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This policy brief describes a project commissioned by the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) between January and March 2022 to develop theories of change (ToCs) for three community-based organisations (CBOs) focused on violence prevention in rural South Africa. The document examines how ToCs can link theory to practice, support impact tracking, and align community-led interventions with established violence prevention literature.

This report examines the critical role of sustainable cooling and electricity in health services, focusing on vaccine cold chains, the management of temperature-sensitive medical products, and the need for temperature regulation in hospitals and clinics to improve patient care and resilience against heat stress.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the role of women environmental defenders in Nepal and the Philippines during the Covid-19 pandemic. It argues that these actors are critical for transformative disaster risk reduction (DRR) because they address the root causes of vulnerability and provide essential resources to marginalized groups who are often overlooked by official disaster responses.

This research paper presents preliminary findings from a social impact assessment in Umeå, Sweden, examining how stakeholders perceive the transition to a circular economy (CE). The authors argue that current circular city strategies are overly technocentric and neglect social dimensions, recommending a broader approach that considers job quality, accessibility, and personal and property rights to ensure a socially inclusive transition.

This case study, produced by WWF South Africa in collaboration with Trace & Save, examines irrigation efficiency on six pasture-based dairy farms in the Southern Cape of South Africa. By analyzing 15 centre pivot irrigation systems between March and December 2021, the study identifies significant water wastage and explores the relationships between irrigation system variables, soil health, and water-use efficiency. It advocates for the use of water meters and scientific scheduling to reduce costs and environmental impact.

This report by WWF South Africa examines the role of the informal waste sector in African cities, advocating for an "inclusive circular economy" that integrates reclaimers into formal waste management systems. It analyzes the operational status, socio-economic challenges, and policy landscapes of reclaimers in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda, arguing that their inclusion is essential for sustainable urban waste management and poverty alleviation.

This case study examines Spain's efforts to manage the decline of its coal industry through the 2019 Just Transition Strategy and the 2018 Plan Del Carbón. It details the shift from reactive social protections to a structured, participatory framework designed to diversify the economies of coal-dependent regions while meeting EU climate mandates.

CrossBoundary Energy is implementing a hybrid-renewable energy grid for a mine in Fort Dauphin, Madagascar, to replace unreliable heavy fuel oil (HFO) power. The project includes 8 MW of solar PV, 12 MW of wind turbines, and an 8 MW battery storage system (BESS), financed by EUR 24,152,505 in equity.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development argues that the Canadian federal government should adopt a whole-of-government approach to climate change to improve performance through cross-departmental collaboration and integrated policy-making.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the environmental, socioeconomic, and governance (ESG) impacts of Chinese ICT infrastructure projects in Tanzania and Cambodia. It concludes that while environmental impacts were minimal, socioeconomic outcomes were mixed and projects suffered from a lack of transparency.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development discusses the necessity of watershed-scale governance for mine water management to balance industrial needs with human rights and environmental sustainability, highlighting examples from Mongolia and Chile.

This case study examines mine waste governance and leadership in Ghana and the Province of British Columbia, Canada, highlighting how different economic sizes and mining histories can both implement best practices to mitigate environmental and social risks.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International detailing its international solidarity efforts between 2020 and 2021 to support environmental and human rights defenders facing authoritarianism and corporate exploitation.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs compares the implementation of environmental, socioeconomic, and governance (ESG) standards in two Chinese-funded hydropower projects: the Bui Dam in Ghana and the Stung Tatay project in Cambodia. It examines China's domestic regulatory framework for hydropower and analyzes how local government capacity and transparency in the recipient countries influenced the success of ESG mitigation efforts.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) provides guidance and lessons for Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states on enhancing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It emphasizes the need for inclusive stakeholder engagement, alignment with long-term development goals, and the use of quantifiable targets and evidence-based analysis to increase climate ambition and ensure effective implementation.

This case study describes the 'Closing the Loop on Textile Waste in Kenya' partnership, a multistakeholder initiative that uses chemical recycling technology to transform post-production textile waste into high-quality raw materials for new clothing. The project aims to address the environmental impact of Kenya's growing garment industry while providing employment for local women.

This report examines the adoption of new mining technologies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and their impact on local procurement. While large-scale mining projects like Kibali and Kamoa-Kakula utilize advanced automation and green technologies, local suppliers struggle to capture high-value contracts due to gaps in capital, skills, and infrastructure. The report analyzes the 2018 Mining Code's efforts to mandate local content and identifies systemic barriers—including a weak manufacturing sector and outdated intellectual property laws—that hinder the transfer of technology to Congolese enterprises.

This report examines the adoption of new mining technologies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and their impact on local procurement. While large-scale industrial mines like Kibali and Kamoa-Kakula utilize advanced automation and green energy, local suppliers struggle to access high-value contracts due to gaps in capital, specialized skills, and a weak manufacturing base. The document analyzes the effectiveness of the 2018 Mining Code and the 2017 Subcontracting Law in promoting local content, concluding that a more supportive regulatory and economic environment is necessary to translate technological advancement into sustainable local economic growth.

This case study details a legal challenge brought by Greenpeace Spain, Oxfam Intermón, and Ecologistas en Acción against the Government of Spain, alleging that the state's climate actions and its National Energy and Climate Plan were inadequate and violated EU regulations and the Paris Agreement.

This report analyzes the role of Brazil's Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) in the prior oversight of federal railway and highway concessions under the Investment Partnership Program (PPI). It examines how the TCU manages socio-environmental risks and the impact of its timing in the project life cycle, specifically regarding the approval of Technical, Economical and Environmental Feasibility Studies (EVTEA).