Play Your Part

Documents to comment on and calls for papers

Among other areas, modern democracies require free, prior, informed consent and regular stakeholder engagement to work. The same applies to the world of sustainable finance. However, even with the best of intentions, it’s not always easy to keep up with opportunities to engage with sustainable finance policies.

Which is why we have decided to start to alert you to climate-related financing and financial sector policies - including standard processes - that are open for public comment and are relevant at a global, African and South African level.

Check them out here as they become available.

Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), South Africa:

Discussion Paper on ESG Rating Services and Data Providers

Deadline: 30 April 2026

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating services and ESG data product providers play a growing role in sustainable finance by supporting investment decisions, risk management, stewardship, and sustainability disclosures. As their use increases, concerns about transparency, governance, and conflicts of interest have intensified, underscoring the need for a clear and balanced policy approach.

This Discussion Paper on ESG Rating Services and Data Providers forms part of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) Sustainable Finance Programme of Work, under the Market Development pillar with linkages to disclosure, reporting and assurance. The paper summarises the FSCA’s progress, reviews regulatory approaches in selected jurisdictions, and seeks stakeholder input on potential policy and regulatory options for South Africa. It is published for consultation and does not establish final policy positions.

Invitation for comment recommendations:

To assist the FSCA in formulating an informed view on the appropriateness of a regulatory framework for ESG ratings and data providers, the FSCA has prepared a questionnaire to gather inputs from stakeholders.

The FSCA hereby invite comments from ESG ratings and data providers, ESG ratings users, credit rating agencies, and all
interested persons on the questions contained in Annexure A in the discussion paper ("DISCUSSION DOCUMENT: THE DEVELOPMENTS AROUND ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) RATING SERVICES AND DATA PRODUCT PROVIDERS".)

Comments must be submitted in the comment template attached as Annexure A, to the FSCA via email,

at FSCA.RFDStandards@fsca.co.za by 30 April 2026.