Johannesburg, South Africa — The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA), together with the Confederation of Danish Industries (DI), has issued a national call for manufacturers to join the upcoming Climate Smart Business Programme, a three-year initiative designed to help companies prepare for stricter global carbon-reporting standards and the accelerating shift toward low-carbon industrial production.
The programme, set to begin in the first quarter of 2026, is aimed at helping South African manufacturers build a strong business case for decarbonisation. SEIFSA says the initiative will give companies access to a free digital learning platform covering the climate agenda, decarbonisation pathways and practical self-assessment tools that allow firms to measure and track their carbon footprint annually.
SEIFSA Chief Executive Officer-designate Tafadzwa Chibanguza said the initiative comes at a crucial time as the sector faces increasing competitive pressures from global carbon regulations, including the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). He noted that the programme provides manufacturers with practical tools to measure, report and reduce emissions, strengthening the data foundations companies need to stay competitive in export markets shaped by emerging climate requirements.
During its pilot phase, the Climate Smart Business Programme will select a minimum of 15 companies across the metals, engineering and manufacturing value chains. Participants will receive training and technical support from SEIFSA and DI experts, guidance on data collection and emissions mapping, and a company-specific Climate Readiness Report and Decarbonisation Action Plan. They will also join a peer-learning network within the sector.
Participation is free of charge, and companies of all sizes, from foundries and fabricators to machinery and component producers — are encouraged to apply. Selection will prioritise exporters to the European Union, representation across industry sub-sectors, geographic diversity, and maturity in carbon reporting. All company data will be kept confidential and used only for aggregated analysis.
To take part, companies must nominate at least two staff members to attend training, commit roughly eight hours a month to workshops and data activities, and provide relevant operational and energy data to support their emissions analysis. A formal call for nominations will be issued early in the new year.
SEIFSA represents 16 employer associations across the metals and engineering industries, with over 1,300 member companies employing more than 140,000 workers nationally.
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