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The impact of the COVID-19 enforced lockdown and fiscal package on the South African economy and environment: a preliminary analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 September 2021

Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu
Affiliation:
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Martin Henseler
Affiliation:
Thünen Institute of Rural Studies, Braunschweig, Germany Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP), Nairobi, Kenya EDEHN – Equipe d'Economie Le Havre Normandie, University of Le Havre Normandie, Le Havre, France
Ramos Mabugu
Affiliation:
Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley, South Africa
Helene Maisonnave*
Affiliation:
EDEHN – Equipe d'Economie Le Havre Normandie, University of Le Havre Normandie, Le Havre, France
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: Helene.maisonnave@univ-lehavre.fr

Abstract

This paper offers a quantitative assessment of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdown and government fiscal plan, containing ‘green’ elements on the economy and the environment of South Africa. The analysis uses a dynamic computable general equilibrium model operationalised using a social accounting matrix coupled with a greenhouse gas balance and emissions data. We find that while the economy is harshly impacted by the pandemic in the short term, the government fiscal package ameliorates and cushions the negative effects on poor households. Importantly, an adaptation of the fiscal package towards a ‘greener’ policy achieves the same economic outcome and reduces unemployment. Carbon dioxide emissions decrease in the short run due to economic slowdown. This improvement persists until 2030. These results can be used as decision support for policy makers on how to orient the post COVID-19 policies to be pro-poor and pro-environment, and thus, ‘build back better and fairer’.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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