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.