This study assesses potential opportunities and options to promote a green economy in South Africa, with a focus on key economic sectors set out by South Africa’s National Development Plan – Vision 2030. Commissioned by UNEP, the assessment was led by Stellenbosch University and the Sustainability Institute of South Africa, in cooperation with the Millennium Institute.

It presents a modelling exercise that compares a scenario of investments directed to “business-as-usual” (BAU) with scenarios of investments allocated to four critical sectors for a
transition to a green economy in South Africa, namely: natural resource management, agriculture, transport and energy, using UNEP Threshold 21 World model.

The findings from this assessment using the parameters of economic growth, poverty, employment, resource efficiency and climate change, show that the strengthening of natural resource management and environmental protection is fundamental for sustained economic growth and well-being.