Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the new cohort of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) Commissioners for the 2026 - 2030 tenure. The 25 commissioners have been appointed in terms of the Climate Change Act, 2024.

According to South African Government News Agency, the commissioners are representative of broader sections of South African society, including business, labour, civil society, traditional leadership, youth, and the South African Local Government Association. This diverse representation aims to ensure a comprehensive approach to tackling climate change and related issues.

The Presidency highlighted that the commissioners bring relevant experience in climate change, environmental policy, sustainable development, economic development, energy, and social justice. The appointments were made with a strong consideration for achieving diversity in gender, age, geographic spread, and background in line with national transformation goals and procedural justice principles.

The appointments are a culmination of a public nomination process initiated in August 2025, in accordance with Section 10(4)(a) of the Climate Change Act. The initial establishment of the PCC was an outcome of the 2018 Presidential Jobs Summit, where social partners agreed to create a multistakeholder body to coordinate and oversee South Africa's just transition to a low-carbon, inclusive, and climate-resilient economy and society.

President Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation for the outgoing commissioners for their leadership and achievements over the first five years. He commended their role in shaping domestic climate policy, fostering inclusive national dialogue, and amplifying South Africa's Climate Diplomacy.

The President called on the new commissioners to individually and collectively continue to fulfil their role and mandate of providing independent, evidence-based advice. He urged them to facilitate inclusive dialogue in the pursuit of a consensus to address South Africa's complex climate and development agenda and to implement the country's just transition framework.

The President will announce the Deputy Chairperson at the first Meeting of the Commission in 2026 and will further outline high-level priorities for the Commission for the next five years. The list of appointed commissioners includes prominent figures such as Dr Phindile Masangane, Ms Catherine Constantinides, and Prof Imraan Valodia, among others.