DFFE Calls for Comment on Draft 2nd Biennial Transparency Report

Posted 06 November 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Environmental Law

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has gazetted and called for public comment on South Africa’s draft second Biennial Transparency Report prepared under international treaty reporting obligations.

In terms of South Africa’s commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Enhanced Transparency Framework established under Article 13 of the 2015 Paris Agreement, parties are required to submit biennial reports detailing national climate action, emissions accounting, and support mechanisms. The draft report forms the baseline for the country’s submission ahead of the formal finalisation deadline in December 2026.

According to the department’s notice, the draft report compiles national reporting data, including:

  • National greenhouse gas inventory reporting and sectoral emission baselines;
  • Tracking of progress towards achieving South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Climate Change Act, No. 22 of 2024;
  • Climate change impact assessments and domestic adaptation measures; and
  • Financial, technology transfer, and capacity-building support needed and received.

Interested and affected parties are invited to review the draft report and submit written representations and comments to the Department by no later than 20 November 2026.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Environmental law practitioners and carbon consultants should benchmark advisory methodologies and reporting metrics against the technical inventory data in the draft document.
  • For your business: Carbon-intensive and industrial businesses should audit internal emissions tracking systems to ensure alignment with the verified greenhouse gas data driving future statutory emission thresholds.
  • For your clients: Corporate clients facing emissions-reduction mandates under the Climate Change Act must review national trajectory data and submit substantive comments on sectoral allocations prior to the 20 November 2026 closing date.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/climate-change-input-sought-on-unfccc-related-2nd-biennial-transparency-report

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