University departments, schools, faculties, institutes and student societies: support Expanded public climate leadership from SA universities

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As South African teachers, researchers and students, we recognise the profound threat to all humanity posed by climate change, mostly caused by the emissions of the fossil fuel industry that is still almost universally failing to cut emissions at the speed demanded by science and international agreement.

Acknowledging international precedents, we recognise that the fossil fuel industry seeks affiliations with academic institutions to launder misinformation, gild reputations and mute academic disclosure and criticism of its environmental and human rights impacts, raising significant concerns around academic neutrality and conflicts of interest.

True climate leadership

We call on SA universities to become vocal and visionary climate leaders reaching beyond institutional boundaries to illuminate for all South Africans the full threat of climate change and continued fossil fuel extraction, and the extraordinary opportunities of a real just transition to a climate-just post-carbon society.

Divestment and decarbonisation

We support the principles of:

• fossil fuel divestment,

• reinvestment in sustainable alternatives,

• and the decarbonisation and humanisation of campus infrastructure.

Disassociation and transparency

We will:

• end relationships with fossil fuel companies wherever possible and without threat to academic freedom;

• actively disclose all remaining financial and beneficial ties to such companies;

• ensure that these relationships are in compliance with our research ethics standards,

• and will always note the full emissions and climate impacts of those companies in relevant future research and public communications.

Endorsement of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation treaty

• We endorse this international treaty that centres around three pillars:

  • Just Transition: Fast track the adoption of renewable energy and economic diversification away from fossil fuels so that no worker, community or country is left behind

  • Non-proliferation: Develop the plan that would allow governments to stop building out the problem by ending the expansion of coal, oil and gas production

  • A fair phase-out: An equitable plan for the wind down of existing fossil fuel production, where nations with the capacity and historical responsibility for emissions transition fastest, providing support to others around the world

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