our vision

We envision a prosperous, equitable and sustainable South Africa, where: 

  • Current and future generations of people, without distinction, flourish in peace and health

  • Everyone is supported by a stable climate, clean air and water, and thriving ecosystems

  • Communities are energy independent, and have access to renewable energy, green jobs, and stable energy costs

  • Our leaders govern honestly and support a socially just democracy, without the vested interests of fossil fuels

  • Fossil fuel companies have closed down or evolved into sustainable energy enterprises in a circular economy

Group of protestors gathered in a city street holding anti-fossil fuel signs. A person in a hat and "Fossil Free SA" shirt is speaking to the group.

Photograph by Tam Wilson (Itchy Digital).

our mission

We work to secure human rights and prosperity by challenging the financial and social support of the fossil fuel industry in two key ways: 

  • Encouraging universities, companies, organisations, and public and private investors to divest from fossil fuel and related investments, and to cease activities that support the fossil fuel economy and in other ways worsen climate change and ocean acidification through emissions of greenhouse gases; and

  • Challenging the social and cultural license of the fossil fuel industry, which it maintains through greenwashing, the fossil fuel development paradigm and a conception of economic growth that excludes proper consideration of social and environmental damage.

A tote bag with the message "Rest in our future, Rest from fossil fuels" and images of wind turbines, a cityscape, and a nature scene, promoting renewable energy and fossil fuel awareness.

Photograph by Tam Wilson (Itchy Digital)

Our values

Some of the values that underpin our work include, but are not limited to:

  • Social justice: Our ultimate aim is to help build a society where all people can thrive, free of poverty and inequality, in a healthy and life-giving environment.

  • Sustainability: FFSA prioritises environmental responsibility, social wellbeing, and justice through our collective mindset, behaviours, and practices.

  • Respect and empathy: Our work and behaviour is characterised by mutual respect, empathy, compassion, patience, and recognition of the value in every person.

  • Accountability: We are accountable to one another and accept responsibility for our decisions, actions, and work performance.

  • Transparency: Our work processes, decisions, and outcomes are available for review by our colleagues, supporters, and the public.

  • Collaboration: We create a collaborative work environment by maximising each person's skills and competencies, through teamwork and synergy.

A group of people participating in a protest outdoors, holding signs with messages such as "Justice for the Miners" and "No Body is Illegal." They are gathered near trees and a modern building in the background. A speaker is addressing the crowd using a microphone.

Theory of Change

  • South Africa continues to be an excessively fossil fuel-dependent society, making a significant contribution to global climate breakdown, ecological crisis, and sociopolitical inequality.

    The fossil fuel industry has successfully persuaded most people and policymakers that fossil fuels are still essential to a working economy and to creating new jobs to address our appalling unemployment.

    Few South Africans clearly link climate change to the fossil fuel industry. Few understand the risks climate change poses to our society and their savings.

  • A stable climate and societies, healthy children, clear air and water, a switch to wind and solar energy, green jobs, stable energy costs and energy independence, honest governance, more land for food and forests, sound investments, fewer wars and quieter cities, all of which are threatened by fossil fuels: oil, gas and coal

  • The fossil fuel industry loses unfounded financial and social support, contributing to a just transition to leaner energy alternatives and a more democratic economy that guarantees fundamental human and socio-economic rights consistent with our Bill of Rights

    • A de-funded fossil fuel sector. Citizen investors no longer have to invest in fossil fuels.

    • Universities use their full powers of social leadership to catalyse a just transition towards a just and decarbonised society

    • A clean advertising and business ecosystem free of fossil fuel advertising and greenwashing

    • Media that report objectively on the fossil fuel industry and climate change without conservative business bias

  • It’s quite in-depth – check it out here.