The Climate Change Act 22 of 2024 was signed into law by Cyril Ramaphosa on 18 July 2024 and published in the Government Gazette. The Act establishes South Africa’s first comprehensive legislative framework to enable an effective national response to climate change and to support a long-term, just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society. 

The Taxation Laws Amendment Act 2026, gazetted on 1 April 2026, introduces a penalty of R640/tCO₂e for emissions above approved carbon budgets under the Carbon Tax Act 15 of 2019. This measure strengthens South Africa’s carbon pricing framework, enforces compliance with sectoral emissions limits, and supports Phase 2 of the carbon tax regime. The commencement date will be set by the Minister of Finance through a notice in the Government Gazette.

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment approved the publication of the Draft National Greenhouse Gas Carbon Budget and Mitigation Plan Regulations for public comment in July 2025.