The State of Green Technologies in South Africa

One of the key drivers for an increasing focus on green technologies is climate change, although other concerns, such as the global energy and financial crises, resource depletion and environmental degradation have strengthened interest in green technologies. Further, it is recognised that there can be no transition to a green economy without green technologies and technological innovation.
The overall aim of this study is to document green technologies currently being utilised in South Africa, to identify gaps and opportunities for the utilisation of these technologies and to make recommendations to promote the growth of green technologies. The key questions are as follows:
•     What are the green technologies currently available and in use in South Africa
and how does South Africa compare globally in terms of the uptake of green
technologies?
•     What are the political, economic, sociological, technological, legal &
environmental (PESTLE) factors that influence and impact on the implementation
of green technologies in the South African context?
•     In which sectors/areas are there gaps in the availability and/or implementation of technologies and potential for future growth?
•     How best can new technologies be identified for transfer to South Africa and how should this be done to ensure that skills transfer is included?
•     Are there opportunities for new innovative green technologies that can be
implemented sustainably?
•     Is there a set of indicators that can be used to measure successful
implementation of green technologies?
•     What is needed to promote and increase the use and development of local
green technologies in South Africa?
•     What recommendations are there for policies that would assist in promoting
efficient and sustainable green technologies in South Africa?