South Africa

• IRP 2025 released; multi-trillion rand build-out signalled. Cabinet approved the Integrated Resource Plan 2025 outlining South Africa’s future energy mix and investment roadmap. Eskom welcomed the plan as a pathway balancing security, affordability and sustainability. Trade press estimate total investment needs at around R2.23 trillion (~$127bn) over the plan period. Key infographics from DMRE show emissions trajectories to be reconciled with the national NDC. Argus Media+3ESI Africa+3Eskom+3
• Court halts 3 GW gas plant authorisation. A South African court set aside the environmental authorisation for Eskom’s proposed 3,000 MW gas-fired power project, citing insufficient community consultation and life-cycle climate impact assessment—raising the bar for future fossil-fuel approvals. Mongabay
• Shale gas moratorium to be lifted. Government indicated it will lift the 13-year moratorium on shale gas exploration in the Karoo under new environmental and safety regulations—adding optionality in the medium-term energy mix and stirring debate on climate and water risks. Ecofin Agency
• G20 finance week: SA pushes governance reforms. As G20 president, South Africa called for greater transparency in credit-ratings methodologies to reduce developing-country capital costs—a governance theme relevant to ESG risk and access to transition finance. Reuters
• Market watch—governance signal: The rand firmed as investors weighed a potential FATF grey-list exit at this week’s plenary, underscoring the link between AML/counter-terrorist financing controls and the cost of capital. Reuters
• Sector dialogue: The Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference (SEACon) ran 15–16 Oct in Sandton, convening corporate, investor and public-sector leaders on disclosure, transition and impact themes. ZAWYA

Global

• EU eases its anti-deforestation law for small producers. The European Union agreed changes that exempt smallholders from parts of the deforestation regulation and simplify registration—important for importers of coffee, cocoa and other commodities and for SA firms with EU supply-chain exposure. Financial Times
• Climate finance: investors press governments. A group of institutional investors managing $3 trillion urged countries to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030, highlighting material financial risks from nature loss ahead of COP30. Reuters
• Energy outlook tightens the transition math. A new McKinsey outlook suggests fossil fuels may still supply >40% of global energy beyond 2050 as data-centre and industrial demand grows—implying tougher decarbonisation pathways and heightened efficiency needs. Reuters
• Article 6 carbon markets under scrutiny. Civil-society analysis criticised the UN’s Article 6.4 framework for weak permanence provisions, while the UNFCCC highlighted recent steps on reversal-risk guardrails—keep watching integrity criteria before using credits in strategies. Carbon Market Watch+1
• IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings: climate finance spotlight. Commentaries from think-tanks and officials point to a still-evolving $1.3 trillion/yr climate-finance roadmap for COP30; adaptation finance emerged as a priority alongside MDB reform. Climate Home News+2E3G+2

What this means for South African Heads of ESG

• Plan against the IRP—but check emissions alignment. IRP 2025 gives near-term direction for build-out and grid needs. Engage early on procurement pipelines and scenario-test IRP trajectories vs NDCs for credibility in ISSB-aligned transition plans. ESI Africa+1
• Permitting diligence is rising. The gas-plant ruling signals stricter expectations on stakeholder engagement and full life-cycle climate impacts. Apply those standards to any high-emitting projects and supply-chain decisions. Mongabay
• Supply-chain due diligence: update EUDR playbooks. EU tweaks to deforestation rules change compliance scope/timing for smallholders and processed goods—re-check exposure in coffee/cocoa/rubber/leather lines and maintain traceability. Financial Times
• Nature and finance: Investor pressure on deforestation will raise expectations on no-deforestation commitments and satellite-enabled monitoring. Prepare disclosures that link nature risk to financial materiality. Reuters
• Governance and capital costs: Progress on ratings transparency and potential FATF status changes can lower risk premia; ensure your governance disclosures (AML/ABC, beneficial ownership, whistle-blowing) are robust. Reuters+1