ENVIRONMENTAL TAX REFORM AND CARBON PRICING TO FACILITATE THE TRANSITION TO A GREEN ECONOMY

South Africa faces a host of environmental challenges as its economy burgeons, including greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, land degradation, biodiversity loss, water quality decline, and mounting solid waste generation. This presentation examines the pivotal role of environmental tax reforms and carbon pricing play in steering the country towards a greener economy. By leveraging environmental taxes, South Africa aims to efficiently tackle these challenges while promoting sustainable practices. The Carbon Tax policy, established after extensive stakeholder consultations and meticulous planning, serves as a cornerstone in enforcing accountability and ensuring that the true costs of greenhouse gas emissions are factored into decision-making processes, thus advancing the cause of environmental conservation.