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Green Economy

Green economy is an economic model that aims to reduce environmental risks and ecological scarcities while promoting sustainable development without degrading the environment. The approach seeks to decouple economic growth from resource depletion and environmental harm by prioritising renewable energy, resource efficiency, low-carbon technologies and circular production systems. Green economy principles encompass sectors including renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, waste management, green building, clean transport and ecosystem restoration. The model emphasises job creation in environmentally sustainable industries, often referred to as green jobs, which contribute to preserving or restoring environmental quality while providing decent work. In South Africa, the green economy agenda has gained prominence as the country navigates its energy transition away from coal dependence, with policy frameworks targeting investment in solar, wind and other renewable energy sources to address both loadshedding challenges and climate commitments. The transition requires significant skills development to equip the workforce for emerging green sectors, a priority for government, industry bodies and employers' organisations. Green economy strategies typically integrate environmental, social and governance considerations, aligning with broader sustainability and ESG frameworks that guide corporate and public-sector decision-making. Proponents argue that green economy pathways can deliver inclusive growth, reduce inequality and enhance resilience to climate change, while critics caution that transitions must be managed carefully to avoid job losses in traditional sectors and ensure a just transition for affected workers and communities. The concept gained international traction following the 2008 financial crisis and has been championed by the United Nations Environment Programme and other multilateral institutions as a framework for sustainable development in the twenty-first century.

Green Economy Updates


Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau
Tau says Cabinet-approved industrial strategy to be backed by implementation plan
12th June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says the themes of decarbonisation, diversification, and digitalisation will now anchor South Africa’s Industrial Development Strategy, following... 


Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau
Tau says Cabinet-approved industrial strategy to be backed by implementation plan
26th May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says the themes of decarbonisation, diversification, and digitalisation will now anchor South Africa’s Industrial Development Strategy, following... 


Jobs Fund head Najwah Allie-Edries
Treasury’s Jobs Fund launches 13th funding round
25th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

The National Treasury’s Jobs Fund has officially opened its thirteenth funding round, calling for bold, innovative solutions that can unlock scalable, sustainable employment. Under the theme... 


WESGRO and Enlit Africa 2026 unite to spotlight the Western Cape’s energy investment opportunity
17th April 2026

WESGRO, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, has partnered with Enlit Africa 2026 as a provincial partner, reinforcing the province’s... 


President Cyril Ramaphosa
South Africa wins record investment pledges, but delivery gap persists
14th April 2026 By: Reuters

South Africa's latest investment conference secured record commitments, but official data show that less than half of past pledges have materialised and turned into economic activity. The sixth... 


Africa’s Green Economy Summit 2026 Charts a Course from Vision to Viability
27th February 2026

The Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES) 2026 has opened its doors in Cape Town, marking a pivotal moment in the continent's economic trajectory. Convening a powerful coalition of policymakers,... 


Climate finance growing
26th February 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Global climate finance – public and private, international and domestic – had now reached a little over $1.9-trillion a year, Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) USA Global MD Dr Barbara Buchner has... 


Debt-for-nature swaps need commitment
24th February 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

A financing instrument often referred to, regarding green development and conservation, is the debt-for-nature swap. But what is a debt-for-nature swap? This was the topic for a panel discussion on... 


Africa's Green Economy Summit 2026 to unveil Africa's premier pipeline of investment-ready green ventures making a difference toward net zero goals
Africa's Green Economy Summit 2026 to unveil Africa's premier pipeline of investment-ready green ventures making a difference toward net zero goals
12th December 2025

Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES 2026) is set to host an unparalleled showcase of investment-ready green economy projects from across the continent. With over 100 applications meticulously... 


An image showing a circular economy concept
New report outlines benefits for companies from green economy, includes advice for CEOs
2nd December 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The green economy has reached $5-trillion a year and is on track to exceed $7-trillion within the decade, a new report, ‘Already a Multi-Trillion-Dollar Market: A CEO Guide to Growth in the Green... 


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