Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper by the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) examines the gap between the signing of regional trade agreements and their actual implementation in Africa. It highlights the 'crisis of implementation' affecting the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and discusses the potential and challenges of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The authors argue for a shift from top-down agreements to a bottom-up, problem-driven approach centered on regional public goods to ensure sustainable economic integration.

A press statement issued on 15 November 2020 by a coalition of organisations calling for former President Jacob Zuma to appear before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture to provide transparent accountability regarding state capture and the influence of the Gupta family.

An analysis of European electricity generation in October 2020, showing that zero-carbon sources—driven by favorable weather and recovering nuclear output—outpaced fossil fuels as the primary power source.

This report is a readiness proposal submitted by the Republic of Tajikistan to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) serving as the implementing institution. The proposal seeks USD 687,575 over 24 months to strengthen national capacities for monitoring and evaluating climate finance, identify potential Direct Access Entities (DAEs), and increase private sector engagement in climate investments. It builds upon a first readiness grant and aims to align Tajikistan's reporting with the UNFCCC Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) and update the national Country Work Programme for the 2022-2025 period.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), proposes a framework for measuring climate finance flows to small-scale agriculture in developing countries and provides a snapshot of international financial commitments for 2017 and 2018.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative and Inter.B analyzes infrastructure planning in Brazil, specifically within the land transport sector. It argues that current processes fail to integrate socio-environmental factors and recommends the introduction of a 'pre-viability' phase to improve project selection and prioritization, alongside a planning strategy that prioritizes sustainable development and the protection of the Amazon.

This research paper utilizes the FEEDME (Food Estimation and Export for Diet and Malnutrition Evaluation) modelling framework to analyze the projected impacts of climate variability, population growth, and land use change on global food security up to the year 2050.

This report examines the intersection of geopolitics and food security, arguing that achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) requires an understanding of how geopolitical challenges—including unilateralism and zero-sum security approaches—hinder efforts to eradicate hunger.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines three strategic steps for the Biden administration to re-establish the United States as a global leader in climate action following the 2020 presidential election. It emphasizes the need for a robust national climate commitment, increased financial support for developing nations, and the integration of climate change into core foreign policy to rebuild international trust and align with global trends toward net-zero emissions.

The Climate Policy Initiative calls on development banks and financial institutions to utilize COVID-19 recovery finance to shift global economic trajectories toward sustainability and social justice, rather than returning to business-as-usual models that lock in unsustainable activities.

This issue brief by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the economic and workforce challenges facing coal-dependent communities in the United States as they transition to a clean energy economy. It analyzes the drivers of coal's decline, evaluates proposed federal strategies for a 'just transition,' and highlights regional opportunities for economic diversification in sectors such as renewable energy, environmental remediation, broadband deployment, and entrepreneurship.

This report by Ember analyzes the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of EU countries to assess the trajectory of the EU power sector toward 2030. It finds that while renewable energy is expected to grow, the EU is not on track to meet the European Commission's recommended 55% emissions reduction target due to slow fossil fuel phase-outs and insufficient wind and solar deployment, particularly in seven specific member states.

Japan is ranked second among G20 OECD member countries for its low level of support for fossil fuel use and overall progress, yet it remains the second-highest supplier of public finance for domestic and overseas fossil fuel projects within that group.

Earthjustice issued a statement following the election of Joe Biden, outlining specific environmental and climate demands for the new administration and emphasizing the need for justice and equity for BIPOC communities.

This WRI commentary by Dan Lashof outlines 10 high-impact priority actions for the Biden administration to address the climate crisis, emphasizing a whole-of-government response that integrates economic recovery, racial justice, and aggressive emissions reductions.

Friends of the Earth International issued a statement condemning the assassination of Mama Fikile Ntshangase, an environmental activist in South Africa who opposed the expansion of the Tendele coal mine.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative proposes the Sustainable Village Development Index (IDM+) to integrate environmental sustainability into Indonesia's village-level governance. The authors argue that existing evaluation tools fail to measure ecological performance, leaving villages without clear metrics or fiscal incentives to implement sustainable land use and climate actions. The paper suggests using IDM+ as a basis for Ecological Fiscal Transfers (EFT) to reward high-performing villages and support those with low performance, using a case study in Berau Regency to demonstrate the mechanism's potential.

This policy brief argues that corruption in public procurement is a significant barrier to South Africa's recovery from crisis, citing Covid-19 procurement scandals as evidence. It proposes a reform mechanism designed to encourage whistleblowing and facilitate the recovery of civil damages resulting from fraudulent transactions against the state.

OffgridSun, an Italian company, provides 'Energy Station' plug-and-play solar home systems to rural farmers in Eastern Rwanda. This initiative supports Rwanda's goal to increase off-grid electricity access from 14% to 48% by 2024 through private sector partnerships and localized products.

Earthjustice issued a statement supporting legal efforts and peaceful protests to ensure a full and fair count of the 2020 election votes, arguing that the health of democracy and the rule of law are essential for the organization's ability to protect the environment and climate.