Founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007, The Elders is "an independent group of global leaders working together for peace, justice, human rights, and a sustainable planet."
They work on existential threats to humanity that require a collective response - the climate crisis, pandemics, nuclear weapons, and conflict - a threat in itself and a risk factor for other threats." Explore Nelson Mandela's vision and legacy.
The Elders utilized the southern African concept of 'Ubuntu' - the awareness of our shared humanity. Ubuntu is translated as meaning "I am because we are" or "humanity towards others."
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Humanity has a rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future. We have less than a decade left to hold the global temperature rise to 1.5°C and avoid irreversible effects on the planet. The climate crisis is hitting the most vulnerable hardest, and accelerating the biodiversity crisis: we need to halve emissions by 2030 and restore nature."
The impact The Elders seek regarding the climate crisis is: "The planetary emergency is contained and the most vulnerable protected through revitalized global cooperation." Specifically, they want to see action on the following priorities to solve the climate crisis:
Countries must implement the climate commitments they have made. Lack of political will is the main barrier to making domestic policy changes at the speed and scale needed.
While the UN remains the most important multilateral climate space, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), G7, and G20 must also deliver finance and emissions reductions at scale.
Big emitters must be held to account for policies that align with the 1.5°C limit and the global nature goal, and accelerate just transitions.
Global solidarity mechanisms strengthen the resilience of those most vulnerable.
Public and private finance must be aligned with global climate and nature goals.
Voices of women and youth leaders must be heard and create the political space for more ambitious action.