In March 2025, key provisions of the Climate Change Act 22 of 2024 officially came into effect. This landmark legislation marks a critical step in the South Africa’s efforts to combat climate change, aligning national policy with constitutional obligations and international commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The Act sets out a binding framework to transition South Africa toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy, with an emphasis on ensuring a just transition. It imposes robust obligations across all sectors and spheres of government through the introduction of Sectoral Emissions Targets (SETs) and carbon budgets.
Implementation of the SETs will be guided by the Draft Sectoral Emissions Targets Report, published in April 2024. This report outlines proposed emissions targets for key industries including energy, mining, manufacturing, and agriculture. These targets are instrumental in enabling South Africa to meet its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction commitments as outlined in the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
The Act also mandates provinces and municipalities to incorporate climate adaptation and mitigation measures into their planning and legislative instruments. However, the commencement of these obligations has been deferred until the finalisation of the National Adaptation Strategy and Plan.
Currently, the government is developing regulations to give effect to various aspects of the Act, including:
- The listing of the Presidential Climate Commission as an independent and impartial legal entity under the Public Finance Management Act
- Regulations on greenhouse gas emission reductions,
- The framework for the allocation and enforcement of carbon budgets, and
- Measures for the phase-out of synthetic greenhouse gases.
Organisations are encouraged to take proactive steps to align their operations with South Africa’s sustainability objectives by adopting green technologies and practices, and by contributing to the transition toward a just, low-carbon, and climate-resilient economy and society.
Contact Ariscu to keep up to date with these and other legislative requirements.
