Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper by Irma Labuschagne critically examines the practice of criminal profiling for serial killers, arguing that there is no single personality type for such offenders and that profiling often relies on unsubstantiated hunches rather than scientific certainty.

This document is a summary report of an international conference titled “Towards an African Conflict Prevention Strategy,” held on March 9-10, 2009, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Co-hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale (ISPI), the event aimed to examine conflict prevention initiatives by the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to support the operationalisation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).

This research paper evaluates the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) at the end of its first term (2004–2009), analyzing its prospects for transforming from a consultative body into a full legislative assembly. The author argues that while the PAP Protocol envisions this evolution, the institution currently suffers from significant structural weaknesses, a lack of enforcement power, and a democratic deficit due to the indirect nomination of its members.

This research paper by Paul Hoffman examines the role of accountability in making constitutionalism a reality, specifically within the context of post-liberation African societies. Using South Africa as a primary case study, the author evaluates the effectiveness of constitutional frameworks in limiting government power, maintaining domestic legitimacy, and protecting human rights.

This research paper by Paul Hoffman, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in March 2009, examines the role of accountability in making constitutionalism a reality in Africa. Using South Africa as a primary case study, the author argues that while constitutional structures may exist on paper, the actual practice of democracy is often undermined by power struggles among elites, corruption, and the erosion of independent oversight institutions.

This research paper by Yarik Turianskyi of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes common political governance issues in six African states—Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Algeria, South Africa, and Benin—based on their first National Review Reports (NRR) from the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). The author argues that there is a significant gap between constitutional intentions and practical reality, primarily due to a lack of 'constitutionalism,' which allows the executive branch to dominate the legislative and judicial branches.

This policy briefing from the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the economic relationship between intellectual property rights (IPRs) and development in developing countries. It analyzes the trade-offs between providing incentives for innovators through temporary monopolies and ensuring public access to essential knowledge and medicines. The document reviews the impact of IPRs across various sectors, the role of international agreements like TRIPS, and the debate over whether strong IPR protection stimulates or hinders economic growth and technology transfer in developing nations.

The Bellagio Framework for Adaptation Assessment and Prioritization is a working paper by the World Resources Institute (WRI) that proposes a systematic approach to identifying core national adaptation functions. Developed during a November 2008 workshop in Italy, the framework aims to help countries identify capacity gaps, prioritize investments, and establish progress metrics for climate adaptation.

This report analyzes the sustainability of China's electronics and electrical equipment (EEE) product chains, highlighting the environmental impacts of energy-intensive manufacturing and the challenges posed by informal e-waste recycling.

This 2009 report by CIEL and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung proposes institutional mechanisms to integrate human rights into global climate change policy. It argues that climate change severely threatens rights to life, health, food, and water, particularly for women, children, and indigenous peoples. The report suggests five approaches: utilizing existing UN special procedures, creating a new special procedure on climate change and human rights, maintaining direct Human Rights Council engagement, leveraging human rights treaty bodies, and establishing human rights-focused subsidiary bodies or expert groups within the UNFCCC. It emphasizes the need for increased participation of marginalized communities in climate negotiations and the recognition of a principle that all climate-related activities must respect human rights.

This document is a report on a conference held on February 25, 2009, at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in Pretoria. The event featured presentations by Godfrey Musila and Paula Roque regarding the legal and political implications of the arrest warrant issued for Omar al-Bashir.

This research paper argues that Zimbabwe adopting the South African Rand or joining the Common Monetary Area (CMA) would be economically unviable and politically unacceptable, potentially undermining the credibility of the CMA due to Zimbabwe's foreign reserve crisis.

This document introduces the first phase of the Global Markets Project, a joint initiative between the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) designed to transition Chinese supply chains toward a sustainable business paradigm.

This briefing analyzes the shifting political and military landscape in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the leadership change in the CNDP in January 2009 and the subsequent joint military operation between the DRC and Rwanda against the FDLR.

This report summarizes a seminar hosted by the African Security Analysis Programme (ASAP) of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) on February 13, 2009. The seminar featured Colonel Nzekani Zena, head of the national DDR programme in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (PNDDR), who detailed the challenges, phases, and costs associated with Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR) in the DRC.

This seminar report details an analysis of the 12th Ordinary Summit of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa from 26 January to 3 February 2009. The event featured presentations on the poor implementation of AU decisions, the legal challenges of transforming the AU Commission into an Authority, and the AU's response to International Criminal Court (ICC) indictments regarding Sudan.

Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder outlines the challenges facing the U.S. transportation sector, noting its high contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption. He calls for systemic reform to meet President-elect Obama's climate goals and expresses cautious hope that nominee Ray LaHood, despite a poor overall environmental record, may support visionary transportation policy due to his history of supporting passenger rail and public transit.

This testimony by Rob Bradley of the World Resources Institute (WRI) argues that the United States is well-positioned to resume international leadership on climate change. Bradley asserts that the global landscape has shifted since the Kyoto Protocol, with major developing nations now presenting their own climate plans. He advocates for a new agreement based on the Bali Action Plan, which emphasizes "measurable, reportable and verifiable" (MRV) actions from both developed and developing countries to ensure mutual accountability and trust.

This briefing from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute details the funding needs and impacts of three key state energy programs—the State Energy Program (SEP), Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)—within the context of the proposed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

This report examines China's economic engagement with Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, highlighting a trade structure dominated by Chinese imports of natural resources and exports of manufactured goods, and the increasing role of Chinese state-owned enterprises in the region's extractive sectors.