South Africa
HiGHliGHts
2013
What are EPRs?
The OECD conducts in-depth assessments of the
environmental policies and programmes of selected
OECD and key partner countries. These Environmental
Performance Reviews (EPRs) identify good practice and make
recommendations to strengthen the reviewed countries’
environmental management and instruments they use
to promote green growth. They result from a peer review
process in which countries periodically review each other on
an equal basis.
The EPRs are based on evidence and facts derived from
sound national and international data. The EPR programme
emphasises the use of economic analysis. Since work began
in 1992, over 70 EPRs of OECD member and partner countries
have been conducted.
What is south africa’s report about?
South Africa is a Key Partner for the OECD, meaning it
has the opportunity to participate in the work of the
Organisation, and to benefit from in-depth, high quality
analysis of its economic, social and environmental
performance based on international best practices. These
highlights summarise the first OECD review of South Africa’s
environmental performance – the result of a constructive
and mutually beneficial policy dialogue between South
Africa and the OECD Working Party on Environmental
Performance. The full report presents 36 recommendations;
these highlights summarise the main findings, with a special
emphasis on:
l
Green growth
l
Environmental governance
l
Biodiversity
l
Mining
“Green growth should be at the
heart of South Africa’s economic
strategy and its efforts to overcome
its environmental challenges.”
Angel Gurría, oecD secretary-General
3
HiGHliGHts
Core policy objectives for South Africa
“To protect our environment, taking advantage of the growth opportunities offered
by the profound technological changes required to combat climate change and
greening our planet, and ensuring that the unavoidable costs are shared fairly across
society.” President Jacob Zuma, Preface, south africa’s Green Economy Accord (2011).
South Africa
Overview
South Africa is the largest economy in Africa. After years
of isolation under apartheid, since 1994 South Africa has
made enormous progress in improving living standards
and managing public finance. However, growth has slowed
following the global economic and financial crisis, and
a variety of structural and social challenges must be
overcome for the country to achieve its full growth potential:
unemployment is high, inequality is among the highest in the
world, and life expectancy is two-thirds of the OECD average.
opportunities
l Rich biodiversity and exceptional ecosystems and habitats.
l Abundant non-renewable energy and mineral resources.
l Green growth opportunities from wildlife game farming, ecotourism,
energy-efficiency measures and innovation.
l A comprehensive policy and regulatory framework for protecting the
environment and managing natural resources.
l the fastest-growing renewable energy market in the G20 and the
ninth-leading destination of clean energy investment.
challenGes
l One of the most energy- and carbon-intensive economies in the world.
l
An overreliance on natural resources.
l
Poorly regulated mining resulting in serious environmental damage.
l
High pressures on limited water resources.
l
Poor environmental quality and access to environmental services
(sanitation, waste collection and healthy housing) affecting health,
especially children.
l
increasing illegal poaching, wildlife trade and damage by invasive
species.
sOutH AfRicA 2012
Population
50.7 million
GDP/capita
usD 11 500, about one–
third of the oecD average
Area
1.2 million km²
Population density
41.3 inhabitants/km²
(oecD average is 34.3)
currency (2012)
usD 1.00 = Zar 8.21
Green growth indicators are a standard feature of all Environmental Performance Reviews. they are based on the
OEcD’s green growth indicators: (1) the environmental and resource productivity of the economy; (2) the natural
asset base; and (3) the environmental dimension of quality of life. these have been assessed for south Africa using
national and international data.
environmental anD resource proDuctivity
of the economy
l
South Africa is one of the world’s top 20 emitters of
greenhouse gases (GHGs). These emissions have tracked
economic growth (Figures 1 and 2).
s
l
Greenhouse gas emissions per capita are high compared to
China or Brazil, but below the OECD average.
l
The energy sector is the largest, and growing, source of CO
2
emissions, reflecting the coal-dominant structure of energy
(74%) and electricity supply (94%) and the under-pricing of
this fossil fuel.
l
Despite high potential, the share of renewable energy
(mostly from biomass and waste) in energy supply was
only 11% during the 2000s. Renewables account for only
1% of total electricity generation.
l
At about 300 kg per person per year, municipal waste
generation is still well below the level of most OECD
countries. Landfilling continues to be the predominant
type of waste treatment, accounting for over 90% of the
total. More than 80% of municipalities have initiated
recycling, but lack of capacity and funding mean these
programmes are often not maintained. In 2010, only
4.5% of waste collected from households was recycled,
compared with the OECD average of 24%.
Green growth indicators | south africa
OEcD : SOUTH AFRICA EnvIROnmEnTAl pERFORmAnCE REvIEw
Tracking economic growth
1990=100
160
Mtoe
Energy supply by source
figure 1: GHG emissions and energy mix
