New national carbon budget regulations, which came into effect on January 1, will see some South African corporates taking a stricter stance on travel policies to reduce emissions, forcing TMCs to curate travel that balances affordability and sustainability.
Stricter sustainability requirementsThe Climate Change Act 2025, which came into effect in March 2025, requires all organs of state to track and publish reports on their carbon emissions and, by extension, their public and private bidders and suppliers. However, last year, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment also approved the publication of the Draft National Greenhouse Gas Carbon Budget and Mitigation Plan Regulations for public comment and implementation in 2026.
The Carbon Budget Regulation 2026, which is being finalised as a result, will see companies which currently emit more than 30 000 tonnes of Scope 1 CO2 per year and those that participate in carbon-intensive industries, receive a carbon budget for five-year cycles until 2040. These industries include mining and quarrying, manufacturing, energy, transport and waste management.
