166-38 Leading the way for a better tomorrow. JSE Sustainability Disclosure Guidance, June 2022

Summary

While the JSE has implicitly held requirements for sustainability disclosure through its links to the King Codes on corporate governance, there has been no prior detailed guidance to assist listed companies on sustainability/ESG reporting. This document provides that support and lays out the wide range of benefits to sustainability disclosure guidance. It recognises the need for clear guidance that achieves the following: 1. To help local companies to navigate the rapidly changing ESG landscape; 2. To acknowledge and reflect South Africa’s unique sustainability challenges; 3. To assist in driving improved ESG performance, accountability, and business leadership; and 4. To contribute to enhanced transparency and consistency. In response to the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainability standards and frameworks, this guidance provides JSE-listed issuers with guidelines specifically tailored to the South African context, while being fully cognisant of global best practice. This Disclosure Guidance will serve as a foundation for further, topic specific guidance. The first of these sub-topics is Climate Disclosure, which will be released alongside this document.

Thumbnail image for While the JSE has implicitly held requirements for sustainability disclosure through its links to the King Codes on corporate governance, there has been no prior detailed guidance to assist listed companies on sustainability/ESG reporting. This document provides that support and lays out the wide range of benefits to sustainability disclosure guidance. It recognises the need for clear guidance that achieves the following: 1. To help local companies to navigate the rapidly changing ESG landscape; 2. To acknowledge and reflect South Africa’s unique sustainability challenges; 3. To assist in driving improved ESG performance, accountability, and business leadership; and 4. To contribute to enhanced transparency and consistency. In response to the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainability standards and frameworks, this guidance provides JSE-listed issuers with guidelines specifically tailored to the South African context, while being fully cognisant of global best practice. This Disclosure Guidance will serve as a foundation for further, topic specific guidance. The first of these sub-topics is Climate Disclosure, which will be released alongside this document.

Issuer

South Africa

Year

2021

Region

Africa

Issuer (type)

Johannesburg Stock Exchange (Stock Exchange)

Policy Type

Disclosure

Geographical scope

National

Mandatory or voluntary

Voluntary

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

Voluntary Use

Main industries targeted

Finance & Insurance
Mining, Quarrying, Oil & Gas Extraction
Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
Manufacturing

Restrictiveness

Low

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 10: Reduced Inequality
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 15: Life on Land
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions