Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George has approved the publication of the draft ‘National Greenhouse Gas Carbon Budget and Mitigation Plan Regulations’ for public comment.

The regulations, alongside the accompanying declaration of the list of greenhouse gases and activities and associated technical guidelines, will be published in early August.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) said in a statement that the draft regulations had been widely consulted within and outside of government, and aligned with the Climate Change Act, 2024, as well as South Africa’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The DFFE added that they were designed to support South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions to limit greenhouse gas emissions to between 350-million and 420-million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030.

“By setting clear carbon budgets and mitigation plans, we are ensuring that our nation meets its climate commitments while fostering economic growth and social equity.

“I encourage all stakeholders to engage with the public comment process to shape these vital regulations,” George said.