South Africa National Networking Forum

South Africa held its SWITCH Africa Green National Networking Forum on 28 June 2017, with the Department of Environmental Affairs as the host. The approximately 50 programme stakeholders participated in the forum, including members of the National Technical Coordination Committee, representatives of the grantees, micro-, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) beneficiaries, United Nations agencies and the delegation of the European Union.

The networking forum provided a platform for discussing the challenges and barriers faced by the private sector in scaling up and replicating green business, transitioning to an inclusive green economy, and promoting sustainable consumption and production in South Africa, as well as the opportunities available to do so. The forum was also intended as a networking platform for fostering closer relationships among the various entities involved in developing green businesses and promoting sustainable consumption and production. Participants also discussed policy development through the public participation approach.

During the discussions, it was noted that the private sector in South Africa was keen to explore ways of transitioning to a green economy and honouring commitments regarding climate change and environmental protection.

South Africa has identified its priority sectors for SWITCH Africa Green intervention and developed its Country Implementation Plan for the establishment of green businesses and the adoption of sustainable consumption and production practices. The plan provides for policy actions to support climate-smart agriculture and promote the circular economy, notably through integrated waste management and water efficiency in the manufacturing sector.

During the networking forum, an exhibition was held to enable grantees and beneficiaries to showcase best practices and lessons learned from SWITCH Africa Green projects to date.

South Africa has also developed its national implementation plan, and has identified priority areas of intervention to promote the establishment of green businesses as well as the promotion of SCP. These include policy actions on promoting Climate Smart Agriculture, Circular Economy – integrated waste management and water efficiency in the manufacturing sector.

There was also be an exhibition from grantees and beneficiaries to showcase the best practices and lessons learned that has been garnered from the project to date.