11 Climate Justice Initiatives to follow in South Africa
By Ruth Bisieri
South Africa is home to a vibrant and diverse array of climate justice initiative groups dedicated to addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. These organizations work tirelessly to promote sustainable development, advocate for policy changes, and empower communities to take action. The following list highlights ten notable climate justice initiative groups in South Africa, each contributing uniquely to the fight for a greener and more equitable future:
1. The African Climate Alliance (ACA)
Founded in 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa, the African Climate Alliance (ACA) began as a collective of school-going youth and adult supporters who organized a protest in line with the first-ever global climate strike. The organization formalized in 2020 to build a youth-led climate movement across Africa focused on Afrocentric climate justice. They aim to create safe spaces for young people to develop their climate justice knowledge and capacity.
Here are some key aspects of their work:
Advocacy and Action: ACA amplifies youth voices in policy, media, and decision-making spaces, advocating for systemic change to address climate and social issues.
Education and Capacity Building: They offer workshops, dialogues, and resources to educate and empower young climate activists.
Collaboration: ACA collaborates with civil society, schools, and communities to promote climate justice.
Youth-Led Initiatives: They support youth-led campaigns and actions, including the first youth-led climate change court case in South Africa.
Their approach is guided by Africans and indigenous knowledge, ensuring that solutions are relevant and effective for the most impacted communities in Africa.
Website: African Climate Alliance
2. The South African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI)
Founded in July 2005, The Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI) is a multi-faith environmental justice organization. The founders aimed to support faith leaders and their communities in Southern Africa to increase awareness, understanding, and action on eco-justice, sustainable living, and climate change. This initiative was driven by the belief that faith communities have a significant role to play in promoting the environment.
Here are some of their key activities:
Energy and Climate Justice: SAFCEI works towards a just energy transition, advocating for accessible, affordable, and sustainable energy for all.
Food and Climate Justice: They promote nature-based farming and advocate against factory farming and GMOs, empowering faith communities to adopt sustainable consumption practices.
Animal Justice: SAFCEI campaigns for the humane treatment of animals, with initiatives like the Cage-Free SA campaign to end the use of battery cages for egg-laying hens.
Faith Leader Environmental Advocacy Training (FLEAT): This program empowers faith leaders across Southern and East Africa to advocate for environmental justice in their communities.
SAFCEI collaborates with various faith communities to raise environmental awareness, promote eco-justice, and support sustainable living.
Website: https://safcei.org/
3. The African Climate Foundation
The Africa Climate Foundation (ACF) was established in Cape Town, South Africa in 2020. It is the first African-led strategic re-granter working at the intersection of climate change and development. Over the years, it has expanded and it now operates across multiple regions Southern, East, West, and Central Africa.
Here are some of the key activities and goals of the ACF:
Grant Making: ACF provides grants to support climate action and development projects across Africa.
Research and Technical Assistance: They conduct research and offer technical assistance to inform and support climate initiatives.
Coalition Building: ACF works to build coalitions and partnerships among various stakeholders to drive climate action.
Advocacy: They engage in targeted advocacy to influence policy and promote sustainable development.
Multi-Stakeholder Convenings: ACF organizes events and forums to bring together different actors to discuss and advance climate solutions.
Their mission is to unlock and support development opportunities in climate action across Africa, ensuring that interventions are context-specific and guided by a thorough understanding of the political and economic landscape.
4. Black Girls Rising
Founded in 2018, Black Girls Rising is a Black women-led organization focused on empowering young Black girls from marginalized communities. Here are some of their key initiatives:
Leadership Development: They focus on holistic leadership development, helping young Black girls become change-makers in their communities.
Talent Search Initiatives: Black Girls Rising identifies and nurtures talent among young Black girls, providing them with opportunities to grow and succeed.
Climate Justice Advocacy: The organization advocates for climate justice, ensuring that the voices of young Black girls are amplified in discussions about climate change and environmental equity.
Gender Equity: They work towards advancing gender equity by creating spaces and platforms for young Black girls to express themselves and advocate for their rights.
Some of their key Climate Advocacy Initiatives include:
Leadership Development: They focus on holistic leadership development, helping young Black girls become change-makers in their communities.
Talent Search Initiatives: Black Girls Rising identifies and nurtures talent among young Black girls, providing them opportunities to grow and succeed.
Climate Justice Advocacy: The organization advocates for climate justice, ensuring that the voices of young Black girls are amplified in discussions about climate change and environmental equity.
Gender Equity: They work towards advancing gender equity by creating spaces and platforms for young Black girls to express themselves and advocate for their rights.
Their mission is to change the narrative and create equitable opportunities for young Black girls, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to thrive.
Website: Climate Change The No.1 problem for South Africa?- About Us (blackgirlsrising.org.za)
5. South African Youth Climate Change Coalition
Founded in 2020, the South African Youth Climate Change Coalition (SAYCCC) is a youth-led network of environmentalists and climate justice activists.
Here are some key aspects of their work:
Advocacy and Campaigns: SAYCCC engages in climate justice advocacy through campaigns, bridge-building, and think-tank approaches to influence policy and promote sustainable development.
Litigation: They support climate litigation efforts, taking climate change issues to the world’s highest courts to hold polluters accountable.
Sustainability Initiatives: SAYCCC promotes decisions that enhance long-term success while maintaining short-term financial stability, ensuring sustainable practices are adopted.
Youth Empowerment: They focus on developing the leadership skills of young environmentalists through programs like the Youth Climate Champions Bootcamp, which includes training, internships, and collaborative projects.
SAYCCC aims to advance and protect the rights, participation, and engagement of vulnerable people in the climate justice agenda, ensuring that youth voices are central to climate action.
Website: SAYCCC – South African Youth Climate Change Coalition
Facebook page: South African Youth Climate Change Coalition | Durban | Facebook
6. The Green Connection Africa
The Green Connection was established in 2000 with a mission to promote sustainable development by empowering communities to participate in environmental decision-making. In 2021, the organization was restructured into a Non-Profit Company (NPC) with a board of directors, retaining its section 18A tax benefit status. The organization is comprised of 66% women and 83% Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDI) and prides itself on its relevance to democratic South Africa.
The organization focuses on various areas, including climate change, renewable energy, community development, and environmental sustainability. They work closely with both government and civil society sectors to foster understanding and awareness about sustainable development.
The Green Connection Africa has actively participated in several impactful climate change initiatives. Here are some key highlights:
Community-Based Climate Adaptation: They work closely with local communities to develop and implement climate adaptation strategies. This includes training on sustainable agricultural practices, water conservation techniques, and disaster risk reduction.
Renewable Energy Projects: The organization promotes the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. They have initiated projects to install solar panels in rural areas, providing clean and sustainable energy to communities.
Environmental Education and Advocacy: The Green Connection conducts educational programs to raise awareness about climate change and its impacts. They also advocate for stronger environmental policies and regulations at both local and national levels.
Ecosystem Restoration: They are involved in reforestation and afforestation projects to restore degraded lands and enhance biodiversity. These efforts help sequester carbon and improve the resilience of ecosystems to climate change.
Climate Justice Initiatives: The organization champions climate justice by ensuring that vulnerable and marginalized communities have a voice in climate-related decision-making processes. It also works to address the social and economic inequalities exacerbated by climate change.
These initiatives help mitigate the effects of climate change and empower communities to build resilience and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Website: https://thegreenconnection.org.za/
7. African Centre for a Green Economy (AfriCGE)
The African Centre for a Green Economy (AfriCGE) is a think tank and social innovation hub dedicated to promoting a green economy in Africa. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Mao Amis, Tracey Gilmore, and Dr. Sepo Hachigonta, AfriCGE focuses on research, advisory services, and capacity building to support sustainable development across the continent.
AfriCGE’s mission is to provide thought leadership, raise awareness, and build capacity to facilitate the transition towards a green economy. They work on various initiatives, including climate finance, green enterprise development, data intelligence, landscape resilience, food systems, and energy access.
The organization collaborates with governments, businesses, and civil society to create inclusive economies that promote human well-being and environmental sustainability. Since its inception, AfriCGE has been instrumental in driving policy changes and supporting green startups across Africa.
The African Centre for a Green Economy (AfriCGE) is actively involved in climate finance to support sustainable development across Africa. Their work in this area focuses on several key initiatives:
Climate Finance Mobilization: AfriCGE works to unlock and mobilize finance for climate-related projects. This includes advocating for increased investment in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and other green sectors.
Capacity Building: They provide training and support to local communities, businesses, and governments to enhance their ability to access and manage climate finance. This helps ensure that funds are used effectively and efficiently.
Policy Advocacy: AfriCGE engages with policymakers to create an enabling environment for climate finance. This includes advocating for policies that promote green investments and reduce barriers to accessing climate funds.
Innovative Financial Instruments: The organization explores and promotes the use of innovative financial instruments such as green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and carbon markets to attract more funding for climate projects.
Research and Data Intelligence: AfriCGE researches to provide insights into the landscape of climate finance in Africa. This helps identify gaps and opportunities, guiding stakeholders in making informed decisions.
Their efforts aim to bridge the significant climate finance gap in Africa, ensuring that the continent can effectively address the impacts of climate change and transition towards a sustainable, green economy.
Website: https://africancentre.org/
8. Regreening Africa
Regreening Africa is an ambitious initiative aimed at reversing land degradation and improving the resilience of ecosystems and communities across sub-Saharan Africa. Launched in 2017 and funded by the European Union, the program targets the restoration of one million hectares of land and aims to benefit 500,000 households in eight countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, and Somalia.
The initiative focuses on integrating trees into croplands, communal lands, and pastoral areas through practices like Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), tree planting, and agroforestry. These methods help improve soil fertility, increase agricultural productivity, and enhance biodiversity.
Regreening Africa builds on earlier successes in countries like Niger, where re-greening efforts have significantly improved food security and curbed desertification. The program emphasizes a bottom-up approach, involving local communities in restoration to ensure sustainability and address specific local needs.
Regreening Africa encompasses various initiatives to restore degraded landscapes and improve livelihoods. Here are some key initiatives:
Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR): This low-cost, sustainable land restoration technique involves farmers managing the regrowth of trees and shrubs from stumps, roots, and seeds already present in the soil. FMNR helps improve soil fertility, increase crop yields, and enhance biodiversity.
Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, agroforestry practices provide multiple benefits, including improved soil health, increased water retention, and diversified income sources for farmers through products like fruits, nuts, and timber.
Tree-planting campaigns: Large-scale tree-planting efforts are conducted to restore degraded lands, combat desertification, and sequester carbon. These campaigns often involve local communities, schools, and other stakeholders to ensure broad participation and ownership.
Capacity Building and Training: Regreening Africa invests in training farmers, community leaders, and extension workers on sustainable land management practices. This includes workshops, field demonstrations, and the development of training materials to support knowledge transfer.
Policy Advocacy: The initiative works with governments and policymakers to create an enabling environment for land restoration. This includes advocating for policies that support sustainable land management, secure land tenure, and provide incentives for restoration activities.
Monitoring and Evaluation: To track progress and ensure the effectiveness of restoration efforts, Regreening Africa employs robust monitoring and evaluation systems. This includes using satellite imagery, field surveys, and community feedback to assess the impact of interventions.
These initiatives collectively aim to restore ecosystems, improve agricultural productivity, and enhance the resilience of communities to climate change.
Website: https://regreeningafrica.org/
9. Adaptation Research Alliance
The Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) is a global coalition dedicated to addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change, particularly for vulnerable communities. The alliance brings together researchers, funders, policymakers, development bodies, and community-based organizations to promote action-oriented research that supports climate-resilient futures.
History: The ARA was officially launched at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in November 2021. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, the alliance aims to accelerate and scale investments in research that informs effective adaptation solutions. The ARA emphasizes research that is user-driven, co-produced with local experts, and equitable in practice.
Great! Here are some of the key projects and initiatives of the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA):
Community-Based Adaptation: ARA supports projects that involve local communities in the design and implementation of adaptation strategies. This ensures that solutions are tailored to the specific needs and contexts of the communities most affected by climate change.
Climate-Resilient Agriculture: The alliance funds research on innovative agricultural practices that help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions. This includes developing drought-resistant crops, improving water management techniques, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Urban Resilience: ARA works on projects aimed at enhancing the resilience of urban areas to climate impacts. This includes research on infrastructure improvements, disaster risk reduction, and the development of early warning systems for extreme weather events.
Ecosystem-Based Adaptation: The alliance promotes the use of natural systems to help communities adapt to climate change. This includes restoring mangroves, wetlands, and forests to protect against flooding, erosion, and other climate-related hazards.
Policy and Governance: ARA engages with policymakers to integrate research findings into national and international adaptation strategies. This helps ensure that adaptation policies are informed by the latest scientific evidence and best practices.
Capacity Building: The alliance invests in building the capacity of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to address climate adaptation challenges. This includes training programs, workshops, and the development of educational materials.
These initiatives aim to create a more resilient future by fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among diverse stakeholders.
Website: https://www.adaptationresearchalliance.org/about-us/
10. The African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI)
The African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) is a leading research institute based at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Established in 2011 by the Vice Chancellor of UCT, ACDI was created to significantly expand climate change research and education, specifically addressing the development challenges of Africa from an African perspective.
History:
2011: ACDI was founded as a strategic initiative to facilitate and extend climate change research and education at UCT.
2018: ACDI achieved formal status as a university institute. In the same year, it was designated as a Centre of Excellence for Climate and Development by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), in collaboration with the Universities of Nairobi and Ghana.
ACDI aims to increase scientific knowledge and understanding to improve human development outcomes in the face of climate change. It focuses on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, teaching, and learning, addressing complex climate and development issues across Africa and beyond.
Here are some of the key projects and initiatives of the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI):
Climate Risk and Vulnerability: ACDI researches to understand the risks and vulnerabilities associated with climate change in Africa. This includes studying the impacts on agriculture, water resources, health, and infrastructure, and developing strategies to mitigate these risks.
Sustainable Development: The initiative focuses on integrating climate change adaptation and mitigation into sustainable development planning. This involves working with governments, NGOs, and communities to create policies and practices that promote resilience and sustainability.
Education and Capacity Building: ACDI offers various educational programs, including postgraduate degrees, short courses, and workshops, to build the capacity of future leaders in climate and development. These programs aim to equip students and professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to address climate challenges.
Interdisciplinary Research: ACDI promotes interdisciplinary research that combines natural and social sciences to address complex climate and development issues. This approach helps to generate comprehensive solutions that consider both environmental and socio-economic factors.
Community Engagement: The initiative works closely with local communities to co-produce knowledge and solutions that are relevant and effective. This includes participatory research methods and community-based adaptation projects.
Policy Influence: ACDI engages with policymakers at local, national, and international levels to ensure that research findings inform climate and development policies. This helps to create an enabling environment for effective climate action.
These initiatives aim to enhance the resilience of African communities to climate change while promoting sustainable development.
Website: https://acdi.uct.ac.za/about
11. Protect the West Coast
Protect the West Coast (PTWC) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2020 by a group of concerned citizens. The organization aims to combat illegal and destructive mining activities along South Africa’s West Coast. PTWC envisions a future where degraded mining areas are transformed into vibrant, sustainable landscapes that benefit both nature and local communities.
History:
2020: PTWC was founded to address the rampant mining activities threatening the ecological and cultural heritage of the West Coast.
Ongoing Efforts: The organization engages in legal actions, community awareness campaigns, and partnerships with other NGOs to protect this unique coastal region.
PTWC’s initiatives include the “Run West” campaign, which raises awareness about mining impacts through community engagement and events. They also produce documentaries like “Ours, Not Mine” to highlight the environmental and social consequences of mining.
Protect the West Coast (PTWC) undertakes several key initiatives to combat illegal and destructive mining activities along South Africa’s West Coast. Here are some of their main efforts:
Legal Action: PTWC uses legal avenues to challenge unlawful mining activities. They work to hold companies and government entities accountable for environmental violations and ensure compliance with existing laws and regulations.
Community Engagement: The organization actively involves local communities in their efforts. This includes raising awareness about the impacts of mining and empowering communities to take action against destructive practices.
Run West Campaign: This initiative aims to raise awareness about the environmental and social impacts of mining through community engagement and events. Participants run along the coast, meeting with residents who have been fighting to protect the area.
Documentary Production: PTWC produces documentaries like “Ours, Not Mine” to highlight the consequences of heavy mineral sand mining. These films aim to educate the public and garner support for their cause.
Monitoring and Reporting: The organization monitors mining activities along the West Coast and reports on their findings. This includes documenting environmental damage and advocating for better oversight and enforcement.
Policy Advocacy: PTWC engages with policymakers to promote sustainable development and environmental protection. They advocate for policies that balance economic development with the preservation of natural and cultural heritage.
These initiatives are designed to protect the unique biodiversity and cultural heritage of the West Coast while promoting sustainable and responsible development.
Website: https://protectthewestcoast.org/our-story/
Conclusion
In conclusion, the climate justice initiatives led by South African and African people are not only pivotal in addressing the immediate impacts of climate change but also in fostering long-term sustainable development and environmental conservation.
These initiatives, driven by grassroots movements, youth activism, and community engagement, highlight the resilience and innovation of African communities in the face of environmental challenges. By supporting and following these efforts, we can contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by climate change are heard and their solutions implemented.
Together, we can make a significant impact on the global fight for climate justice.
