Collaborating to facilitate investment and the shift to a green economy that can improve social wellbeing and ecosystem services in the Port Elizabeth western catchment areas

The city of Port Elizabeth and its western catchment areas are experiencing considerable environmental, economic and social challenges, including energy and water supply constraints, that undermine the city’s potential to grow. Considerable environmental degradation due to poor farming practices, transformation of wetlands and rivers and the spread of invasive alien plants has had a negative effect on the hydrology of local river systems, which is threatening water security. The disadvantaged groups in this area need considerable support and business mentoring to identify and benefit from new and emerging green economic opportunities. This project proposes to bring a wide variety of people in the Kouga and Krom catchments together to address the sustainable development challenges and effect a shift to sustainable consumption and production and eco-entrepreneurship practices.