SMME Inclusion in the Just Transition Focus Group: Sustainable Waste Management

SMME INCLUSION IN THE JUST TRANSITION

Focus Group: Opportunities and Barriers for SMMEs in Just Transition towards a Low Carbon Economy
Sector Focus Area: Sustainable waste management

As the global community increasingly prioritises the transition to a sustainable and equitable economy, the imperative to ensure the inclusion of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) becomes paramount. Within this context, empowering youth and female-owned SMME newcomers in green industries emerges as a pivotal strategy for fostering just transition inclusion. This paper explores the business challenges and opportunities faced by SMMEs owned by marginalised groups such as youth and women as they navigate the transition to greener practices and industries. Drawing on a review of existing literature and case studies, the paper identifies key SMME business barriers such as limited access to capital, a lack of technical expertise, and limited market opportunities. Moreover, it examines green sectoral challenges faced by youth and female entrepreneurs, including energy, water and waste sectors. Building upon these insights, the paper proposes a set of tailored strategies to strengthen the participation of youth and female-owned SMMEs as newcomers in green industries to ensure a Just Transition does not leave anyone behind. These strategies encompass capacity initiatives, targeted financial support mechanisms, business development, and mentorship programs, enterprise and supplier development initiatives and policy interventions aimed at levelling the playing field and fostering an enabling business environment for inclusive participation in the Just Transition as local green entrepreneurs. By addressing the unique needs and aspirations of youth and female entrepreneurs, empowering SMMEs owned by these demographics can drive meaningful progress toward a Just Transition, promoting economic resilience, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

Presenters

Elize Hattingh joined TIPS in November 2020 as a Researcher: Sustainable Growth. She has a Master’s Degree  in Sustainable Development and Management from Stellenbosch University’s School of Public Leadership in partnership with the Sustainability Institute. She has been actively involved in promoting the sustainable development agenda for more than 15 years.

Michael Hector has a PhD in Political Science from Stellenbosch University, where his research focussed on the green economy and environmental governance in South Africa. His thesis studied the use of ecological modernisation and market mechanisms (and the implementation thereof) in South Africa’s environmental and waste management policies,

Julie Wells is a communication and business management specialist with almost 30 years of experience. She has been involved in driving the green industry agenda since 2012, as the communication and operations manager at the National Cleaner Production Centre, South Africa (NCPC-SA). The NCPC-SA is a national support programme that assists companies to adopt more sustainable business practices, saving valuable resources and promoting inclusive economic growth. 

Dr Jenitha Badul is the Senior Manager/Policy Advisor for Sustainability Programmes and Projects, at the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and has been with the Department since February 2003. Her professional experience includes the co-ordination of green economy project planning, and co-rdination and of implementation across spheres of government, in collaboration with United Nations Agencies and country donor partners.

Aysha Lotter is an environmental and mineral law consultant and researcher focusing primarily on the Anglophone African countries. Her research focuses on Extended Producer Responsibility, Integrated Environmental Management and Transformative Negotiations. She is pursuing an interdisciplinary PhD (Private Law and Chemical Engineering) at the University of Cape Town

Susanne Karcher started her company EnviroSense CC (an Environmental Consultancy) in Cape Town in 1999 after completing Chemical Engineering studies in Germany. Her company specialises in the planning, development and facilitation of tailor-made governmental, industrial/commercial and residential Integrated Resource and Waste Management programmes ultimately geared towards pollution prevention. Susanne is also a founding member of the African Circular Economy Network.

Nicole Booyens is a socio-economic development specialist who seeks and shares new solutions to social problems. With a focus on sustainable and circular development, she promotes economically empowered, socially advanced, and environmentally conscious living. She founded Cause Development Agency in 2008 to provide insight, training, and project implementation services to changemakers and non-profit professionals.

Other Focus Groups

Sector Focus Area: Sustainable water management

Sector Focus Area: Renerable energy and energy efficiency

                                     Fund on International Energy (PIE) An International Platform Hosted at Stichting European Climate Foundation