2.15 South African Policies
2.15.7 National Strategy for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development has been one of the core discussions in South Africa since government’s commitment at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg in 2002. During a time that countries globally are experiencing high-energy demands, climate-change challenges and increased poverty levels, sustainable development strategies have become imperative to address issues such as human wellbeing and quality of life, which have been affected by inequality and poverty.
South Africa is an emerging economy and some significant progress has been made over the past 15 years to further grow this stable economy. But there are still significant challenges that need to be addressed in a manner that adheres to the principles of sustainable development (DEA, 2010). The development indicators are clustered into ten themes, and these are economic growth and transformation, employment, poverty, inequality, household and community assets, health, education, social cohesion, safety and security, international relations, and good governance.
The five strategic priority areas for action and intervention that are necessary to reach the desired state of sustainable development described in the national vision reflect a systematic and integrative approach and seek to transcend traditional divisions and sectors (DEA, 2010). These priority sectors, “pathways” to achieving sustainable development, are as follows:
Enhancing systems for integrated planning and implementation.
Sustaining our ecosystems and using natural resources efficiently.
Economic development via investing in sustainable infrastructure.
Creating sustainable human settlements.
Responding appropriately to emerging human development, and economic and environmental challenges.
South Africa’s current economic development path is based primarily on maximising economic growth – as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), particularly through mining, manufacturing, and agricultural activities. This has resulted in an energy-intensive economy and an erosion of the resource base (DEA, 2010).
Economic growth is closely aligned with the priority sectors of the government’s
support the close linkages between economic growth, resource limitations, pollution, and human wellbeing. This requires strategic RECP interventions in the form of technical assistance, financial assistance for implementation, and innovative technologies to enhance competitiveness and support the sustainability of industries.
The challenges associated with sustainable development are particularly difficult in developing countries, where complex trade-offs between economic, social and environmental objectives must often be made (Nahman et al., 2009).
Achieving the development goals of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development can be considered a daunting task if the challenges that South Africa face are not clearly understood. Economic growth can only be achieved if the social and environmental objectives are achieved, and the NSSD can be supported in many ways by increasing environmental awareness through RECP programmes, which in turn can create stability in the social arena through job creation and business sustainability in terms of resource savings.
The next chapter discusses the research methodology used for this study, how the questionnaires were designed, and what the summarised responses were. It also highlights some of the limitations and ethical considerations that could impose on a study of this nature.
CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The literature review in chapter 2 identifies some mechanisms that could potentially support and help address the challenges of the research questions that are highlighted in section 1.5. The carbon tax policy that is due to come into effect in 2017 is one measure that speaks directly to the financial implications of RECP implementation, and other cost saving interventions such as energy efficiency, water footprinting, life cycle approaches, environmental management systems, etc, can all contribute to sustaining or creating jobs, reducing unemployment and positively redirecting the economy.
However, to ensure that all this is effectively introduced and change happens, internal as well as external capacity needs to be advanced in the areas of resource optimisation. Based on the literature review this can be strengthened through adequate training in life cycle thinking, adopting sustainable consumption and production practices, and being able to understand on how to address the various elements that negatively impact the environment. Governments various policies also provide incentives through its Industrial Policy Action Plan, as well as the Carbon Tax.
Peter Drucker's ''The Changed World Economy" (1986) is an exceptional source of theories and hypotheses. Drucker claims that the world economy has changed significantly from the past. He points to the ''uncoupling'' between the primary products (raw materials) economy and the industrial economy, a similar uncoupling between low labour costs and manufacturing production, and the uncoupling between financial markets and the real economy of goods and services (Yin, 2003).
To test these propositions might require different studies, some focusing on the different uncouplings, others focusing on specific industries, and yet others explaining the plight of specific countries. Each different study would likely call for a different unit of analysis. Drucker's theoretical framework would provide guidance for designing these studies and even for collecting relevant data.
This dissertation draws on case study methodology (Yin, 2003) to identify and account for barriers and opportunities relating to RECP in South Africa. It also
platform for industry, and provide guidance for compliance with the stringent environmental regulations that are emerging.
There are three principal ways of conducting explanatory research, namely a search of the literature, interviewing experts in the subject and conducting focus- group interviews (Saunders et al., 2009). In this dissertation, case study methodology (Yin, 2003) is drawn upon, in particular, in order to ensure that questionnaires were robustly and rigorously formulated and the interview process objectively conducted.
Results of the interviews were then tested against findings in available literature (both South African and global), and other evidence where possible. Interview results were thus not treated as empirical findings, but rather as heuristic guidelines that aided further inquiry into the subject.