2020 – a year that tested us all.
“The darkest hour is just before dawn.”
2020 has tested us in ways we couldn’t predict. From the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic, to unprecedented climate disasters uprooting frontline communities, millions of families are fighting with all they have to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the fossil fuel industry continues to make billions at the expense of our planet. Despite all the challenges, we are still able to end the year on a high note with irreversible momentum on our side going into the new year. We are deeply grateful to all our partners, allies and supporters. The wins we have seen this year is because of incredible efforts of people across our African climate movement. You can share your own highlights from 2020 online using #2020ClimateStories and #AfrikaVuka
Looking Back
At times like these, it’s easy to lose sight of hope. But now more than ever, we need to keep fighting.
Virtual Youth Summit
An online summit to help young activists across South Africa build a just and powerful climate movement, ready to build back better after the coronavirus crisis.
#AfrikaVuka Caravan
A journey across Africa with virtual stops in 6 countries in Africa where you get to meet local communities, artists, organisers, and activists on the frontlines fighting stop some of the continent’s most destructive and ill-thought-out coal, oil and gas projects.
The #JustRecovery Art Challenge
The challenge was an online art competition that asked South Africans to submit their vision of a just recovery to COVID-19.
The ICBC putting out of Lamu
As a result of ongoing efforts by the Save Lamu coalition, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) decided to no longer finance the Lamu Coal Plant. This is a major win not only for local communities in Lamu but also for the climate movement across the world.
The big Afdb news
The African Development Bank (AfDB) backed off from the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project estimated to cost $3.5 billion. They had released a press statement rejecting claims of financial support to this controversial project.
Thabametsi cancellation
The Thabametsi coal-fired power plantthat was to be developed in Lephalale, Limpopo, South Africa has officially been withdrawn by its sponsors; Marubeni and KEPCO. The plant won’t be built.
The No Going Back to Normal report
Our latest report shows that a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to restructure South Africa’s economy to be more sustainable and resilient and to prioritise the needs of ordinary people.
Chibeze Ezekiel, Goldman Prize 2020
In 2020, we saw our very ownChibeze Ezekiel from 350 Ghana Reducing Our Carbon (GROC) win the 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize for his grassroots work in stopping the construction of a 700-megawatt coal power plant and adjoining shipping port to import coal.
#StopEACOP petition delivery
Over 24 000 people signed on to a petition calling on Standard Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to not finance the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline project through Uganda and Tanzania. We made sure StandardBank knew this. We hand-delivered this message to their headquarters in Johannesburg.
Photo Highlights
Looking Ahead
As we hurl towards 2021, a lot of things are uncertain, but there’s one thing we know for sure: decisions made now in response to COVID-19 will shape our lives for years to come.
#GreenNewEskom, South Africa
We will continue to tap into the large discontent with Eskom and call for them and the South African government to implement a rapid and just transition to renewable energy as a solution to our intertwined climate and energy crises.
#StopEACOP, Tanzania & Uganda
We will ramp up the pressure to get StandardBank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to publicly commit to not funding the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline.
No to Oil Exploitation in the Virunga, DRC
Together with our partners in the DRC, we will keep calling on President Felix Tshisekedi to put an end to any oil exploitation project in the Virunga Park.
Public Finance campaign, South Africa
A call on the Minister of Finance to insist that the DBSA and IDC invest in a clean energy future with social and climate justice at the heart of transition away from fossil fuels.
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Sengwa DeCOALonize Campaign, Zimbabwe
Work with our partners to encourage a just transition from coal to renewable energy.
San Pedro, Côte D’Ivoire
A campaign to get the government of Côte D’Ivoire to put an end to the San Pedro coal-fired power plant project and instead invest in renewable energy projects.
Video Highlights
Videos from 350Africa.org mobilisations, actions, events, and from the frontlines of climate change.
Let’s start with some music with Rocky Dawuni
Click on [] in the videos to watch full screen.
Global COP26
#ClimateStrike
#AfrikaVuka Caravan
Goldman Prize 2020
#JustRecovery Art Challenge
What a just recovery means to me
#StopEACOP
Financing In Common – Africa
Divestment announcement
5 Just Recovery Principles
Climate check
No Fossil Fuels IDC
“Although 2020 has been a really difficult year in many ways, I have been deeply touched by the resilience, determination and fighting spirit of our team and our partners. Far from being disheartened, we had to adjust our plans and strategies and to find creative ways to keep fighting for a fossil-free planet. We hope to intensify such work in the year ahead and launch new local, regional and global initiatives aimed at ensuring bold climate action and justice for all.”
Landry Ninteretse, 350Africa.org Managing Director
Headlines and News Coverage
Some of the top headlines from 2020
- Ghanaian Environmentalist Wins the 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize. >>
- During COVID-19 Crisis, Are African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Policy Any Climate-Friendly? >>
- A golden opportunity for SA’s public finance institutions to stop funding fossil fuel projects >>
- The road to a just recovery for South Africa: No going back to normal >>
- It’s time to end the global south’s indebted servitude >>
- Exclusive: Consortium pulls plug on South Africa’s Thabametsi coal plant >>
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