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A closer look at just transition policies
South Africa

Climate Change Act, No 22 of 2024

Region
Africa
Country
South Africa
Originator/Owner
Government Ministries And Agencies National Level
Coordinating/Lead actor
Presidential Climate Commission (independent oversight and advisory role) and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (implementation)
Policy type
Policies
Policy areas
Industrial and sectoral policies, Other
Environmental focus
Climate change
Target groups
Employers, Indigenous people, Other, Women, Workers, Youth
Sectoral focus
No sectoral focus
Crosscutting themes
Finance (public/private), Green economy
Date of Adoption
23 Jul 2024
Timeframe
23 Jul 2024 - 17 Mar 2025
23 Jul 2024
Climate Change Act enters into law
17 Mar 2025
Proclamation and commencement date of the Act
South Africa's Climate Change Act, No 22 of 2024
English, PDF

The Climate Change Act, 2024 establishes South Africa’s first integrated legal framework for coordinating and implementing national climate change responses.

Its purpose is to support an effective response to climate impacts and guide the country’s just transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. The Act takes precedence over other climate-related legislation and requires that all government strategies and decisions align with its objectives.

The Act creates institutional arrangements across national, provincial, and municipal spheres, obliging all levels of government to mainstream climate considerations into planning, decision-making, and development activities. It combines mitigation and adaptation measures to address both the causes and impacts of climate change, as well as their socioeconomic implications.

Key policy instruments include a National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trajectory, sectoral emissions targets, mandatory carbon budgets and mitigation plans for designated private entities, climate risk and vulnerability assessments, adaptation strategies and response plans. Responsibilities for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting are established to ensure consistency and accountability.

Key insights
The framework law reinforces institutional preconditions for a just transition to be realised

Invoking the commitment in South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contribution, the Act sets a definition of a just transition and enshrines it as one of 12 principles that must be followed in implementation of its provisions.

In the Act, just transition "means a shift towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy and society and ecologically sustainable economies and societies which contribute toward the creation of decent work for all, social inclusion and the eradication of poverty" (p. 10).

Importantly, the legislation puts the Presidential Climate Commission on statutory footing. This independent, multistakeholder advisory body has been instrumental towards efforts to advance a just transition in South Africa – most notably, by developing the Just Transition Framework, which acts as a key guidance document for wider initiatives and decision-making.

Expected Outcomes
By strengthening the multi-level governance framework, the Act supports a more effective and coordinated response to climate change
Implementation
Implementing foundational legislation through a phased approach

The Climate Change Act creates interactions between government ministries and responsibilities for subnational governments. The overarching climate response encompasses national, provincial and local governments, backed by a finance mechanism to be prescribed by the leading ministry in consultation with the finance ministry.

It is implemented through a series of legal instruments, in a phased manner. When the Act was proclaimed in March 2025, many of its provisions setting out these requirements were deferred, as the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) developed a set of implementing regulations.

Certain provisions for implementation are likely to support delivery of an inclusive and just transition. For example:

  • Sectoral emissions targets, which must be set by the ministry responsible for environmental affairs in consultation with key line ministries, must take into account the socio-economic implications of such targets.
  • Line ministries are required to implement the targets through relevant planning instruments, policies and programmes, and monitor progress. Sectoral emissions targets are reviewed every five years (again, jointly between ministries), including with respect to the approach to the just transition.
  • Sectoral, provincial, and local adaptation plans must map and consider the vulnerability of communities.
  • Provincial and municipal intergovernmental forums are directed to address regional and local climate change and transition impacts – thereby devolving action and enabling place-based strategies.
Climate change governance structures welcomed and participated in by labour, business, and other stakeholders
2021 - Ongoing
Presidential Climate Commission deliberations and advice | Actors: Government, organized labour, civil society, traditional leaders, the South African Local Government Association, business, local communities | Regular meetings of the Commissioners and targeted dialogues with societal stakeholders on climate change policy and just transition.
Sep 2022 - Jul 2023
Submissions from stakeholders on Climate Change Bill | Actors: Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Congress of South African Trade Unions, energy companies Eskom and Sasol, human rights institutions, civil society groups and other stakeholders | Physical and virtual public hearings, written submissions.
Other stakeholders
Creating space for a range of actors to advise on climate change responses

The Act states that, in addition to organized labour and business, civil society, traditional leaders and other relevant stakeholders may also advise on the Republic’s climate change response – stating explicitly that this is in towards the attainment of a just transition.

It also creates public consultation processes: specifically, it requires national, provincial, and municipal decision-makers to communicate intended actions in the media, and invite members of the public to submit representations or objections during a 30-day window.