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Towards connecting green economy with informal economy in South Africa: A review and way forward

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  • Smit, Suzanne
  • Musango, Josephine K.

Abstract

The informal economy is a vibrant and growing phenomenon, offering both opportunities and lessons on resilience and innovation. When considering global social, economic and environmental challenges, resilience and innovation are valuable response strategies. The notion of a green economy has similarly inspired a number of ideological, geopolitical and institutional responses, yet a review of the dominant approach indicates the propensity to undervalue or ignore the informal economy. Within the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, connecting the informal economy with the green economy is imperative. This paper explores possible connections between the green economy and the informal economy in South Africa and argues that by engaging the informal economy in discussions on the green economy, a more informed policy and planning environment may ensue, resulting in more socially equitable and environmentally sustainable development.

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  • Smit, Suzanne & Musango, Josephine K., 2015. "Towards connecting green economy with informal economy in South Africa: A review and way forward," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 154-159.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:116:y:2015:i:c:p:154-159
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.04.022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Roberto Dell Anno & Adriana AnaMaria Davidescu & Eduard Mihai Manta, 2024. "The Role of the Informal Economy in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Europe," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 26(Special 1), pages 1108-1108, November.
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    5. Adebanji Adejuwon William Ayeni, 2025. "Entrepreneurial Abilities and Business Performance: Enacting Business Survival Paradigm from Electronics Informal Market, Nigeria," World, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-34, June.
    6. Bui Dan Thanh & Nguyen Van Diep & Nguyen Huynh Mai Tram, 2024. "Impacts of financial development and green trade on the shadow economy: An insight of eagle countries using Bayesian approaches," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(5), pages 1-19, May.
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    8. Sultana, Nahid & Rahman, Mohammad Mafizur & Murad, S.M. Woahid, 2024. "Asymmetric role of the informal sector on economic growth: Empirical investigation on a developing country," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 96-107.
    9. Adebanji William Adebanji & Oluwole Iyiola & Olaleke Oluseye Ogunnaike & Stephen Ayodotun Ibidunni & Oluwaseun Akinde & Idowu Olubodun, 2017. "Empirical Assessment of Social Motivation and Performance of Informal Entrepreneurs in Computer Village, Lagos State," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 13(5), pages 26-47, OCTOBER.
    10. Zhao, Nan & Liu, Xiaojie & Zhang, Zizhe, 2022. "Does competition from the informal sector affect firms’ energy intensity? Evidence from China," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 130-142.
    11. Gheorghe H. Popescu & Adriana Ana Maria Davidescu & Catalin Huidumac, 2018. "Researching the Main Causes of the Romanian Shadow Economy at the Micro and Macro Levels: Implications for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-37, September.
    12. Dinah Quacoe & Yusheng Kong & Daniel Quacoe, 2023. "Analysis of How Green Growth and Entrepreneurship Affect Sustainable Development: Application of the Quintuple Helix Innovation Model in the African Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, January.
    13. Ying Chen & An Li, 2021. "Global Green New Deal: A Global South perspective," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 32(2), pages 170-189, June.
    14. Masa Sylvester Motadi, 2024. "Effects of green policies on sustainability of local economies in Africa," International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293), Bussecon International Academy, vol. 6(2), pages 179-193, April.
    15. Romanus Osabohien & Alhassan Abdulwakeel Karakara & Junaid Ashraf & Oluwatoyin Matthew & Evans Osabuohien & Olawole Onolade & Nida Waheed, 2025. "Green economy and food security in Africa," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(12), pages 28873-28889, December.
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