Effects of green policies on sustainability of local economies in Africa

Abstract

This article conducts a thorough analysis of the potential impacts of environmentally friendly policies on the long-term viability of renewable energy and waste management policies on the economics of local regions within the African Continental Free Trade Area. The research examines how these policies intersect with the development of intra-African enterprise and local employment rates. The study employs a qualitative methodology, utilising an exploratory research design to investigate African economic performance metrics. It also uses qualitative data to gain a deeper understanding of the subtle implications of policies. The research evaluates the economic consequences of these policies in African contexts by utilising a range of secondary sources, such as governmental reports, peer-reviewed studies, and policy evaluations. Initial results indicate that although green policies have resulted in substantial environmental advantages, their influence on intra-African economies is intricate and diverse.  The report asserts that comprehending these dynamics is crucial for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers who have an interest in fostering sustainable development and inclusive economic growth in Africa. The study suggests the adoption of environmentally friendly policies that take into account the economic conditions inside Africa and aim to achieve a local economy that is both environmentally sustainable and inclusive.  

Keywords: {'name': 'Green Policies, Local Economies, Renewable Energy, Waste Management, Green Infrastructure, Sustainable Development'}

Authors & affiliations

Masa Sylvester Motadi
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

DOI: 10.1007/s11367-019-01651-5

DOI: 10.3390/su14105901

Addo, J. (2022). Impact of Solar Energy Projects on Local Economic Activities in Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Development, 15(4), 123-134.

DOI: 10.13031/trans.58.10907

Adjei, K. (2021). Integrating Climate Change into National Development Plans: Insights from Ghana. Environmental Policy and Management, 9(2), 45-59.

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.07.021

DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00756

DOI: 10.1002/bse.2261

DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2015.02.017

Ankrah, E., & Lin, W. (2020). Ghana's climate change policy framework and implementation challenges. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 22(6), 765-781.

DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2016.10.015

DOI: 10.1016/j.envc.2020.100012

DOI: 10.1080/03066150.2016.1260554

DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.104850

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.110792

Bhattacharyya, S. C., & Palit, D. (2021). Energy access: Why energy access is vital for Africa. In Mini-Grids for Rural Electrification of Developing Countries (pp. 53-74). Springer, Cham.

Card, A. J. (2017). The role of non-governmental organizations in promoting green economies in Kenya. Environmental Management, 61(3), 380-390.

Card, D. I. (2017). Sub-Saharan Africa.

Chalil, K. (2020). Theoretical and conceptual cobwebs of “green economy”. East Afr. Sch. J. Econ. Bus. Manag, 3, 44-49.

DOI: 10.3390/resources9070083

Chukwu, B. A. (2020). Drivers of green economy in Africa. African Journal of Economic and Sustainable Development, 3(1), 1-16.

DOI: 10.31248/AJPB2020.006

DOI: 10.1007/s11192-020-03581-8

Cockx, L., & Francken, N. (2016). Extending the concept of the ‘resource curse’: Natural resources and public spending on health. Ecological Economics, 122, 45-58.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2016.02.027

De Angelis, G., Maciocco, L., Muratore, A., & Spano, G. (2021). Renewable energy potentials in Sub-Saharan Africa: The contribution of solar energy to sustainable development. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 144, 111022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111414

DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2015.1068110

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.07.014

DOI: 10.3390/proceedings2020063070

DOI: 10.1016/j.iswcr.2015.04.002

Dutta, S. (2016). 'Green Economy' in the Context of Indian Economy. International Review of Research in Emerging Markets & the Global Economy, 2(3).

Ezeudu, I. J., Ezeudu, T. S., & Akpa, C. I. (2019). Green business and environmental sustainability in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Management, 230, 65-73.

DOI: 10.3390/resources8010053

DOI: 10.1080/09644016.2014.919748

DOI: 10.1002/bse.2730

DOI: 10.6007/IJARBSS/v9-i7/6110

Folasayo, T. A. (2019). Consumer perception of green marketing in Lagos, Nigeria. International Journal of Market Research, 61(4), 389-403.

Gasmi, A., Recuero Virto, L., & Couvet, D. (2020). Natural capital accounting and its contribution to sustainable development. Sustainability, 12(13), 5401.

DOI: 10.1007/s10640-020-00495-0

DOI: 10.1002/geo2.36

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-29016-4_8

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2018.10.010

Grey, E. (2018). Natural capital and ecosystem services in sustainable development. Ecological Economics, 150, 167-176.

DOI: 10.1108/JEC-03-2022-0040

Gupta, D. (2020). Application of Economic Tools in Environment: A Step towards Sustainable Development and Green Economy in India. Issue 5 Int'l JL Mgmt. & Human., 3, 1341.

DOI: 10.11591/ijece.v12i5.pp4614-4622

Hamdok, A. (2015). The green economy and Africa’s economic transformation: a balancing act. Journal of African Transformation, 1(1), 85-100.

IISD & NEAA. (2010). Global Institute for Sustainable Development Report. International Institute for Sustainable Development.

Karim, S., & Bah, C. J. (2022). An analysis of the impacts of climate change on green economy of Sierra Leone.

DOI: 10.18267/j.pep.626

DOI: 10.1108/JAEE-06-2012-0024

Kirui, O., & Mirzabaev, A. (2010). The cost of environmental degradation in Kenya. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 7(8), 3461-3482.

Kirui, O.K. & Mirzabaev, A. (2016). Cost of land degradation and improvement in Eastern Africa. (No. 310-2016-5343).

DOI: 10.1002/ldr.2545

Kiruki, L., Mogoi, J., & Kosgei, L. (2017). Agricultural chemicals and urban waste: Emerging issues for future water resources in Kenya. Water Resources Management, 31(4), 1265-1278.

DOI: 10.3390/en14030520

Li, X., Lim, S., & Lim, C. (2021). Renewable energy capacities and development in Africa: An overview. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 148, 111247.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cie.2017.01.017

Makhanya, T. (2023). The impact of green marketing on consumer behavior in South Africa. South African Journal of Business Management, 54(1), 45-56.

DOI: 10.25304/rlt.v26.2008

DOI: 10.3390/en10040443

DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2020.103948

DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2016.10002861

DOI: 10.2737/RMRS-RB-22

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118339

Mnguni, T. (2022). Skills gap analysis in South Africa's environmental sector. South African Journal of Human Resource Management, 20, 15-28.

Mohsin, M., Taghizadeh-Hesary, F., & Abbas, Q. (2022). Renewable energy and green economy nexus in Africa. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 151, 111583.

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2022.03.076

Moonga, C., & Chileshe, P. (2019). Inclusive green growth in Zambia: From policy to action. Development in Practice, 29(6), 785-795.

Moonga, M.S., & Chileshe, B. (2019). Zambia’s transition to a green economy. Multidisciplinary Journal of Language and Social Sciences Education, 2(1), 96-122.

DOI: 10.1016/j.iswcr.2016.05.004

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-19168-3_16

DOI: 10.1080/09613218.2021.2015276

Mutua, J. (2021). NGOs and the promotion of green economy in Kenya. Journal of Environmental Policy, 15(3), 123-134.

DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/acb1a7

Naanda, M., Kampulu, M., Bhatia, A., & Alakija, I.M. (2022). Namibia towards ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(1&2), 1-16.

Naanda, T., Uusiku, J., & Hansoh, G. (2022). The role of biotrade in Namibia's green economy. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 24(1), 115-129.

Nabukenya, J. (2022). Data gaps and environmental monitoring challenges in Uganda. Environmental Science & Policy, 131, 120-128.

Nebuloni, V., & van der Ree, K. (2018). The transition to green economies has far-reaching implications for the world of work and can generate, if well managed, ample decent job opportunities, including for young people.

DOI: 10.1177/1609406917733847

Nyagadza, B. (2019). Environmental impacts of basic industries in Kenya. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 13(5), 190-197.

DOI: 10.1386/jem_00037_1

DOI: 10.1007/s10098-016-1229-5

Oduor, P. (2021). Impact of unsustainable agricultural practices on water resources in Kenya. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 147(9), 04021054.

Ojwala, R.A., Otachi, E.O., & Kitaka, N. (2018). Water hyacinth infestation and water quality in Lake Victoria, Kenya. Water Resources Management, 32(2), 305-318.

DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6042-0

Okeke, J. (2021). Coordination among ministries for green economy implementation in Nigeria. Journal of Public Administration and Policy, 13(4), 222-235.

Okonkwo, R. (2023). Sustainable management of natural resources and its economic impact in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Economics, 19(2), 145-157.

Owuso Essegbey, G., Nutsukpo, D.K., Karbo, N., & Zougmoré, R.B. (2015). National climate-smart agriculture and food security action plan of Ghana (2016-2020). CCAFS Working Paper.

Owusu-Daaku, K.K., & Diko, S.K. (2017). Ghana's national climate change policy framework: Progress and challenges. Climate Policy, 17(6), 702-715.

Owusu-Daaku, K.N., & Diko, S.K. (2017). The sea defense project in the Ada East District and its implications for climate change policy implementation in Ghana’s Peri-Urban Areas. Urban Perspectives, 28.

Owusu-Essegbey, E., Kemausuor, F., & Brew-Hammond, A. (2015). Environmental fiscal reform and green fund design in Ghana. Journal of Cleaner Production, 96, 1-10.

DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.06.073

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.134

Parrique, T., Barth, J., Briens, F., Kerschner, C., Kraus-Polk, A., Kuokkanen, A., & Spangenberg, J.H. (2019). Decoupling debunked. Evidence and arguments against green growth as a sole strategy for sustainability. A study edited by the European Environment Bureau EEB.

DOI: 10.1080/17565529.2018.1442802

Paul, J., & Weinthal, E. (2019). Climate-resilient green economy in Ethiopia: A review of progress and prospects. Environmental Science & Policy, 93, 28-38.

DOI: 10.1080/19480881.2018.1410962

Price, R. (2019). Climate compatible development and rapid urbanisation in Rwanda.

Price, T. (2019). Rwanda's green growth and climate resilience strategy: An analysis. Journal of Environmental Policy, 15(4), 67-82.

DOI: 10.3390/resources6010010

DOI: 10.4324/9781315249827-14

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2022.01.001

DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2016.1199262

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-38919-6

DOI: 10.1177/1070496515580797

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.04.022

DOI: 10.1002/nop2.275

DOI: 10.1080/1523908X.2015.1107716

Swilling, M., Musango, J.K., & Wakeford, J. (2016). Greening the South African economy: Scoping the issues, challenges, and opportunities. Sustainability Science, 11(2), 249-256.

DOI: 10.12775/OeC.2016.013

Taylor, A.N.D.R.E.W., Lindsey, P.A., Davies-Mostert, H.A.R.R.I.E.T., & Goodman, P.E.T.E.R. (2016). An assessment of the economic, social and conservation value of the wildlife ranching industry and its potential to support the green economy in South Africa. The Endangered Wildlife Trust, Johannesburg, 96-109.

DOI: 10.1080/03056244.2015.1084911

DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2018.11.004

Tesfaye, A. (2022). Evaluation of Ethiopia's climate-resilient green economy strategy. Climate Policy, 22(5), 657-671.

DOI: 10.46299/j.isjmef.20220101.1

Uhorakeye, T., & Möller, B. (2018). Assessment of a climate-resilient and low-carbon power supply scenario for Rwanda. International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, 17, 45-60.

Uhorakeye, T., & Möller, R. (2018). Long-term impacts of Rwanda's green growth strategy. Environmental Development, 27, 45-56.

DOI: 10.18356/93942783-en

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.118665

DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2016.02.003

Wilson, D.C., Rodic, L., Modak, P., Soos, R., Carpintero, A., Velis, K., Iyer, M., & Simonett, O. (2015). Global waste management outlook. UNEP.

World Bank. (2019). Global financial development report 2019/2020: Bank regulation and supervision a decade after the global financial crisis. The World Bank.