News & updates
Clean Creatives South Africa – Civil Society Letter
21 March 2023 This Human Rights Day, a coalition of 22 organisations is calling on South African PR and advertising agencies to decline future work
Clean Creatives SA Attends Advertising Week Africa
16 February 2023 by Molebo Sehume Advertising Week Africa 2023 had its inaugural debut in February 2023 at Vodaworld in Midrand. It was quite energising
Clean Creatives SA Engages the Durban Creative and PR Industry
DURBAN, 17 February 2023 by Stephen Horn It was great to go back to my hometown to connect with the Durban creative and PR community
Clean Creatives SA Hosts Event During Loeries Creative Week 2022
On the 5th of October 2022, Clean Creatives South Africa hosted a creatives meetup and panel discussion titled “The Climate is Changing, Is Advertising?” during
Clean Creatives South Africa launches in Cape Town
Following a soft launch in marketing industry publication, MarkLives.com in November 2021, the South African chapter of the US-based Clean Creatives campaign held its public
Event summary: The climate crisis, the labour movement and fossil fuel divestment
On 16 March, as guests of our co-hosts from the International Labour Research and Information Group (ILRIG), we presented a talk on climate issues as
UCT commits to divestment
UCT students protest in favour of fossil fuel divestment, 11 March 2022. Pic: James Granelli. Eight years after we first wrote to UCT asking for divestment, the university
China cancels proposed 3GW coal plant in the Limpopo MM-SEZ
Following the September announcement by China’s Premier Xi Jinping that China would no longer finance new coal power abroad, we wondered about the implications of
Global divestment commitments now span institutions worth nearly $40 trillion
When we started working on building a fossil fuel divestment movement here in South Africa, the global pool of capital that had committed to removing
Sasol: Industrial-scale greenwash
Sasol recently set new targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, particularly, a 30% reduction by 2030 and “net zero” by 2050. Sasol is undoubtedly a
UCT’s responsible investment panel (UPRI) recommends divestment
Pic: UPRI chair Professor Tom Moultrie accepts a memorandum – calling for the university to divest – from UCT Green Campus Initiative students and Fossil
The climate crisis: Four things South Africans can do right now
On Monday evening, we were hosted by Extinction Rebellion’s group in the Cape Town South Peninsula. It was the first time we’ve done an event
Press Release: Students & Fossil Free SA protest UCT’s investments in fossil fuels
On Tuesday 11 May, UCT students protested to urge the UCT University Panel on Responsible Investment (UPRI) to make the strongest possible recommendations on fossil
Call on UCT to Divest from Fossil Fuels: Submit your Response to UCT’s Responsible Investment Panel
After years of putting pressure on the University of Cape Town to divest from climate-breaking fossil fuels, the university has at last formally launched its responsible investment panel
#InvestFossilFree: Joint letter-writing campaign to SA’s biggest asset managers
Stand up with us and ask your asset managers to #InvestFossilFree. Our latest campaign is calling on SA’s leading asset managers to create truly fossil
Guide for sustainable investing | UCT Convocation update | 2020 wrap up
The following was extracted from our 2020 closing newsletter. You can sign up for our newsletters straight to your inbox here. What a year this
UCT campaign updates
Letters to the new Council in support of divestment have now been sent by: two groups of UCT academics and students, centred on the faculty
Time to divest from murder: Fossil Free SA condemns the brutal murder of anti-coal activist Fikile Ntshangase + a call to action
Call to Action In support of groundWork’s recent request “for a speedy and urgent investigation to arrest and put on trial those responsible for the murder of
UCT Campaign Update and Webinar
Date: 11 November Time: 19h30 Place: https://meet.google.com/ygz-bjuw-irv Please register your attendance below or via bit.ly/ffsa-uct-webinar We’ve been campaigning for UCT to stop investing in climate-breaking fossil
Fossil Free SA and 350 Africa congratulate eThekwini/Durban on becoming the second South African city to commit to ending its investments in fossil fuels
Fossil Free South Africa and 350 Africa congratulate the City of eThekwini/Durban on becoming the second South African city to commit to phasing out investments
Act now: A new action for our UCT campaign
We have a significant opportunity for YOU to help progress our campaign asking UCT to start divesting its endowment fund from fossil fuels THIS YEAR,
We can’t protect our shared global climate until Black Lives Matter
We have always been clear that at the heart of our campaign to halt all investments in climate-breaking fossil fuels, is the pursuit to advance
Call for Donations: Fossil Free SA launches crowdfunding campaign
We’re working to create investment funds that invest in a safer climate and secure future for our children. Campaigning for a world without the deadly
Planet A Investment: a new Fossil Free SA newsletter for financial professionals
This year we are launching an additional newsletter, Planet A Investment, for financial professionals. Take a look at the first of many newsletters to come
Apocalypse now or apocalypse later? How bad is climate breakdown? (An internal Fossil Free SA conversation.)
Last week, we had a conversation amongst ourselves which went something like this: Q. Not urgent, but when you do have a moment I would
UCT’s Convocation votes strongly in favour of fossil fuel divestment – again
Last Thursday, UCT’s Convocation, the body comprising all alumni and academic staff, passed a vote overwhelmingly in favour (40 votes in favour and 8 against)
Why fossil fuel divestment is so important for UCT and South Africa
Well, I’ve heard [this claim] that divestment is ineffective and I would like to suggest otherwise. Taking the South African case, where I wrote a
We’re (still) calling on UCT to divest
UCT’s Convocation, the body comprising all alumni and academic staff, meets on Thursday 12 December 2019 at Kramer Building Lecture Theatre 1, Middle Campus at 17h00
How (the hell) do I divest from fossil fuels, and a sorry cautionary tale
A friend just asked me on Facebook: How would you advise people to handle disinvestment with their financial advisors in terms of the funds they
IRP 2019: More coal. Really?
The following was sent out to our mailing list in response to the recent gazetting of the integrated resource plan in South Africa. For news
Financing the Future Webinar
The following message was published by the Financing the Future Steering committee: Earlier this month in Cape Town, Financing the Future brought together over 300 leaders from 44 countries
#GlobalClimateStrike South Africa in Pictures
There were a number of events that took place throughout the country inline with the global climate strike / week for climate which saw more
‘The future of finance must be clean’ – historic Cape Town summit closes
‘The future of finance must be clean’ – historic Cape Town summit closes Huge momentum on divesting from fossil fuels as unprecedented faith based commitments
Global Climate Strike: It’s Time To Stand With The Kids
On 20 September, the youth of Cape Town will take to the streets for the third time this year to protest the SA Government’s lack of action
Positive visions: The climate opportunity
Dealing comprehensively with the climate crisis arguably demands cultural, political and social changes that run far deeper than just dropping coal power in favour of
Gwede Mantashe: The Minister for Economic Destruction and Human Under-development?
As our new Minister of Mineral and Energy Resources fights to keep our economy in the dark ages, aided and abetted by a media sector
Climate-Proofing Retirement Funds: first thoughts
We held our first-ever ‘Climate-Proofing Retirement Funds’ events in Cape Town and Johannesburg this week, focused on asset owners, particularly retirement fund boards. We were
Mission-aligned Investment Seminar
You are invited to a Mission-Aligned Investing Seminar for South African leaders in philanthropy, faith, education and city governance. The Seminar will bring together mission-driven
Climate-Proofing South African Retirement Funds (Twin events)
The early effects of global climate breakdown, from the devastating Northern Cape drought to Cyclone Idai, are hitting South Africa. Climate protests, now led by
Global Climate Divest-Invest Summit comes to Cape Town
The Global Climate Divest-Invest Summit is coming to Cape Town in September 2019! Register now: https://financingthefuture.global/ Financing a fossil fuel-free future in which everyone has
#YouthDemandClimateJustice over Youth Day Weekend
Under the banner of the African Climate Alliance, Capetonian school children protested on Friday 14th June, ahead of Youth Day, asking adults and leaders to take steps to protect their future from climate and ecological breakdown.
A practical guide: How non-profits (and schools, universities, churches, foundations) can multiply their effectiveness with responsible investment strategies that address climate change
We’ve just published an article on the Daily Maverick explaining how non-profits can multiply their impacts by ensuring that they are not directly or indirectly
World’s biggest sovereign wealth fund ditching $13 bn of fossil fuels, remains invested in planetary death machines
The Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global, which is part of the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund managing $tn in assets, has dropped $13 billion in
Climate change resolution voted down at Standard Bank AGM
By LISA STEYNOriginally published on Business Live on 30 May 2019 Only 38% of shareholders were in favour of the resolution for the bank to
How to influence this week’s vote by Standard Bank shareholders asking for better disclosure of climate-related risk
Even Eskom’s outgoing CEO, Phakamani Hadebe, has observed that “every year, fewer investors are willing to fund fossil fuel”. Apparently, banks haven’t got the memo.
Competition: #Crossoutfossilfuels
We’re so used to fossil fuels, we can’t imagine that a better world awaits us without them. It’s time for action! This May 25, we’re
Use these letters to ask your retirement fund or asset manager to divest from fossil fuels
Challenge your financial services provider by asking them for alternatives! Remember, there’s no need to be defensive about this request. If they have put your money
WATCH: “Investing in the Environment” – an eNCA interview with FFSA co-ordinator David Le Page
Fossil Free South Africa co-ordinator David Le Page, was invited to be interviewed on news channel eNCA to discuss fossil fuel divestment in South Africa.
Divest Fest – 11 May 2019 – A Fossil Free South Africa community update with our guest speaker, environmental scientist Samantha Keen. (A Summary)
A Summary of our May Divest Fest written by Fossil Free SA Volunteer Andrew Park: On Saturday 11 May, Fossil Free South Africa hosted our
The facts that climate change deniers have to deny
To deny that human beings are changing the climate of the Earth in very dangerous ways, you have to disagree with one or more of
How SA’s top asset managers have responded so far to our call for fossil-fuel free funds
As you know, our biggest petition and campaign calls on SA’s top asset managers to give you the option of not investing in planet-killing companies
‘Climate change must be a central pillar of SA’s economic growth’
Climate change and the risks associated with it should be a key part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address. How SA chooses to respond to climate change and its impact on the country will affect economic growth and social development for decades to come, yet climate change remains sidelined by the government and key sectors that are most vulnerable to its effects.
How to find reliable information about climate change
It’s often difficult to know what news sources to trust on climate change, given the vast amount of disinformation out there. So we’ve worked to
September 2018: FFSA’s research links
Our accumulated headline research from September. Bloomberg: New Climate Debate: How to Adapt to the End of the World The Guardian: ‘We’re moving to higher
Our petition campaign ads are in Business Day today – and we’re inviting you to our campaign closing event
Today was a big milestone for us, as we took out ads on p. 1 and p. 3 of Business Day, marking the achievement of over
Spotlight 10 September: Misha Teasdale of Greenpop stands against a reckless consumptive approach to our environment and people
Here’s Misha’s post on Facebook. @mishateasdale , founder & TreeEO of @Greenpop , believes that now, more than ever, we as citizens need to stand
Spotlight 7 September: Rob Armstrong has already divested from Anglo, Sasol, BHP Billiton and Exxaro
You can see Rob’s profile on Facebook here. And read a brief account of his story here. Rob Armstrong knows that burning fossil fuels is
Fossil Free SA past rolling research April 2017–April 2018
These are some of the links and articles we attempt to integrate into our work and communications. Items are dated by when they came to
August research links
Our work involves ongoing research into divestment, investment, climate change, the energy transition (or lack thereof), and related issues. Henceforth, we’ll be publishing these each
Spotlight 22 August: Makoma Lekalakala calls for an end to investments in polluting industries to assure future jobs, food and water
You can view Makoma’s Facebook post here. Makoma Lekalakala is a grassroots activist, director of @Earthlife_JHB and a 2018 Goldman Environmental Prize Recipient. Join her
Spotlight 15 August: Robyn Hugo of CER wants a healthier, more just and prosperous South Africa free of dirty energy.
You’ll find our Facebook post about Robyn here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fossil Free South Africa (@fossilfreesa) Are you ready
Spotlight 13 August: Des D’Sa wants an end to the use of fossil fuels for our present and future
Des D’Sa, his family, and community have long-suffered the direct health impacts of fossil fuel processing and the terrible tactics used by some corporates against
Spotlight 10 August: Ditiro Majapholoa believes fossil fuel interests damage people’s health and oppress community rights
Ditiro Majapholoa’s Facebook post appears here. Ditiro is the chairperson of the Steenbokpan Community Forum, in Lephalale, Limpopo, an area dominated by 14 coal mines.
Robert Armstrong: A South African fossil fuel divestment story
I work in the natural & organic retail industry, where we promote and offer products we believe lead to a healthy lifestyle. Our aim is
Spotlight 25 July: Bishop Geoff Davies is calling for a secure, fossil fuel-free future in SA
To promote our Amandla.mobi petition calling on South African asset managers to support fossil fuel-free funds, we’ve launched a social media campaign on Facebook, Twitter
The Fossil Free SA 2018 ‘Spotlight’ campaign
To promote our Amandla.mobi petition calling on South African asset managers to support fossil fuel-free funds, we’ve launched a social media campaign on Facebook, Twitter
New research on the financial impacts of fossil fuel divestment
Our partners in 350 have shared some recent research on the financial impacts of fossil fuel divestment with us (thesis PDF,thesis summary PPT). This research was
Fossil Free UCT campaign submits testimony on divestment to the UCT Institutional Reconciliation and Transformation Commission
The aims of the UCT Institutional Reconciliation and Transformation Commission (IRTC) include making ‘recommendations on institutional culture, transformation, decolonisation, discrimination, identity, disability and any other
Divest Fest – local climate action
Glen Tyler of 350:– The first Divest Fest in South Africa wasted little time in getting down to climate solutions. A group of 18
Announcing our first-ever Divest Fest (24 February, 9.30am at 75 Harrington St, Cape Town)
Welcome to 2018, and the slightly mad state of play in South Africa right now: Day Zero is rapidly approaching in Cape Town, while cities
Have your say on our energy future
1: Sign our Petition Firstly, if you haven’t yet signed up to our Fossil Free SA petition calling for SA’s top asset managers to create
Divest Fest!
Our team is about to hit Rocking the Daisies, and this is what we’ll be asking festival-goers to do for the divestment cause – here
Two new South African divestment commitments
We’re delighted to announce that another two South African institutions have committed to fossil fuel divestment. Two Catholic organisations, the Archdiocese of Cape Town and
July community update – SA’s first big climate change court case, and Disobedience
We held our second community update for 2017 at 75 Harrington Street on Wednesday 26 July, with around 25 guests attending. (75 Harrington is a
Cape Town to divest!
The City of Cape Town has committed to divesting from fossil fuels! Tucked away in a recent statement about the City’s green bonds, Mayor Patricia
Kevin Coldrey: A personal South African divestment story
I am an economist by training and worked in the industry for almost a decade before making the decision to change career paths. I am
May workshop for investors and fund managers: ‘Fossil fuel divestment: Fad, necessity or opportunity?’
Summary On 10 May 2017, Fossil Free South Africa convened a workshop for financial services professionals in Cape Town on fossil fuel divestment.
#KnysnaFires and #Capestorm should make South Africans think twice about their savings/investments in fossil fuel companies
Cape Town, 8 June:– It’s difficult to directly link individual extreme weather events like the Cape storm and Knysna fires to climate change. But ever-increasing
UCT’s divestment think tank
This is the summary of the UCT divestment think tank held on 15 May 2017 at Hlanganani Junction, UCT. Fossil fuel divestment in itself is
Workshop 10 May 2017: ‘Fossil fuel divestment: fad, opportunity or necessity?’
Our record of this event can be read here: May workshop for investors and fund managers: ‘Fossil fuel divestment: Fad, necessity or opportunity?’ NB: This workshop
Coal, oil and gas investments to be phased out, UCT Convocation votes
2 Mar 2017, Cape Town: On Tuesday 28 February, the Convocation of the University of Cape Town overwhelmingly passed a non-binding motion – read the minutes
‘No jobs on a dead planet’
Why South African unions should stop investing in fossil fuels and lobby for a just, planned transition to a green economy. Briefing compiled by Fossil
Fossil Free SA 2016 annual report
We are happy to present our 2016 annual report (link to PDF), a review of our activities for the past year: Summary 2017 saw the world
Petitions for UCT to divest handed over to Vice Chancellor Dr Max Price
On 21 November, students from the UCT Climate Action Project and Green Campus Initiative met with Vice Chancellor Dr Max Price to hand over in
Latest newsletter: UCT march planned for 11 Oct, and other news
UCT campaign ongoing, divestment march on campus on Tuesday 11 October Our continuing campaign at UCT has moved the university to develop a draft ethical
Divestment featured in earthworks magazine
The campaign for fossil fuel divestment and the work of Fossil Free SA has been covered in an article in earthworks magazine.
UCT and fossil free divestment
On 17 May 2016, the African Climate Development Initiative at the University of Cape Town hosted a seminar on fossil free divestment at the university.
Seminar on UCT and divestment on 17 May
On Tuesday 17 May, at 1.10pm, there will be a seminar on UCT and fossil fuel divestment, in EGS Studio 5, Upper Campus. The event
David Le Page wins the Eco-Warrior category in the 2015/16 Enviropaedia Eco-Logic Awards
So last night I won the Eco-Warrior category of the Enviropaedia 2015/16 Eco-Logic Awards. Many, many thanks to everyone who has supported Fossil Free South
‘This Changes Everything’
Fossil Free South Africa held a successful screening of the documentary This Changes Everything on 26 November in Cape Town. Based on the book by
Submission to Parliament on the South African negotiating position for the UNFCCC COP 21 climate change negotiations in Paris
Parliament held public hearings on climate change on 22/23 September, and Fossil Free South Africa made a submission to the hearings. This is the full
Climate Action Society and UCT Masters students repeat call for divestment
30 July 2015 The Council Ethical Investment Task Team Appointed by Council The University of Cape Town Dear Members, Development of a fossil fuel divestment
Some recent climate and divestment headlines
Norway confirms $900bn sovereign wealth fund’s major coal divestment “Norway’s parliament has formally endorsed the move to sell off coal investments from its $900bn sovereign
August updates
Our core campaign to persuade the University of Cape Town to divest from fossil fuels is continuing. As a result of ongoing lobbying, we expect
2015 ACDI Masters Class letter urging UCT to divest from fossil fuels
CLICK HERE TO ENDORSE (if you are affiliated with UCT) 30 July 2015 The CouncilEthical Investment Task Team Appointed by Council The University of Cape Town
May Boeve of 350.org visiting Cape Town, UCT and Jozi
May Boeve is the new executive director of 350.org, the grass roots global climate movement that three years ago initiated the fast-growing global divestment movement. She
UCT considering divestment, and other news
There’s been an amazing flood of news on the divestment front over the past couple of months – know that you are part of an
How Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has started divestment
Our thanks to friends in WWF Norway for this information: highlights from Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund’s first responsible investment report. Note that while fossil fuels
Fossil Free UCT marks International Divestment Day
Our Divestment Day actions on 13 February went very well. We had about 10 people in action, mostly UCT academics and associates, with some outside support.
Divestment Day is 13 February: join us at UCT
International Divestment Day is this coming Friday. Join us at UCT (details below). See other actions (comprehensive global list), such as Pretoria University (details below), or
Happy new year; please support our Thundafund appeal; also, 300 profs ask Stanford to divest
Best wishes for 2015, everyone. Key campaign news: • Firstly, our Thundafund appeal expires on 31 January – please donate if you can, spread the
Durban and Howick launches
Durban The first Fossil Free South Africa road trip came to an end last week In Durban, where we had the pleasure of local Goldman
Fossil Free SA launches and updates
First, if you haven’t yet donated via our Thundafund appeal, please do so. We value your presence in our network more than your money, but we
Fossil Free South Africa launches in Cape Town
On Wednesday 12 November, we had our first of several launches for the expanded Fossil Free South Africa campaign at the Mountain Club in central Cape
Fossil Free updates
• Our full November launch schedule is now available. Check the list for details of launches in Cape Town (Nov 12), Bloemfontein (, Johannesburg, Pretoria
Fossil Free South Africa – Jo’burg launch 20 November
Johannesburg launch: 20 November 2014 Time: 17h30 for 18h00 Venue: St Francis Anglican Church, 44 Tyrone Avenue, Parkview Keynote speakers: TBC Why: The danger of climate change is accelerating.
Save the date! Our Cape Town launch on 12 November
From our roots at UCT, Fossil Free South Africa is fundraising and scaling up with launches planned across South Africa in November. Our Cape Town
Upcoming video shoot, Glasgow divests(!), and other news
Super important points • We are shooting a video to support fundraising to expand this campaign. If you can spare us a couple of hours of your
Introduction
Climate change is a major threat to human life and wellbeing, especially in Africa – but governments just aren’t acting fast enough. If coal, gas and
UCT Chancellor Graça Machel on climate change
UCT Chancellor Graça Machel’s speech on climate change at the closing ceremony of the UN Climate Summit last week (23 September 2014). Available on video here, starting
Letter to UCT requesting details of investments, mandates, etc
Dr Max Price – Vice-Chancellor CC: Prof Crain Soudien – Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Transformation and Social Responsiveness CC: Prof Enrico Uliana – Director of Finance CC:
Events, screenings and our petition now online
Please sign our petition, now online, calling on UCT to divest from fossil fuels and invest in sustainable energy! Forthcoming events (download poster) 30 September,
Global civil society mobilises around the UN climate summit
There is a global climate summit in New York on 23 September organised by the UN. It’s a one-day event at which leaders will hopefully
Sydney University freezes coal investment, and other updates
• Great news from Australia: Sydney University has frozen investment in coal. • Pitzer College is a private liberal arts college in Los Angeles which
Next working group meeting, and other updates
Following our successful UCT campaign launch, we’ve formed a Fossil Free UCT working group. Contact us if you’d like to join. Our next meeting will
Fossil Free UCT launch a great success
We’ll post more details and information over the next few days, but for the meantime, we’re very happy to report that our launch event for
Updates
• Two days to go before our campaign launch at UCT on 30 July (17h30, Leslie Social Sciences 1A). Samanthan Bailey of 350.org and Mark
Archbishop Desmond Tutu supports call for University of Cape Town to divest from fossil fuels
It is the world’s wealthiest countries and people who have benefited most from the use of fossil fuels, and have contributed most to global warming. It is time we took full responsibility for our past actions. People of conscience need to break their ties with corporations financing the injustice of climate change. I ask UCT to examine urgently the extent of your investments in fossil fuel companies and to make a strong commitment to phasing them out as soon as possible.
Fossil Free UCT campaign launches 30 July
The launch event for the UCT fossil fuel divestment campaign will be on 30 July, from 5.30-7pm, in Leslie Social Sciences 1A. Speakers will include
Divestment discussed at the World Student Environment Network 2014 Global Summit in Stellenbosch
A representative of Go Fossil Free South Africa addressed student delegates from around the world on the subject of fossil fuel divestment during the World
Obama supports fossil fuel divestment
Speaking at length about climate change at a commencement address at the University of California at Irvine, on 14 June, US president Barack Obama made
Go fossil free South Africa – campaign update
We are planning to launch our UCT divestment campaign on campus on 30 July 2014, at 17h30. Details to follow… Stanford University has announced that
VARSITY oped: ‘UCT should divest from fossil fuels now’
Published in the UCT student paper VARSITY on 29 April 2014 What kind of future do you like to imagine for yourself? One of personal
Harvard faculty call for divestment
A powerful statement from faculty at Harvard, calling for divestment (read it in full here): Faculty of Harvard University to the President and Fellows April
Desmond Tutu: ‘We need an apartheid-style boycott to save the planet’
Published in the Guardian, 10 April 2014 Twenty-five years ago people could be excused for not knowing much, or doing much, about climate change. Today
Letter to UCT calling for fossil fuel divestment
Prof Enrico Uliana (Director of Finance, University of Cape Town) CC:Prof Crain Soudien (Deputy Vice Chancellor: Transformation and Social Responsiveness) CC:Prof Mark New (Pro-Vice Chancellor: