The employment-effects of greening the South African economy

Abstract

This study aims to develop a method for classifying occupations into green and non-green jobs and examines the impact of the green economy on employment. It focuses on patterns across industries and the characteristics of individuals employed as the country transitions to a green economy. The study utilises the local Organising Framework for Occupations (OFO) and the International Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to categorise jobs, applying parametric and non-parametric approaches to identify the determinants of green jobs. The proportion of green jobs in South Africa has been slowly increasing, constituting 13.8% of all jobs in 2024. These jobs are mainly found in utilities, mining, construction, and finance. They are primarily occupied by younger individuals with moderate education. Most positions are held by men, with white and black individuals as the main demographic groups, largely within the formal sector. These findings are important for policies promoting inclusive green economy growth.