South Africa: "green vision"

SA praised for its "green vision"

South Africa came in for praise from the World Economic Forum for its vision in promoting a "green economy" agenda in its economic development policy.

Speaking in an online media briefing yesterday, World Economic Forum (WEF) Head of Renewable Energy, Busba Wongnapapisan, said: "South Africa has shown great vision in its 20 year strategy."

Wongnapaisan was referring to South Africa's New Growth Path economic policy, which Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel had stated rested on job creation and finding ways to lower the country's carbon emissions.

Patel's economic policy has to balance the socio-political need to create some five million jobs in a country that faces an unemployment rate of 23%.

According to a 2007 list on Wikipedia, South Africa ranked 13 in the world for carbon emissions by generating more than 433,000 tons and contributing 1.48% to the global total.

Generating "green", or "renewable" energy sources has bounced high onto governmental agendas as South Africa prepares to host the next round of climate change mitigation talks in Durban in November. {continued}