Overview
350.org is an international grassroots movement of climate activists. It aims to end the use of fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy by building a global, grassroots movement. They strengthen, organise and train local climate advocacy organisations to end fossil fuel use and financing around the world.
In the areas where 350Africa operates, the case for halting fossil fuel projects in favour of renewable energy is even more compelling than elsewhere, and civil society has a vital role to play in influencing companies, investors, governments and DFIs. In other areas of the world, rapid shifts to renewable energy require retiring or reshaping existing fossil fuel-related infrastructure, but in most of sub-Saharan Africa, infrastructure is relatively underdeveloped. That presents an opportunity to rapidly increase clean energy infrastructure now for a more energy efficient, healthy and prosperous continent. Still, new coal, oil and gas projects are being developed across the continent to respond to growing energy demands.
We have supported the development of their growing work in Africa in the following areas:
- Financing and divestment – working with development finance institutions to build climate-aligned lending and investment policies in Southern and East Africa
- Transition from fossil fuels – just transition in South Africa and ending development of new coal plants in target countries
- Digital engagement – building on digital resources aimed at NGOs like AfrikaVuka and general broadcasting capacity developed out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Movement and capacity building – building on launch of the Climate Justice Coalition and training programme to build capacity for a range of NGOs.
Since we began our support, 350Africa has stopped the building of two coal plants in Africa and has influenced 11 investors or banks to divest from gas and oil projects that would have terrible environmental consequences.
Take a look at their website to learn more about 350.org’s work: https://350africa.org/