A comparative analysis of the anti-Apartheid and fossil fuel divestment campaigns

ABSTRACT

Divestment from the fossil fuel industry is campaigned as a means to address carbon-induced anthropogenic climate change, much like the anti-Apartheid divestment movement that was campaigned as a mean to address the country’s human rights violations. However, there is a gap in current literature that objectively compares the similarities and differences between the two campaigns. Discrepancies may arise from an evolving understanding of what constitutes a socially responsible investment or the underlying strategy and intended outcomes of the campaigns themselves. Through a comparative content analysis this paper identifies differences and similarities of both campaigns.

KEYWORDS:

• Fossil fuels
• divestment
• Apartheid
• socially responsible investments
• stranded assets

Notes on contributors

Chelsie Hunt is student in the Sustainability Management Master's Program at the School for Environment, Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo, Canada.

Olaf Weber is professor at the School for Environment, Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo, Canada.

Truzaar Dordi is student in the Sustainability Management Master's Program at the School for Environment, Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo, Canada.