The Information Revolution drives all aspects of globalisation, and global technology diffusion rapidly relays innovations from the developed world. In this world, dramatic measures to foster job creation lead to growth through local development following the 1999 elections. Globalisation is rejected while the government focuses on domestic issues, and SA is slow to drop trade tariffs and other protectionist economic measures. Black empowerment enterprises grow rapidly, particularly in the resource-exploitation arena and are the main route of limited foreign investment. Basic services costs are kept low and environmental costs are not internalised or accounted for.
Firms are compliance driven rather than aiming to improve performance.
Environmental problems are real and recognised but by consensus are regarded as subservient to growth, except for environmental health. SA's Commission for Sustainable Development finds itself constrained by lack of supporting capacity at national level. Only the broadest, national-level indicators of sustainability are agreed on. Firms and local authorities practice environmental management according to the demands of local stakeholders, strong in some sectors, and weak in others. Research is predominantly via a few under-funded, centralised national institutions and universities.