The role of tax incentives in enhancing the biodiversity economy of South Africa Webinar

On the 29^th November 2021 BIOFIN South Africa Country Office convened a webinar titled “The role of tax incentives in enhancing the biodiversity economy of South Africa”. The primary purpose of the webinar was to examine and provide constructive guidance on the role of tax incentives in enhancing and conserving biodiversity in South Africa. The webinar was well attended with about 60 attendees from various organizations participating.

Objectives of the webinar

• To discuss the effectiveness of biodiversity tax incentives in the conservation of biodiversity
• To assess the value proposition of tax incentives in South Africa
• To discuss the value and extent of reforms to current legislative spaces for tax incentives in South Africa including other potential tax incentive opportunities

The key speakers at the event were:

• Ms Flora Mokgohloa (Deputy Director General of Biodiversity and Conservation at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment- DFFE) in her capacity as the National Project Manager of the BIOFIN Project,
• Ms Nokutula Mhene - Programme Management Specialist of the BIOFIN Project under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP )
• Ms Candice Stevens - Taxation Specialist from Wilderness Foundation Africa (WFA)
• Ms Pamela Kershaw - the Deputy Director General of Biodiversity and Conservation at the DFFE
• Mr Andrew Seidl – Technical Advisor at the UNDP