The Green Fund of South Africa: Origins, establishment and first lessons

Abstract

The Green Fund is a national fund aimed at supporting South Africa's transition towards a green economy. The Fund, managed by the Development Bank of Southern Africa on behalf of the Department of Environmental Affairs, is a three-year programme promoting innovative and high-impact green interventions. The Green Fund is mandated to provide catalytic finance to project initiation and development; policy and research development; and capacity-building initiatives that have the potential to support South Africa's transition to a green economy. This paper provides insights into the establishment of the Green Fund and draws out lessons for the development and growth of environmental finance capabilities in southern Africa.