The Political Economy of Carbon Tax in South Africa

Abstract

Climate change is a serious challenge facing the world today. Indeed, without any concrete measures, it will be impossible to keep the world on a sustainable climatic path. This is why many countries are trying to change environmentally harmful behaviour by introducing market-based mitigation measures such as carbon tax. This article engages with the discourse on the political economy of climate change, with a particular focus on South Africa, with the aim of assessing the viability of carbon-tax in the South African context. Given the country’s specificities, this article argues that carbon tax will affect different segments of South African society differently. Notwithstanding this, it is argued that its implementation should be considered among the range of instruments available to the South African government.

Africa Insight Vol 43(1) – June 2013