By Abbas Nazil
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has appointed 25 commissioners to the country’s newly established Climate Change Commission, marking a major step in implementing the Climate Change Act.
The appointments, announced by the Presidency, conclude a nationwide public nomination process that began in August and was designed to ensure transparency and broad public participation.
According to the Presidency, the new commission reflects a wide cross-section of South African society, with members drawn from business, labour, civil society, traditional leadership structures, youth formations and the South African Local Government Association.
The Climate Change Commission is expected to play a central advisory role as South Africa rolls out its national climate change response framework and aligns policy across different sectors.
Its primary mandate will be to advise government on achieving policy coherence, guiding just transition pathways and balancing greenhouse gas emission reductions with economic growth and social protection.
The Presidency said the nominations process followed Section 10(4)(a) of the Climate Change Act, which requires that the establishment of the commission be carried out through public participation.
Nominations were invited from across the country, evaluated against criteria set out in the legislation and subjected to due consideration before the final selection of commissioners.
The government emphasized that the inclusive process was intended to strengthen public trust and ensure that the commission reflects diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
In addition to mitigation efforts, the commission will provide guidance on climate adaptation strategies aimed at reducing the impacts of climate-related shocks.
These include droughts, floods and extreme weather events that have increasingly affected South Africa and continue to place a heavier burden on vulnerable communities.
The commission is also expected to support government planning on how to build resilience in key sectors such as agriculture, water management, energy and local government.
By bringing together expertise from different parts of society, the body is intended to help bridge the gap between policy, implementation and community realities.
South Africa faces mounting pressure to respond effectively to climate change while addressing persistent inequality, unemployment and energy challenges.
The Climate Change Commission is seen as a critical mechanism for ensuring that climate action does not deepen social and economic divides.
It will also advise on pathways that protect workers and communities affected by the transition away from high-emission industries.
The Presidency said the establishment of the commission signals government’s commitment to a coordinated, consultative and long-term approach to climate governance.
As climate impacts intensify across the country, the new body is expected to become a key platform for shaping South Africa’s response to one of its most pressing challenges.
The appointments come as South Africa continues to position itself as a leading voice on climate action and just transition issues on the African continent and globally.
