Minerals Council Launches 2026 Climate Position
The mining industry body released its updated climate position ahead of COP31 talks in Turkey.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Environmental
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The Minerals Council South Africa launched its 2026 Climate Change Position at its first Climate Change Day of Learning. The position was released ahead of the COP31 global climate talks in Turkey.
Why it matters
South Africa is a developing country under the Paris Agreement and hosts major platinum group metals, manganese, chrome, iron ore and vanadium deposits. Mining is a priority growth sector, while coal continues to play an important role in the country's energy security.
The position is an update of the 2023 Climate Change Position, released in 2026 ahead of COP31. The source does not provide quantitative targets or measured figures, and the specific commitments it contains are not detailed.
The players
Minerals Council South Africa
The industry body representing the country's mining sector, which issued the updated climate position.
The details
The position was launched at the Minerals Council's first Climate Change Day of Learning, themed Mining, climate action and the road to COP31. The Day of Learning brought together mining industry, government and climate specialists to discuss climate policy, carbon markets and renewable energy.
Timeline
November 2026: Position released ahead of COP31 talks in Turkey.
Big Picture
South Africa is a developing country under the Paris Agreement, and the mining sector's 2026 position sets out its climate approach within that framework ahead of COP31. The update follows the Minerals Council's 2023 Climate Change Position, tracking how the sector's stance has evolved.
The position signals how South Africa's mining sector intends to approach emissions and energy policy in the lead-up to COP31. Readers following national energy security and industrial policy will see how the sector frames its role in the country's climate commitments.
The takeaway
The mining sector's updated climate position shows how South Africa's key industry is positioning itself ahead of international climate negotiations. Tracking such sector positions helps clarify where national energy and emissions debates are heading.
Further reading
Explore more on Environmental news and analysis from across South Africa.
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Should South Africa keep coal and mining central to its energy future?
