Industry and the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) recognise the environmental goods and services sector in South Africa (EGSA) as a growth sector with the potential to make a significant contribution to national economic objectives.

The aim with formalising this recognition is to create an enabling structure, strategy and action plan that would be recognised by both the sector and government as its representative position. The structure should be focused on direct and indirect measures to stimulate trade in EGS, which is a proven way of poverty alleviation.

“There are many positive ways for business to make a difference in the lives of the poor – not through philanthropy but through initiatives that over time will help build new markets" (Kofi Annan)

The approach to establishing an enabling structure for the EGS industry in SA is firstly to define the sector and secondly to look at international trends that provide context for forming an understanding of trade in environmental goods and services internationally and from a South African perspective. The strategy concept will conclude by providing recommendations for a South African EGS action plan.

Literature on environmental goods and services does not provide an internationally agreed definition or classification for EGS. Environmental services can be distinguished as a category on its own among other economy-supporting services. The WTO Committee for Trade and Environment  (CTE) is currently running a process to define environmental goods. 

Environmental services and goods exist in an inter-dependent relationship. Many environmental services depend on the utilisation of relevant environmental goods.The 2006 EGSA report recognised the international EGS sector as one of the fastest growing industries in the world, due to global and local environmental and climate change challenges. Unlike most other industries, the growth of the EGS industry is largely driven by government activities and policies.

Purpose of the EGS Forum

The EGS Forum’s main purpose is to unite South African suppliers of environmental services and goods in one body. Members would identify their priority needs, create appropriate enabling structures and take action that will increase business opportunities, trade, skills, knowledge and jobs in the South African environmental sector. In the ongoing course of achieving this purpose the EGS Forum Steering Committee will act on behalf of its members when engaging government and/or other possible customers and partners.