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This research paper examines the complex relationship between democracy and economic growth, specifically focusing on the African context. It distinguishes between 'substantive' (liberal, constitutional) democracy and 'procedural' democracy, arguing that while the former correlates with long-term growth and stability, the latter often fails to improve governance or development in low-income countries.

This report by Ember analyzes the declining role of gas in the global electricity mix as of 2025, noting that gas share has fallen for five consecutive years. The analysis highlights that while global gas generation has not yet peaked in absolute terms, its growth has slowed significantly as renewables increasingly meet new electricity demand, particularly in the G7 and large emerging economies.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies explains the concept of the demographic dividend, focusing on the first dividend where the working-age population grows relative to dependants. It details the metrics used to identify this window of opportunity and compares the timing, peak ratios, and durations of this dividend across various global economies, with a specific focus on Africa and Nigeria.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute provides a comparative analysis of wastewater management in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Sweden. It highlights the significant investment gap in BiH to meet EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) requirements and suggests that BiH can leverage Swedish experiences in inter-municipal cooperation, knowledge sharing, and circular resource recovery to build a more sustainable and resilient system.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the state of large-scale infrastructure in Africa, highlighting a gap between improving development scores and persistent financing deficits. It analyzes the roles of Chinese investment via the Belt and Road Initiative, the impact of pan-African initiatives like PIDA, and the transition toward green, climate-resilient infrastructure.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies compares the size, quality, and productivity of the labour force in Africa against those of China and India, utilizing forecasts through 2043. While Africa possesses a rapidly growing and youthful workforce that may attract labour-intensive industries, it lags significantly behind China and India in education, health, and overall labour productivity.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the gap between the recognition of systemic climate risks—interconnected risks across hazards, sectors, and borders—and their operationalization in adaptation governance. Through a comparative analysis of Europe, Southeast Asia, and the United States, the authors find that while systemic language is increasingly present in high-level strategies, day-to-day decision-making, funding, and mandates remain fragmented and focused on individual hazards or sectors. The report proposes a conceptual framework for systemic adaptation based on systemic risk framing, policy interlinkages, and the management of deep uncertainty.

This report by Ember examines the effectiveness of satellite monitoring in detecting methane emissions from global hard coal mines, noting a significant gap between theoretical detectability and actual observations.

This report analyzes 23 regulatory instruments across 12 countries to evaluate how governments are regulating greenwashing, focusing on policy instruments, scope, stringency, and the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs).

The global electricity sector has transitioned from fossil-fuelled growth to clean growth, with clean power meeting all global demand growth in 2025. This shift is driven largely by the plateauing of fossil generation in China and the rapid scale-up of solar and wind power. Battery storage is now emerging as a critical technology to displace fossil fuels during non-daylight hours, particularly in high-solar regions.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity demand and supply trends in 2025 and over the preceding two decades. It details the growth of low-carbon sources, specifically solar and wind, and the relative decline of fossil fuels, while noting the impact of weather and policy on national energy mixes.

This report provides a detailed analysis of the power sectors of the world's seven largest electricity markets in 2025: China, the United States, the European Union, India, Russia, Japan, and Brazil. These regions collectively represent 72% of global electricity demand. The document examines trends in generation mix, demand growth, carbon intensity, and emissions, highlighting a global shift toward wind and solar, though the pace and drivers vary significantly by region.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines agricultural reforms in China, Brazil, and Egypt to identify potential lessons for improving productivity and food security in Africa.

The research paper 'The New Twin Fossil Shock' analyzes how two major energy crises in the 2020s—the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the 2026 shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz—are accelerating the global transition to an 'electric age.' The authors argue that unlike the oil shocks of the 1970s, current alternatives such as solar, wind, and electric vehicles (EVs) are cost-competitive, scalable, and provide a permanent route out of fossil fuel dependency.

This report section details the growth of wind and solar energy in Türkiye, highlighting record-breaking capacity additions in 2025 and the increasing share of these sources in the national electricity mix compared to regional and European benchmarks.

The Türkiye Electricity Review 2026 by Ember analyzes Türkiye's electricity generation in 2025, highlighting a rapid shift toward wind and solar energy, which reached a record 22% share. Despite this growth, coal remains the primary power source at 34%, with a significant reliance on imports. The report also details the economic impact of drought on hydropower and Türkiye's substantial battery storage project pipeline.

This executive summary, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in April 2026, analyzes the dispute settlement functions within 167 national investment laws. It examines the prevalence of dispute prevention, management, and settlement (PGRD) provisions, highlighting the risks associated with 'prior consent' to arbitration and providing a framework for policymakers to reform national investment laws to minimize legal and financial risks.

This research paper provides a historical and contemporary overview of governance in the Global South, examining how colonial legacies, Cold War geopolitics, and structural adjustment programmes have shaped modern state structures. It analyzes governance performance using World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) and highlights a divergence between political participation and institutional capacity across different regions.

This research paper analyzes the sectoral composition of economies across different income groups, focusing on the role of manufacturing, services, and ICT in economic development. It compares Africa's development trajectory with those of India, China, and the Asian Tigers, highlighting the impact of industrialization and demographic windows on growth.

This chapter of the 'Same same but different' series by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the disparities in mobility and spatial justice in Tallinn and Bangkok, contrasting the experiences of different urban users and the impact of infrastructure and technology on accessibility.