GreenCape, a non-profit organisation (NPO) that drives the widespread adoption of economically viable green economy solutions in SA, is celebrating its 10th birthday.
According to the NPO, since the official launch on 5 November 2010, GreenCape has leveraged its funding partnerships and industry networks to facilitate about R41 billion worth of investment into the South African green economy, supporting the creation of 19 000 direct green jobs.
“When I first launched GreenCape as a non-profit green economy sector development agency in 2010, I envisaged impact on a scale that would make a significant difference to the green economy of this region,” says Western Cape premier Alan Winde.
“Over the past 10 years, GreenCape has delivered this impact. These green economy projects have driven green economic growth in the Western Cape and South Africa. While much has been achieved over the last 10 years, all of us need to redouble our efforts and focus on delivering an economic recovery that will deliver jobs and dignity for our people,” he adds.
Originally established to facilitate the achievement of the target and growth of the Western Cape’s renewable energy sector, GreenCape’s operations have expanded to include a national footprint with a broader green economy focus, including water, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and green finance, says the NPO.
The GreenCape team has grown from an initial staff of three in 2010, to a team of 45 in 2020. As a cluster organisation, the GreenCape’s business membership has grown to more than 2 200 businesses.
“Investment aimed at growing the green economy ensures the sustainability of future economic opportunities,” says David Maynier, Western Cape minister of finance and economic opportunities.
“It also creates jobs now, which remains a strategic priority, especially at this time when economic recovery is a critical focus. Over the past 10 years, GreenCape has implemented multiple keystone projects that have unlocked barriers to green economy growth, importantly with projects that focus on building energy security and resource resilience in the Western Cape,” he adds.
Initially funded by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, GreenCape’s funding partnerships have diversified to include the City of Cape Town’s Department of Enterprise Development and Investment as a core funder, as well as multiple national government departments, development fund institutions, international funders, foundations and the private sector.
“The green economy is a key sector in Cape Town and has enormous potential to contribute to a thriving, sustainable business ecosystem that creates jobs,” says alderman James Vos, mayoral committee member for economic opportunities and asset management.
“We have identified the green economy as a high-growth sector that will be able to contribute to sustainable jobs in the near future. I am particularly proud of our partnership with GreenCape and the returns on investment and the development of the green economy we have seen,” he notes.
Lowering carbon emissions is at the heart of the global climate change narrative, but a green economy will mean so much more for the people of SA, says Mike Mulcahy, CEO of GreenCape.
“A green economy is an economy with decent jobs underpinned by sustainable (efficient, clean and profitable) infrastructure solutions that will create and sustain jobs and well-being for this generation and the generations to come. This is what we are most excited about – to celebrate the milestone and continued opportunities to collaborate with our funders and partners towards this goal,” he concludes.
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