The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has officially entered the carbon market, executing its first trades of carbon credits eligible for offsetting South Africa’s Carbon Tax. A total of 10,000 carbon credits changed hands on the JSE Ventures Voluntary Carbon Market at $8.25 per credit—equivalent to roughly 80% of the country’s current carbon tax rate of ZAR190 ($10.30) per tonne of CO₂.
A natural landscape of Southern Africa. AI generated picture.
This marks a significant milestone for the JSE’s sustainability-driven offerings. JSE Ventures, launched in 2023 as a joint venture with US-based environmental markets firm Xpansiv, was designed to connect carbon credit producers with buyers looking for viable offset solutions.
‘These transactions reaffirm the JSE's commitment to providing products in the sustainability sector that not only support investment into projects producing carbon credits but also introducing a wider buyer network to the sellers of the credits’, said Valdene Reddy, director of capital markets at the JSE.
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Reddy emphasised that the platform is open to all South African corporations subject to the Carbon Tax, inviting them to explore eligible offsets.
South Africa introduced its Carbon Tax in 2019 as part of a phased approach to emissions reduction. The tax system allows businesses to use certified carbon credits to partially meet their obligations, incentivising investment in carbon mitigation projects.
Since its inception, JSE Ventures has been working to onboard participants onto the Xpansiv platform. The exchange has also been engaging with project developers and financial stakeholders to strengthen the supply of environmental credits from the region.
With this first transaction, the JSE carbon market is now operational, setting the stage for increased activity as more companies look for cost-effective ways to meet their carbon tax responsibilities.
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As South Africa’s carbon market gains traction, businesses have more opportunities than ever to compensate for emissions while supporting sustainability initiatives. At DGB Group, we help companies and individuals take meaningful steps toward carbon compensation through nature-based solutions that restore ecosystems and create lasting environmental impact. By investing in high-quality carbon credits, you’re not just meeting compliance needs—you’re contributing to a greener future. Ready to take action? Discover how DGB can help you address your carbon footprint today.
