Ecological Justice

This article examines how the G20’s forthcoming critical minerals framework could transform — or entrench — Africa’s role in the global green transition. Drawing on the African Green Minerals Strategy, it argues for a new paradigm of responsible mining, equitable value chains, and climate justice to ensure the continent’s vast mineral wealth drives sustainable, inclusive development

MACUA, a partner organisation of the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF) in Cape Town, has recently launched a new podcast series.

“As farmers, we saw a decrease in our produce, unusual seasons, unusual rainfall and our crops weren’t doing well. We thought it was the end of the world. Earth Life Africa taught us about climate change, how it affects us as farmers, and the changing seasons for planting.”

“You cannot disconnect from the indigenous ways, everything embraces that knowledge. For the VhaVendha people, everything we do is connected with spirituality and our ancestors' ways.“

Africa must find pathways to provide a better life for its people, including access to healthy and sustainably produced food. Published before the start of the African Union’s Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Nairobi, our policy brief (edited by the Heinrich Böll offices in Abuja, Berlin, Capetown and Nairobi) provides recommendations on fossil fuel-based and ‘green’ fertilizer production and use in Africa.

Namibia is planning a series of million-dollar investments to become a major green hydrogen supplier to Europe and Japan as early as 2028. Both the European Union and the Japanese government have supported the venture, in the hopes of getting new imports to meet their climate change goals. In their new landing page, Oxpeckes brings together a series of articles exploring proposed projects, and what they look like from the ground.

As African countries embark on net zero transitions, it is critical that Global North actors align their investments to specific and localised understandings of ‘Just Transitions’

An investigation by Oxpeckers and Climate Home found coal-reliant communities in South Africa have scarce details on how funds for reskilling workers from its $8.5 billion deal will be implemented.

On 20 March, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will present its Synthesis Report to its 6th Assessment Report. Our briefing highlights essential points of the underlying reports that will be crucial to creating a just and sustainable future in climate change.

Kavango communities filed an urgent interdict to appeal the extension of fracking licenses in an ecologically sensitive area – but were left with a hefty bill.

SA’s government is moving at speed to phase-out coal as the country’s leading energy source. But what does this mean for the communities who have for so long relied on this carbon for their livelihoods?

Green hydrogen is being touted as a solution to climate change that could also create jobs and economic prosperity in South Africa. Yet, it also poses risks for the realisation of a just transition.

With the future of biodiversity on the line, UN member states meeting in Montreal this December must set a framework for a new conservation paradigm.

This analysis outlines the main critical areas of the upcoming negotiations and key demands from civil society ahead of the COP27 Opening Plenary.

As South Africa celebrates heritage month in September the coastal community of Sicambeni on the East Coast of South Africa, together with social justice partners celebrated a victory for indigenous people. On 1st September 2022 the Makhanda High Court ruled that Shell’s exploration right to conduct seismic surveys on the Wild Coast of South Africa was granted unlawfully and therefore set it aside. Community and environmental activist Ntsindiso Nongcavu reflects on what the ruling means for those who lives are spiritually and economically connected to the oceans.

Emilia Reyes is an international advocate for women's rights and an expert on gender-responsive public policies and budgets and sustainable development, including comprehensive disaster risk management and climate change. She highlights the necessity of degrowth and the problems of our global neoliberal system.

Tarcila Rivera Zea from the Quechua-Chanka Nation of Peru has been an important indigenous activist and recognized defender of the rights of indigenous girls, women, youth and peoples for more than 40 years. She provides wisdom on how to educate young people to value Mother Earth.

Keya Chatterjee is the Executive Director of US Climate Action Network (USCAN) and author of the book The Zero Footprint Baby: How to Save the Planet While Raising a Healthy Baby. She lays out how to defend democracy and fight the climate crisis.

Hilda Flavia Nakabuye is a climate, gender and environmental rights activist, public speaker, writer and Founder of Fridays For Future - Uganda. She explains how climate justice necessarily means social justice.

Anna Cavazzini has been a member a Member of the European Parliament for The Greens/EFA since 2019. She shares her thoughts on what needs to be done to secure a circular economy and a just transition.