The basic idea underpinning socialism is that relationships between human beings (e.g. the economy) should benefit all of humanity, and not be driven by the accumulation of profit.

With the rise of the environmental movement, most socialists would add the protection and restoration of the environment to the serving of human needs.

These ideas mirror the calls made by many environmental activists for “system change”. These activists understand that the present capitalist system is incapable of producing a fair society and looking after the planet.

It is not possible to produce a precise blueprint for what a socialist society will look like or how it will come about. This would depend on the social forces and political movements that replace capitalism with socialism. This programme is therefore illustrative of what an ecosocialist transformation would require.

It is quite obvious that the obstacles to addressing climate change are not technical. Rapid advances in renewable energy, batteries and electric vehicles show how quickly new technologies can be adopted. The problems are industry’s focus on short term profits and political establishments that are tightly bound to the prevailing economic order.

The fundamental platform for an esocialist transformation is the socialisation or nationalisation of the fossil fuel companies, large corporations and the banking sector. Unlike societies that claim to be socialist, public ownership will be based on democratic decision making at all levels.

Instead of earning profits, the large companies will earn surpluses that will be used to fund investments for socially necessary goods and services. In our grotesquely unequal world, wealthy countries will use part of the profits earned to transfer major funding to poor countries.

This transfer of wealth within and across countries will be the basis for a just transition.

Governments will not be run by politicians and lobbyists who carry out the bidding of big business. Nor will it be run by unaccountable ruling party leaders as in many countries that call themselves socialist. Instead political decisions will be made by genuinely democratic, accountable and removable public representatives.

Many other measures will be needed on issues such as wages, prices, taxes, support for small business.

The Program

Socialize (bring under democratic public ownership) a large enough part of the economy to allow for a rational, democratically determined allocation of goods and resources. This means taking over the largest corporations, as well as the large banks and financial corporations.

Socialize and repurpose medium to large companies responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions.

Socialize all companies and conglomerates across the world employing more than 5 000 workers, controlling assets over $5 billion, or with an annual revenue over $5 billion will be socialized.

Socialize banks and other financial institutions with assets over R100 billion (and close down all non-essential and non-productive financial activities)

Socialize all companies in the following industries with over 1000 employees, total assets over $1 billion or annual revenue over $1 billion:

• Fossil fuel exploration, drilling/mining, refining and distribution

• Mining

• Intensive animal production

• Palm oil

• Soya

• Logging/timber

• Agrochemical

• Public utilities (electricity distribution, gas, water, sewerage, waste disposal etc.)

Socialize land parcels greater than 20 000 hectares or with a value greater than $100 million.

Socialize media and news organizations with revenues of over $500 million (to be run by independent boards with elected experts from civil society and worker representatives)

Progressively socialize all health, education and other social services.

Protect bone fide investments up to $2 million in these companies held by individuals by transferring them into state owned investment companies.

Support small, local, peasant, and indigenous community farming.

Support small businesses with cheap credit.

Embark on a massive program of public works, including the construction and implementation of hugely expanded public transport systems.

Is all this achievable, or is it merely a pie in the sky utopia? What is certain is that the present trajectory of the world’s economy is leading us to disaster. We need drastic change.