To end climate apartheid, my grandfather Nelson Mandela would want Cop28 to succeed

In the spirit of my revered grandfather, Nelson Mandela, I wish to express my deep concerns about the ongoing crisis of “climate apartheid”. This term, introduced by the United Nations four years ago, serves as a stark reminder that – much like the apartheid my grandfather valiantly fought against – we are now faced with a global struggle where the poorest (often people of colour) in the global south bear the brunt of climate change while contributing the least to its causes.

As we approach the 10th anniversary of Madiba’s passing on 5 December, I am reminded that his battle against apartheid in South Africa was a fight against a system of racial and economic segregation. This struggle has now morphed into a global one, where the divide is between those who suffer the most from climate change and those who benefit from the economic structures causing it. The parallel is painfully clear: in apartheid South Africa, power and wealth were in the hands of a few, and today, the major polluters, primarily in the global north, continue to prosper at the expense of those in the global south.

Cop28, hosted by the UAE, is a crucial moment for global leaders to address these disparities. While scepticism abounds, particularly with the UAE being an oil-producing nation, it is imperative to approach this summit with a balanced perspective. The focus should not only be on the host nation but also on other even bigger contributors to fossil fuel expansion like the United States, Canada, Russia, Iran, China and Brazil.

For instance, the Cop28 presidency has been accused of using ministerial climate talks to broker deals to expand new global fossil fuel projects. But the media stories on this have failed to identify a single new fossil fuel project, or indeed any concrete plans to expand existing ones.

The UAE offered to continue existing LNG supplies to Germany, pursued a bid for a stake in Brazil’s Braskem petrochemical company (a world leader in sustainable chemicals and plastics), and assured Saudi Arabia and Venezuela that “sustainable development” of their natural resources could be consistent with fighting climate change. Yet not a single new fossil fuel expansion project is identified.

While many are legitimately concerned that the UAE is an oil producer, so are 97 other countries in the world, nearly half of whom are developing nations. And 16 of them are in Africa.

It’s also important to highlight that many of these countries view Western demands for a fossil fuel phase-out as hypocritical, considering the wealth accumulated by Western nations through centuries of carbon pollution – and the many billions they continue to invest. Since 2015, European banks have poured $1.3 trillion into the fossil fuel sector, with a staggering $130bn invested just in 2022, even as the EU voices intentions to phase out fossil fuels. The lion’s share of worldwide financing for fossil fuels, however, comes from banks in the United States, Canada, and Japan.

This is why I believe that we must follow Madiba’s footsteps in taking an inclusive approach. We cannot allow mutual scepticism and blame to derail the painstaking negotiations at Cop28. Real progress has been made by the Cop28 presidency in rallying diverse nations – the US, EU countries, Africa and China – around the goal of tripling renewable energy. For the first time, a loss and damage mechanism has been agreed. And the prospect of making trillions of dollars available for climate finance is being pushed at the highest levels. This is unprecedented.

But if we lose momentum now at Cop28 in our righteous anger, it will not be Western nations that suffer. It will overwhelmingly be people of colour in the global south. Millions in Africa are already facing the dire consequences of climate change, with droughts, famines and natural disasters becoming increasingly common. This is why, in the footsteps of Madiba, we must strive for a consensus on climate action.

Cop28 presents what some believe is the last chance to avoid dangerous climate change. It’s an opportunity to focus on renewable energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and unlock climate finance for the most vulnerable. This is essential to combat the unfolding global climate apartheid. Like my grandfather’s struggle, this fight is about giving a voice to the invisible and unheard. If Cop28 fails, it’s not just a missed opportunity – it’s a direct path to further suffering and displacement for millions.

The spirit of Nelson Mandela’s fight against apartheid must now be channelled to combat climate apartheid. This is not just a battle for environmentalists but for every person who believes in justice and equality. We must act now, for the cost of inaction is too great, and the time for change is not tomorrow, but today.

Ndileka Mandela is a writer, social activist, and the head of the Thembekile Mandela Foundation