa. As such, it is important to assess the implications of the transition to a green economy at country-level using selected indices.