„Sustainability Taxonomies in South Africa“- Final Workshop of Research Team I of the Postgraduate Training Programme

The research team on the potential of the South African green finance taxonomy for sustainability transformation presents its findings at a hybrid workshop in Johannesburg

In recent years, several countries have developed sustainability taxonomies that include criteria for sustainable economic activities. These taxonomies aim to achieve more transparency in financial markets and contribute to the redirection of capital flows towards more sustainable investments. However, the implementation of taxonomies is still at a very early stage and there is no evidence so far on their impact.

In this context, research team I investigated the potential of the South African Green Finance taxonomy for sustainability transformation. For this purpose, it conducted more than 40 interviews with representatives of financial markets , NGOs, research institutes and government departments in South Africa since mid-February. Preliminary results of the project will be presented at a workshop on April 25 in Johannesburg (hybrid).

The research is a joint project of IDOS (Giovanna Artmann, Dr. Kathrin Berensmann, Theresa Herbold, Sören Hilbrich, Steffen Lötters-Viehof, Agnese Monti, Felix Paffhausen, Stephanie Roigk), the University of Johannesburg (Prof. Samantha Ashman), the University of Stellenbosch (Dr. Lee-Ann Steenkamp), and Carbon Trust (Rudolf du Plessis, Tahnee Rossiter).