Earth, Wind and Fire

Earth, Wind and Fire: Unpacking the Political, Economic and Security Implications of Discourse on the Green Economy is
the result of a MISTRA research project. It examines issues ranging
from global and domestic climate change and sustainable energy issues to
the mineral-energy complex issues that have given rise to local and
sector-specific problems. Each chapter seeks to convey policy choices
and recommendations, at the centre of which is a clear articulation of
the need for an integrated mix of policy instruments in South Africa to
mitigate emissions and promote the development of a low-carbon economy
through the low-carbon and sustainable energy technologies and
low-carbon innovation across various sectors of the economy.

The
central theme of the book is that discourse and policy action on the
Green Economy should fully embrace a transdisciplinary approach that
acknowledges social complexity and takes on board the multidimensional
nature of the issues.

The book acknowledges the impressive
progress that South Africa has made in its procurement process for
renewable energy. Yet, it also warns that long-term sustainability of
such programmes depends also on maximising socio economic impact,
especially among communities previously marginalised in the country’s
historical socio-economic evolution.