Abstract
The concept of green economy has become one of a few environmentalism-inspired concepts that drive the sustainability of contemporary global economic growth. This concept was coined at the backdrop of the ecological economics theory and the sustainability paradigm. Ecological economics, a theory the lenses of which were used in undertaking this study, is a normative field which provides a platform to create linkages between ecology and neoclassical economics. Guided by the interpretive paradigm and its subjective epistemology in the context of the critical theory, this study investigates socioeconomic externalities of a transition to a green economy in a developmental state. Using the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality’s Food and Energy Centre and the Ga-Rankuwa Eco-Furniture Factory case studies, 60 interpersonal interviews supplemented by four (4) focus group discussions were conducted with the beneficiaries to understand the externalities of a transition to a green economy in the City. These were coupled with an analysis of municipal documents and desktop research as well as observations from the sites to guarantee richness, depth and breadth of this study. Data obtained from the field were organised and analysed thematically and inductive reasoning was used to compile and present emerging themes...
D.Phil. (Development Studies)