THE CLIMATE COMMISSION WELCOMES THE PROCLAMATION OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE ACT

MEDIA STATEMENT

17 March 2025

THE CLIMATE COMMISSION WELCOMES THE PROCLAMATION OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE ACT

Johannesburg – Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) welcomes a historic and pivotal moment for South Africa’s climate action response measures as President Cyril Ramaphosa, today proclaimed the Climate Change Act, 2024 (Act No. 22 of 2024). A landmark piece of legislation that underscores the nation’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster a resilient, low-carbon economy.

The proclamation, made public in the Government Gazette on 17 March 2025, signals South Africa’s firm commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the United Nations Framework Connection on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement and its dedication to the global effort to combat climate change.

The proclamation follows the 17^th Quarterly meeting of the PCC held on 7^th March 2025, the commissioning outlined its 2025 work programme building on this historic legislative milestone by focusing on enhancing support for community resilience, addressing social and economic implications of a just transition, enhancing our understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved, to implement a fair energy transition across South Africa and to capture the advantages of it.

PCC Executive Director, Ms Dorah Modise said “We extend our appreciation to Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Dr Dion George, for his outstanding leadership and commitment to addressing climate change and overall support for the work of the commission. His steadfast endorsement of the Climate Change Act, 2024, along with his vision for a sustainable and resilient future for all South Africans, has been instrumental in bringing this significant legislation to its current phase of implementation”.

“As the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) concludes the phase of gazetting the enabling draft regulations We urge the stakeholders to register their views to enable the full implementation of the Climate Change Act, as we work together to enhance the nation’s climate response in achieving long-term climate resilience and just society,” Ms Modise said.

The Climate Change Act sets out the legal mandate for countrywide climate change response, to enable the alignment of South Africa’s climate change response policy and actions, including mitigation and adaptation actions, which also constitute our country's fair contribution to the global climate change response.

Issued by the Presidential Climate Commission