Pretoria - In an effort to have a resource efficient and sustainable economy, government and various stakeholders will gather in Johannesburg this week for the Green Economy Summit.
President Jacob Zuma is expected to deliver a key note address at the three-day summit, themed, "Towards a resource efficient, low carbon and pro-employment growth path".
The summit will explore different elements contributing to economic growth, environmental protection and social well-being and indicate key areas that should be included in the National Green Economy Plan as well as to establish a mutual understanding among all key sectors of the economy.
It will also consider international best practice, take stock of actions undertaken by different organisations and focus on critical issues such as alternative and clean energy, sustainable transport, green buildings and built environment, sustainable consumption and production, green cities and towns, among others.
Government has identified the green economy as one of the key elements in the New Growth Path as well as the Industrial Policy Action Plan.
"The South African Government affirms that a Global transition to a low-carbon, resource efficient and sustainable economy has a potential to create jobs across many sectors of the economy, and indeed can become an engine of development," the Department of Environmental Affairs said in a statement.
It is envisaged that over 500 participants, including several cabinet ministers, business, non-governmental organisations and the environmental sector will attend the summit.
As part of the Copenhagen Accord, South Africa has signalled that it would take nationally appropriate mitigation action to enable a 34 percent deviation below the business as usual emissions growth trajectory by 2020, and a 42 percent deviation below the trajectory by 2025.
The summit will be hosted by the Departments of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, Science and Technology as well as Trade and Industry.
