South Africa's government is embarking on a project aimed at reducing the effects of recession in Africa's largest economy by creating 500,000 jobs and giving impetus towards a greener economy. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said that the government has set a six-month deadline in which the multi-billion rand plan must be implemented.

Without bold, focused and sustained leadership from Africa’s governments, outside assistance won’t safeguard our people or protect the progress we have made. African business must be an active part of the pact to make the continent work for its people.

South Africa promotes carbon markets after abandoning carbon levy on coal power

For years the principal objection of South African business leaders to the introduction of green taxes was that they would be just another tax, raising the cost of business, without curbing polluters or benefiting the environment. Now the South African Government has followed international trends and proposes tax incentives to curb climate change through the carbon markets and energy effiiciency measures.

On the 9-10June this year the inaugural Buy-environmental trade show and conference was held at Vodaworld, Midrand, Johannesburg and was greeted with enthusiasm by all who attended.