On 2 November 2015, the South African National Treasury
published a Draft Carbon Tax Bill (the
"Bill") for public comment, with the
comment period commencing immediately and continuing until 15
December 2015.
Synopsis
International focus on mechanisms to mitigate global greenhouse
("GHG") emissions has always included
the notion of carbon pricing among a range of measures. This is one
of the stated reasons for government's persistence in
introducing a carbon tax into the South African economy, namely as
part of government's mix of measures to spur domestic
mitigation efforts. South Africa is not alone in these efforts.
Since January 2012, the number of carbon pricing instruments
already implemented or planned for implementation has almost
doubled, rising from 20 to 38. Similarly, the proportion of
emissions covered by carbon pricing has risen threefold over the
last decade. This article places the Bill in its international
context and locates it within evolving
