The Climate Change Act is now in effect in South Africa, but certain provisions have not yet gone live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Act, which President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law last year, was proclaimed by the president on Monday, 17 March 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Act will enable the development of effective climate change policies and the long-term transition to a low-carbon economy and society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Act also aims to lay the foundation for a resilient, future-focused and inclusive ‘green economy’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It will also support job creation in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism and other sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Act represents a critical milestone not just for environmental sustainability, but for economic development and job creation,” said Minister for the Environment Dion George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We are committed to ensuring that climate action becomes a catalyst for driving economic growth, creating jobs, and building a sustainable future for South Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa faces growing environmental and economic complexities as the nation’s largest insurers highlight increasing extreme weather events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it must be noted that not all provisions of the Act have come into operation. Parts of sections 12 through 22, 35, 26, 27 and 30 have been deferred to a later date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reason for these deferrals is that these specific provisions are that the department is developing a set of regulations that will enable these provisions to be implemented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of these draft regulations are at an advanced stage of development and will be gazetted for public input and comment soon, George said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The department said it will keep the public informed of the finalisation of the regulations and the full implementation of the Climate Change Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe recent severe weather conditions that have caused havoc in different parts of the country are a stark reminder of the urgent need for decisive climate action,” said George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new laws also have several features the private sector should be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Law firm Bowmans’ Claire Tucker and Marga Jordaan previously said that the most important of these relates to emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Act states that the minister will need to develop the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Climate Change Act can be found below: <\/p>\n\n\n\n