Greenpeace applauds proposals outlined by Pravin Gordhan in the budget speech today, aimed at revamping the economy and improving the lives of South Africans. Nonetheless, the financial commitment towards accelerating a low carbon economy is too little, and could be too late – with implications that our children will have to pay unnecessary debts to the environment created by our failure to act today.

If South Africa increased its investments in the green economy, we would see at least 148 000 jobs in less than 20 years, and ensure a cleaner future for this country. The impacts of climate change are already being felt across the globe, and South Africa needs to move from mere rhetoric to concrete action. It is time to take the threats of climate change seriously.

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