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The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of several partner organisations, submitted a formal comment to the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) regarding the proposed "Flexible Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system." The CER argues that the shift from a rules-based system to one based on administrative discretion risks violating constitutional rights to a healthy environment and just administrative action, potentially weakening environmental protections and public participation.

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), supported by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) and Promethium Carbon, has designed two financial instruments—a carbon credit-backed bond and a carbon repo facility—to address the supply-demand imbalance and liquidity challenges in South Africa's voluntary carbon market (VCM). These instruments aim to transform carbon credits into investable assets to mobilize private capital for climate mitigation projects.

This research paper by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) examines the role of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in providing climate finance for South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET). It focuses on the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), arguing that its current self-financing model and commercial risk appetite hinder its ability to provide the 'patient capital' necessary for green industrialisation and worker transitions. The paper proposes a shift toward recapitalisation via fiscal and monetary instruments, more concessional lending, and democratised governance to align the IDC with socially just and worker-centred climate goals.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, on behalf of the Life after Coal Campaign, submitted further comments on the draft South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) in August 2023. The submission argues that gender equality and justice must be a deliberate, central outcome of the energy transition rather than an afterthought, as systemic patriarchy and existing discrimination currently limit women's participation in the renewable energy sector.

This policy brief outlines six key actions to better integrate Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) holders into marine spatial planning (MSP) in South Africa. Based on a collaborative effort in Algoa Bay, the document argues that current ocean governance often neglects ILK and cultural heritage, recommending co-development of plans, increased transparency, improved data accessibility, and legislative alignment between the MSP Act and the Indigenous Knowledge Act.

This briefing memorandum, written by Danjelle Midgley of the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), outlines the legislative process, key role-players, and estimated timeframes for the National Climate Change Bill following its introduction to the South African Parliament on 11 October 2021.

This expert report by Nicholas King, commissioned by the Centre for Environmental Rights, analyzes the projected physical, socio-economic, and ecological impacts of climate change on youth and future generations in South Africa from 2021 through 2060 and beyond. It argues that under current 'business as usual' trajectories, large portions of the country may become uninhabitable, leading to systemic collapses in food and water security, infrastructure, and mental wellbeing.

This fact sheet describes a ZAR 1.1 billion green bond issued by Growthpoint Properties on March 9, 2018, marking the first time a South African corporate issued a green bond listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

This case study examines the 100 MW Eskom CSP power tower plant in Upington, South Africa, focusing on its financial structure, risk management, and the role of public funding in deploying emerging concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies.

The 'Air Quality Offset Policy' is a draft framework published by the Centre for Environmental Rights in January 2014. It proposes the use of environmental offsets—measures that counterbalance adverse atmospheric emissions—to balance South Africa's economic growth and industrial development with the constitutional right to a healthy environment. The policy outlines principles for offset design, specific application scenarios such as license variations or postponements, and the roles of applicants, licensing authorities, and communities in implementing these measures.

This policy brief analyzes the potential economic risks to South African exporters if the United States and European Union implement Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs). Using 2009 trade data and a hypothetical carbon price of US$20/tonne, the report estimates significant annual charges for South African exports, particularly in the non-ferrous metals and iron and steel sectors.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the strategic, economic, and political role of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Reserve Force (RF) system. It analyzes the challenges of transforming the RFs to be racially and culturally representative of a democratic South Africa while maintaining operational readiness for conventional deterrence, police support, and international peace missions.

This executive summary, authored by clinical psychologist Garret Barnwell for the Centre for Environmental Rights, outlines the psychological and mental health risks associated with climate change in South Africa. It specifically highlights the risks posed to children, future generations, and coal-affected communities resulting from the decision to develop new coal capacity.

This fact sheet from the Centre for Environmental Rights explains the purpose and importance of the Climate Change Bill introduced to Parliament in February 2022. The document outlines how the proposed law aims to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, manage climate adaptation, and define the roles of government bodies to ensure South Africa can respond safely to climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy.

The Eskom Air Quality Improvement Plan (Unique Identifier: 32-1143, Revision 1) outlines a strategy to reduce particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and mercury emissions from Eskom's power stations to comply with South African air quality legislation and maintain its 'licence to operate'. Approved by the Board Social Ethics and Sustainability Committee on 9 September 2016, the plan focuses on operational improvements, emission abatement retrofits, air quality offsets, and legal applications for leniency regarding Minimum Emission Standards (MES).

This guide, published by the Centre for Environmental Rights, provides instructions for individuals and communities in South Africa on how to identify environmental crimes committed by mining companies and the process for reporting these offences to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for criminal prosecution.

This technical report, prepared for the South African National Treasury by the Climate Policy Initiative and GreenCape, evaluates the international interoperability and usability of the South African Green Finance Taxonomy (SA GFT). The analysis focuses on three core pillars: Make a Substantial Contribution (MSC), Do No Significant Harm (DNSH), and Minimum Social Safeguards (MSS). While the SA GFT shows strong alignment with global standards in its environmental objectives and sectoral coverage, it faces significant challenges in the practical application and measurability of its DNSH and MSS criteria. The report recommends introducing more flexible alignment classifications, increasing the use of quantitative thresholds, and integrating existing national social regulations to enhance the taxonomy's usability and attractiveness for international investment.

The Green Outcomes Fund (GOF) is a pioneering climate finance instrument launched in January 2020 to incentivise investment in South Africa's green small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs). By using an outcomes-based payment model, the GOF provides grant funding to Catalytic Finance Partners (CFPs) who deploy private capital into green SMMEs, with reimbursements triggered by the creation of verified green outcomes, primarily permanent direct jobs.

This factsheet by GreenCape provides technical and financial guidance on implementing mini-hydro and wind power technologies in South African wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) to reduce energy costs and carbon footprints.

The Green Economy Climate Finance Database 2022, developed by GreenCape with support from the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), identifies over 150 finance opportunities across approximately 125 stakeholders to address information asymmetry in South Africa's green economy.