Poverty and employment impacts of the transition to a green economy

Abstract

This chapter discusses the poverty and employment impacts, especially on the vulnerable poor, of the transition to a green economy in South Africa. Evidence is reviewed from green growth literature in order to assess the extent to which developing countries such as South Africa can move to a greener path through contributing to global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The chapter argues that the opportunities represented by a transition to a green economy need to ensure that both the interventions towards adaptation and mitigation and the resultant development path address immediate and pressing development concerns with minimal impacts on the poor.