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.
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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.
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Check them out here as they become available.
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SBTi releases second draft corporate net-zero standard V2 for consultation
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Deadline: 8 December 2025
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The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has released a second draft of its revised Corporate Net-Zero Standard for
public consultation.
Informed by feedback from the first public consultation and expert working groups, the updated draft reinforces scientific integrity while improving clarity, actionability, and usability - helping businesses translate science-based ambition into credible action.​​
The draft Standard aims to accelerate corporate decarbonization by:
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Making science-based climate action more accessible and actionable to empower more companies to set and implement ambitious targets and deliver measurable progress.
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Bringing forward a stronger, more inclusive framework, with enhanced differentiation reflecting the operational realities of different sectors and geographies.
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Providing a focused and flexible framework to address both operational and value chain emissions.
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Providing an end-to-end cycle that incentivises ambition and recognizes progress achieved at the end of
the target cycle.
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Introducing a new recognition mechanism to incentivize companies taking early, voluntary action to address the impact of their ongoing emissions.​
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As the SBTi’s flagship framework designed to accelerate ambitious and credible corporate climate action, the Standard already provides businesses worldwide with the science-based tools they need to successfully manage net-zero transition risks and opportunities, to remain competitive in an increasingly carbon-constrained world.
Introducing a simpler, more streamlined structure and innovative approach, the proposed Standard draft aims to make net-zero target setting easier to understand, apply, and scale across sectors and regions, while maintaining alignment with global climate goals.​​
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​Explore the second draft of the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2 with the digital consultation guide.
Here you can download the draft, respond to the consultation survey or download the survey.
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For any questions regarding the survey or the consultation process, please contact standards@sciencebasedtargets.org. The consultation period is open until December 8, 2025 at 09:00 GMT.
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Consultation paper: Developing the South African carbon credit market
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Deadline: 1 December 2025
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National Treasury has published the consultation paper: Developing the South African Carbon Credit Market.
The paper proposes reforms to modernise carbon credit infrastructure, clarify legal and financial regulations, and stimulate investment in South Africa’s low-carbon economy. The recommendations aim to reduce administrative barriers and enhance the role of financial institutions and regulators in developing a resilient, high-integrity secondary carbon credit market.​​
Key recommendations:
1. Defining the legal nature of carbon credits
2. Reforming the registry architecture
3. Introducing appropriate standards and local capacity
4. Adjusting financial market regulation
5. Developing an exchange control framework
6. Ensuring market integrity and efficiency
7. Linking to broader climate policy objectives​​
Background:
South Africa’s carbon tax, introduced in 2019, forms the backbone of a market-based approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon offsets play a critical role in helping companies lower emissions while contributing to sustainable development. The consultation paper supports this framework by addressing key challenges affecting the carbon credit market and outlining pathways to build a credible and investment-ready ecosystem.
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Stakeholder engagement:
Stakeholders are encouraged to submit feedback via the online questionnaire by 1 December 2025.
Additional queries can be directed via email to: Financial.Policy@treasury.gov.za
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