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Bloemfontein - The government is looking for partnerships to create 300 000 new jobs in the green economy, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Tuesday.
"Our environment sector green economy implementation plan has this year received a boost of R800m for the Green Fund over the next two financial years," Molewa said at World Environment Day celebrations.
The department would use the funding to attract new and additional investments, stimulate job creation and lay the foundations for South Africa's transition to a low carbon, job creating and resource-efficient growth path.
Molewa said South Africa was also extending its partnerships to international funding institutions such as the World Bank Clean Technology Fund and the newly-established Green Climate Fund.
The country has entered into the Green Economy Accord, which has been called one of the most comprehensive social pacts on green jobs in the world.
Molewa said the implementation of the projects would offer the opportunity to close the scarce skills gap in this sector.
"We have observed that it was insufficient and needed to be supplemented by formal training at higher learning institutions."
Molewa said the department would soon launch the first phase of countrywide green hubs, with various satellite and regional operations.
The project would be launched in Mangaung where more job opportunities would be created as part of the department's waste management strategy, which also focuses on job creation.
"Waste is wealth and we aim to prove that in line with our efforts to reduce, re-use and recycle waste, we could create job opportunities for all our young people," said Molewa.
