The Interconnectedness of the Green Economy, Green Industrialisation and Renewable Energy in Advancing Sustainable Development in South Africa

Abstract

There is a global consensus that transitioning from a conventional high-carbon and resource-intensive economy to a low-carbon, more efficient and sustainable economy is necessary in all countries. In addition, clean, renewable energy sources are key strategies in green industrialisation and the transition to a green economy. Green growth is also essential for economies to attain the sustainable development goals of a clean environment. As a result, there have been increasing interdisciplinary interests in the interactions between technology innovation, industrial development and environmental sustainability. However, despite this growing interest in studying these relationships, thorough research is scarce, particularly in developing nations such as South Africa. As a result, this study attempts to fill this research gap by exploring the effects of green economy, green industrialisation and renewable energy interconnectedness in advancing sustainable development in South Africa. For the study, this was achieved by adopting an interpretive paradigm approach with a qualitative research methodology and an explorative case study research strategy. The study also utilised purposive sampling with 16 field experts/practitioners. Green political theory and sustainability theory underpin this study. The study was innovative in its attempt to link the energy security and electricity crises with emerging discourses on the green economy and green industrialisation by investigating the potential for shifting from a technology-induced innovation process to a more society-driven, cultural and behaviour-oriented sustainability process using technological innovation as a catalyst. As envisioned, this unique method brings substantial value to the ongoing energy and sustainability transition debate by providing new perspectives and answering questions for policymakers and stakeholders involved in South Africa's complicated energy transition decision-making processes. As anticipated, the study’s findings support that the interconnectedness of these three domains will advance sustainable development in South Africa.