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Graduating Country

Boat at a harbor in Cape Town

South Africa is one of the largest economies in Africa, with high levels of industrialization and vast natural resources. However, South Africa continues to grapple with low economic growth, high levels of inequality, unemployment and poverty. The economic and employment fallout resulting from the COVID-19 crisis has further exacerbated these challenges. South Africa celebrated seven years of PAGE work in October 2022 after joining the partnership in 2015. It is now a Graduating Country.

The partnership in South Africa has contributed to progress towards SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and cut across several other SDGs, including SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 15 (Life on Land) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals), as well as South Africa’s NDCs.

  1. 2023

    PAGE Sustainability report updated and published

  2. 2022

    Closing ceremony. South Africa becomes an Alumni country.

    Circular Economy Awards

    Green Finance Taxonomy; Development of a Carbon Trading Framework for blue and Green credits

  3. 2021

    Final results of PAGE COVID-19 IGE Rapid Modelling exercise shared

    Perspectives on a Green Technology Gap Analysis Report completed

    Green Jobs for a better future dialogue series conducted

    Perspectives on Advancing an Inclusive and Sustainable Green Economy in South Africa” published

    2021 Driving Force for Change II Youth Challenge conducted

    Imvelisi African Enviroprenuer programme conducted

    Just Energy Transition Partnership; Extended Producer Responsibility Regulation; Hydrogen Society Roadmap; Just Transition Framework

  4. 2020

    Training workshop on “Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Opportunities”

    Feasibility study for Biomaterials in South Africa launched at PAGE-hosted side event at Bio Africa Convention

    PAGE COVID-19 IGE Rapid Modelling exercise launched

    GEP Measurement Framework for South Africa launched

    Validation workshop GEP Measurement Framework for South Africa

  5. 2019

    Third PAGE Ministerial Conference held in Cape Town

    Green Jobs Assessment Institutions Network (GAIN) regional training hub for Africa launched by ILO and University of Pretoria at the Ministerial Conference

    Green economy e-learning incorporated into the Centre for Environment Management (CEM) course portfolio

    Roundtable discussion with labour movements under O.R. Tambo debate series on Just Transition

    2050 Vision Pathways on Just Transition in South Africa finalized

    Dashboard of green economy and environmental sustainability indicators to track South Africa’s progress developed

    South Africa Green Economic Modelling (SAGEM) report updated to include system dynamics models on the water bio-diversity nexus

    National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy; Carbon Tax Act

    Draft national sustainability plan produced

  6. 2018

    National Academy on Green Economy held with stakeholders from all nine provinces

    Training workshop held on the Green Economy Progress Measurement (GEP) Framework for several government departments

    Validation workshop on Bio-composite Action Plan and Implementation Strategy held

    Roundtable discussion with youth formations under O.R. Tambo debate series on Just Transition

  7. 2017

    Green Economy Learning Assessment developed

    Training of trainers on developing e-learning for green economy delivered

    Two discussion papers informing OR Tambo Debate Series on renewable energy pathways

  8. 2016

    National Steering Committee (NSC) established

    Green Economy Inventory conducted

    Green Economy Industry and Trade Analysis (GEITA) completed

  9. 2015

    South Africa joins PAGE

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