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The South Africa Green Economy Barometer 2018 evaluates the country's transition toward a fair, green economy, awarding it a score of 5 out of 10. While South Africa possesses strong policy foundations, such as the National Development Plan and the 2011 Green Economy Accord, the report finds that the economy remains locked into carbon-intensive 'brown' systems, particularly in energy and mining, and fails to adequately include marginalized populations and the informal sector in its transition.

This policy brief examines the disconnect between water resource management and economic development planning in the Berg Water Management Area (WMA). It warns of severe economic losses and job deficits by 2040 due to water constraints and advocates for integrated planning, the potential creation of a regional water utility, and increased support from the Western Cape Government to help municipalities manage water augmentation and financing.

This case study describes a resource recovery project facilitated by the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) between Pallet Cycle and Apollo Brick. Following a fire at Pallet Cycle's storage facility, WISP arranged for Apollo Brick to repurpose the resulting waste material, diverting it from landfills and providing economic and environmental benefits to both companies.

WISP facilitated a partnership between Scan Display and Sealand Gear in 2015 to repurpose discarded event banners. This collaboration diverts 2 tonnes of polytwirl from landfills annually, avoids 54 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, and generates R270,000 in annual material savings for Sealand Gear.

This report by WWF South Africa explores the business case for introducing electric orchard tractors in South Africa's horticultural sector. It identifies a significant market opportunity to replace small diesel tractors with electric alternatives for low-energy applications, highlighting potential carbon emission savings, socio-economic benefits through local manufacturing, and the financial viability of a lower total cost of ownership despite higher initial capital costs.

This report evaluates the potential for solar thermal heating in South African hospitals to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and electricity. While the current adoption is very low (less than 0.5% of thermal demand), the study finds that 20-40% of the 370 GWh annual thermal energy requirement could be met by solar thermal systems. A case study at Paarl Provincial Hospital demonstrates that such systems can be financially viable, achieving a 10% internal rate of return and a levelised cost of heat (LCOH) of R0,62/kWh, even when competing with energy-efficient heat pumps. However, widespread adoption is hindered by high upfront costs, outdated infrastructure, asbestos roofing, and a preference for solar PV systems.

This report by WWF South Africa outlines the business and climate case for redirecting surplus food—edible food that is not 'true waste'—from farms and firms to people in need. It identifies significant opportunities for greenhouse gas mitigation and socio-economic benefit, while highlighting systemic barriers such as liability concerns and date labelling.

This report analyzes the political and economic implications of Cyril Ramaphosa's narrow victory at the African National Congress (ANC) 54th national conference in December 2017. The author argues that while the result averted a major party split, South Africa remains in a "muddling along" scenario characterized by deep factional divisions and economic fragility. The document examines the prospects for the 2019 elections, the potential recall of Jacob Zuma, and the need for structural reforms to avoid credit rating downgrades and stimulate growth.

This report examines water as a constraint to economic development in the Berg Water Management Area (WMA) of South Africa. It introduces a regional hydro-economic GIS tool and a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) tool for Saldanha Bay to move away from first-come-first-served water allocation toward a system based on socio-economic outcomes. Key findings indicate that while the City of Cape Town dominates the regional economy, municipalities like Swartland, Saldanha Bay, and Bergrivier face significant future development constraints due to water scarcity. The report recommends establishing a regional water utility, creating innovative financing mechanisms for infrastructure, and better integrating water availability into Integrated Development Plans (IDPs).

This case study examines the state of e-commerce in South Africa as of 2017, analyzing its scale, regulatory environment, and potential for economic inclusion. It highlights a growing market dominated by a few key players and a legislative framework primarily governed by the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 2002. The document identifies significant supply-side infrastructure gaps and demand-side trust issues as primary barriers to growth, while suggesting that e-commerce could be a vital tool for the empowerment of women and the poor.

This report by GreenCape identifies business opportunities for adding value to lignocellulosic biomass waste streams in the Western Cape, South Africa. It analyzes five primary streams: invasive alien vegetation (IAV), industrial composite wood materials, pallets, paper sludge, and green waste, evaluating their current utilization, logistical challenges, and potential for transformation into higher-value products or energy.

This report by GreenCape identifies business opportunities for adding value to livestock waste streams, specifically manure and abattoir waste, within the Western Cape of South Africa. It details the regional distribution of waste sources, current disposal methods, and the regulatory and technical barriers to implementing value-addition technologies like anaerobic digestion and composting.

This report by GreenCape identifies business opportunities for value addition from industrial organic wastewater in the Western Cape, South Africa. It highlights the potential for recovering resources like biogas, starch, and whey from the agro-processing sector, while noting significant barriers related to wastewater volumes and capital requirements.

A collection of five South African case studies detailing value-addition methods for livestock value chain residues, focusing on biogas production, insect protein, and composting.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted comments to the National Council of Provinces regarding the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill [B 15D-2013]. The CER argues that the legislative process has been procedurally irregular, potentially leading to a constitutional challenge, and expresses concern that new amendments dilute community participation and environmental protections.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines climate adaptation readiness in Southern Africa by analyzing the region's response to the severe 2015/16 El Niño-induced drought. The author argues that while the El Niño cycle is a natural phenomenon, the resulting drought serves as a critical test of the region's institutional and policy capacity to handle severe environmental stress. The paper identifies significant gaps in national and regional response capacities, highlighting the need for a shift from reactive 'response' to proactive 'prevention' and the scaling of successful local and regional adaptation strategies.

The 2017 Shadow Report, compiled by the South African History Archive (SAHA) for the Access to Information Network (ATIN), evaluates compliance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA) between 1 August 2016 and 31 July 2017. Based on 408 requests, the report finds widespread non-compliance by public bodies, particularly regarding statutory timeframes and the high rate of deemed refusals. It highlights systemic issues such as the misuse of request transfers, inadequate reasons for refusal, and the lack of transparency in state surveillance and environmental reporting.

This 2017 industry brief by GreenCape examines the financial viability, financing options, and regulatory landscape for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations for businesses in the Western Cape, South Africa. It highlights the role of local government policy, decreasing technology costs, and electricity price increases in driving adoption across the retail, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors.

This industry brief by GreenCape provides guidance for businesses in the Western Cape on managing food and organic waste to reduce landfilling costs, generate income, and comply with regional regulations.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies argues that South Africa's reliance on reactive criminal justice spending is ineffective at reducing violent crime and advocates for a radical shift toward investment in preventive social programmes.