ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on a relatively new area of corporate activity in South Africa: the formation of so-called voluntary initiatives in the field of energy and environment. Although part of a worldwide trend towards corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability, voluntary initiatives have only become a significant factor in South African business. The chapter examines the conflicting needs of, and confrontations between, industry and the 'environment community' in South Africa. It also examines the initial success of a more voluntary initiative, which appears to have achieved an extremely broad consensus within the business community: the development of a National Energy Efficiency Accord, involving a wide range of actors from the business community and national government. The International Energy Agency produces reports regarding the status of government policies for energy efficiency on a regular basis, and these reports also include references to voluntary initiatives in this very important area.
