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Developing South Africa’s Green Economy .

Economic Growth and Trade | Water and Sustainable Cities | Environment and Natural Resources | Sustainable Energy Transition | Climate Change
Africa

South Africa Low Emissions Development Program

Project Dates: May 2015 - November 2020
Although climate change goals have been well articulated at the national level in South Africa, communication and collaboration between municipal, provincial, and national actors remains challenging.

Climate change has been tough on South Africa’s emerging economy, heightening existing challenges to it and widening the gulf between sustainable and affordable economic growth. The USAID South Africa Low Emissions Development (SA-LED) program bridged the gap between public institutions and investors. Having provided comprehensive support and training for project preparation, SA-LED gave investors a mechanism for fast-tracking projects and streamlining procedures to create sustainable economic growth. The project focused on high-priority sectors, including waste management, transportation, and energy.

858,000

metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) reduced by 2030 through program interventions

12.95

megawatts of clean energy generation capacity developed

28

institutions provided with improved capacity to address LED issues

Project Goals

  • Work alongside the government of South Africa to transition to a low-carbon economy and adopt low-emissions technology
  • Support developers in high-priority sectors to identify funding options and sources
  • Develop tools and provide guidance on how to engage investors to raise capital
  • Collaborate with the government to improve the enabling environment for investment and expand access to and use of innovative financing mechanisms
  • Examine tradeoffs between economic growth and efforts to reduce greenhouse gases

Our Impact Low Emissions for High Results

In South Africa, a new technology is helping schools prepare meals for students faster and more sustainably — with far-reaching benefits for the local economy and the environment.

Climate change has been tough on South Africa’s emerging economy, heightening existing challenges to it and widening the gulf between sustainable and affordable economic growth. The USAID South Africa Low Emissions Development (SA-LED) program bridged the gap between public institutions and investors. Having provided comprehensive support and training for project preparation, SA-LED gave investors a…

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How Can The Tourism Sector Benefit Youth?

How can the $7.6 trillion tourism industry benefit young people in their countries? Ibrahim Osta, chief of party for the USAID Jordan Building Economic Sustainability Through Tourism program, shares his perspective.
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Small-Scale Low-Emissions Projects

Why are small scale low-emissions projects worth investing in? Christelle Beyers and John Less of USAID Southern Africa Low-Emissions Development project share their takes.
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Low-Emissions Development

Why are small scale low-emissions projects worth investing in? Christelle Beyers and John Less of USAID Southern Africa Low-Emissions Development project share their takes.
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Resources

Final Report: South Africa Low Emissions Development Program
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