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02 October 2023

People at the Heart of PAGE work – Jenitha Badul

Discover the People at the heart of PAGE work interview featuring people that have collaborated with PAGE at a given time. The purpose is to voice experiences, opinions, and insights on how the green economy is evolving and how the green economic transformation is being implemented around the world. In this interview, Dr. Jenitha Badul shares her experience in advancing an Inclusive and Green Economy in South Africa.

“Inclusive green economy was beginning to gain traction in South, with visible pockets of excellence evident both from application of green economy imperatives in working with the private sector and enabling policy environment”

Jenitha is the Senior Policy Advisor for Sustainability Programmes and Projects, and has been with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, since February 2003. Her professional experience is on project management, planning, coordination and implementation of green and circular economy initiatives across spheres of government, including research outputs, related publications and capacity building initiatives, in collaboration with donor country partners and United Nations Agencies and industry partners. She provides oversight on the National Green Fund. As the focal point, she coordinates both multi-lateral (Partnership for Action on the Green Economy, Switch Africa Green and Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals) and bilateral donor-funded programmes. She coordinates Programme-specific and other governance structures. Other coordination activities include event greening and SMME green enterprise support programmes. Jenitha holds a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science – Honors (University of Natal), a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Pathology (University of Durban-Westville). She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Management, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (University of South Africa) an Executive Certificate in Environmental Governance, (Graduate Institute on International and Development Studies, Geneva- Switzerland) and a Certificate in Strategic Business Management (University of Cape Town).

Q1. When was your first contact with the PAGE team?

South Africa’s engagement with PAGE was as a result of a buildup of several key events.

Engagement with the International Labour Organization (ILO), commenced in 2013 through the Green Jobs Assessment Institutions Network (GAIN) in 2013, closely followed by undertaking joint efforts in advancing the understanding of green jobs, sector specific contributions to green jobs. We hosted capacity building sessions under specific sectors, viz., introduction to green and decent jobs, waste management and natural resource management, respectively. These sessions targeted participation from provincial government counterparts, non-government organizations (NGOs) and a select number of private sector partners.

Given the intention of the public sector, signaling its intention to pursue an inclusive low carbon and climate resilient pathway, through the hosting of the first National Green Economy Summit, the official release of the New Growth Path, green jobs assessment report (undertaken between the Industrial Development Corporation – IDC and the Development Bank of Southern Africa – DBSA) and establishment of the Green Fund, as a catalytic fund; partnering with the Global Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) recognized synergies, through sharing of common vision to transition South Africa to an inclusive, low carbon and climate resilient economy, in the long term. Subsequently, South Africa joined the PAGE Programme, in 2015.

photo portrait of Jenitha Badul

Q2. What was the IGE perception at that time in South Africa?

The concept of inclusive green economy gained traction through the hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002. The Joburg Plan of Implementation aimed at development of national strategies, amongst other key deliverables. The development of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) gave direction to IGE, as a means of implementation to advancing social, economic and environmental imperatives.

Inclusive green economy was beginning to gain traction in South, with visible pockets of excellence evident both from application of green economy imperatives in working with the private sector and enabling policy environment. The official publication of the National Development Plan, Vision 2030 (NDP), in 2011, with the objective of sustainable economic growth and socio-economic transformation, also addressed the transition to an inclusive low carbon economy, through Chapter 5 of the NDP.

"The pursuit of a developmental agenda for South Africa, as an emerging economy, requires investment, time, capacity, amongst other key imperatives, in its transition."

Q3. How has IGE evolved in the country since then?

At present, there are several key policy levers which are aligned to South Africas vision in transitioning to an inclusive, low carbon and climate resilient economy. These key levers include the development of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, Commercialization Plan, Just Energy Transition Partnership and Implementation Plan, the Carbon Tax Act of 2019, and Climate Change bill. In addition, being a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), ratification of the Paris Agreement and the recent review of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), point to South Africa’s commitment to its long-term vision.

 

Q4. What are the challenges and opportunities for South Africa in advancing an Inclusive and Green Economy?

The pursuit of a developmental agenda for South Africa, as an emerging economy, requires investment, time, capacity, amongst other key imperatives, in its transition. Whilst political will and an enabling policy environment may be in place, there are several key areas which are vital to advancing South Africa’s transition to an inclusive, low carbon and climate resilient economy. These are inclusive of the following, although, not exhaustive:

  • Advancing relevant and timely research output which inform policy imperatives,
  • Addressing the skilling of workforce in new and emerging sectors, through ongoing and sustainable capacity building.
  • Access to finance to implement at-scale interventions,
  • Consideration of blended finance instruments,
  • Transitioning hard to abate sectors, inclusive of value chain transformation.

"For South Africa, more specifically, the PAGE Programme has facilitated and built capacity on green economy, contributed immensely to the existing knowledge base on green economy, forged closer working relations through the establishment of the PAGE National Steering Committee (NSC) and aimed at identifying new and emerging industry opportunities (...)"

Q5.  How do you describe PAGE impact in South Africa?

For South Africa, more specifically, the PAGE Programme has facilitated and built capacity on green economy, contributed immensely to the existing knowledge base on green economy, forged closer working relations through the establishment of the PAGE National Steering Committee (NSC) and aimed at identifying new and emerging industry opportunities. The PAGE-SA Programme leaves behind significant levers, which inform the transition to an inclusive, low carbon and climate resilient economy.

 

Q6. What is the strength of a programme like PAGE?

The PAGE Programme, through its convening power and support of five United Nations Agencies, has the ability to advance research and training output, encourage social dialogue, build networks and facilitate engagements between like-minded countries, which are in pursuit of transitioning to an inclusive, low carbon economy, in advancing sustainable development imperatives for developing and emerging economies.

Learn more about PAGE in South Africa

South Africa celebrated seven years of PAGE work in October 2022 after joining the partnership in 2015. It is now a Graduating Country. PAGE has contributed especially to progress towards Decent Work and Economic Growth.

PAGE provided analysis and policy support through reports, knowledge products, outreach material and research related materials. All are available on the Knowledge Hub.

 

South Africa

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