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Towards connecting green economy with informal economy in South Africa: A review and way forward

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  • Smit, Suzanne
  • Musango, Josephine K.

Abstract

The informal economy is a vibrant and growing phenomenon, offering both opportunities and lessons on resilience and innovation. When considering global social, economic and environmental challenges, resilience and innovation are valuable response strategies. The notion of a green economy has similarly inspired a number of ideological, geopolitical and institutional responses, yet a review of the dominant approach indicates the propensity to undervalue or ignore the informal economy. Within the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, connecting the informal economy with the green economy is imperative. This paper explores possible connections between the green economy and the informal economy in South Africa and argues that by engaging the informal economy in discussions on the green economy, a more informed policy and planning environment may ensue, resulting in more socially equitable and environmentally sustainable development.

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  • Smit, Suzanne & Musango, Josephine K., 2015. "Towards connecting green economy with informal economy in South Africa: A review and way forward," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 154-159.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:116:y:2015:i:c:p:154-159
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.04.022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Adebanji William Adebanji & Oluwole Iyiola & Olaleke Oluseye Ogunnaike & Stephen Ayodotun Ibidunni & Oluwaseun Akinde & Idowu Olubodun, 2017. "Empirical Assessment of Social Motivation and Performance of Informal Entrepreneurs in Computer Village, Lagos State," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 13(5), pages 26-47, OCTOBER.
    3. Zhao, Nan & Liu, Xiaojie & Zhang, Zizhe, 2022. "Does competition from the informal sector affect firms’ energy intensity? Evidence from China," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 130-142.
    4. Roberto Dell Anno & Adriana AnaMaria Davidescu & Eduard Mihai Manta, 2024. "The Role of the Informal Economy in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Europe," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 26(Special 1), pages 1108-1108, November.
    5. Wei Li & Yingying Wang, 2024. "Producer services agglomeration and green growth: evidence from China," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 1-35, June.
    6. Sultana, Nahid & Rahman, Mohammad Mafizur & Murad, S.M. Woahid, 2024. "Asymmetric role of the informal sector on economic growth: Empirical investigation on a developing country," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 96-107.
    7. Ying Chen & An Li, 2021. "Global Green New Deal: A Global South perspective," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 32(2), pages 170-189, June.
    8. Godwell Nhamo & Chipo Mukonza, 2020. "Opportunities for women in the green economy and environmental sectors," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(4), pages 823-832, July.
    9. Gheorghe H. Popescu & Adriana Ana Maria Davidescu & Catalin Huidumac, 2018. "Researching the Main Causes of the Romanian Shadow Economy at the Micro and Macro Levels: Implications for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-37, September.
    10. Dinah Quacoe & Yusheng Kong & Daniel Quacoe, 2023. "Analysis of How Green Growth and Entrepreneurship Affect Sustainable Development: Application of the Quintuple Helix Innovation Model in the African Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, January.
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