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This research paper examines the tension between South Africa's developmental goals and its climate change commitments, highlighting the country's heavy reliance on coal for electricity and the challenges of transitioning to a lower-carbon economy while addressing poverty and energy shortages.

This report by Friends of the Earth International evaluates the production of jatropha for biofuels in Mozambique, concluding that the industry is based on false premises regarding the crop's suitability for marginal lands and its impact on food security. The study finds that jatropha often displaces food crops, requires significant water and nutrients, and is highly susceptible to pests, posing risks to both small-scale farmers and the environment.

This report by Friends of the Earth International examines the promotion and cultivation of jatropha for biofuels in Mozambique. It argues that the industry is built on myths regarding the plant's ability to grow on marginal lands and its resistance to pests, and warns that large-scale production threatens national food sovereignty and community land rights.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the crisis facing the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) as it celebrates its centenary. The author analyzes how Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations with the European Union and a shrinking revenue pool have threatened the organization's stability, potentially leading to its downgrade from a customs union to a free trade area. The paper combines general analysis with questionnaire results from policymakers in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola to explore the divergent interests of member states regarding revenue sharing, industrial policy, and regional integration.

This report examines the role of Brazil in enhancing energy security and integration across South America. It argues that while the region possesses vast energy resources, domestic-focused security strategies and a lack of regional regulation have led to high economic costs and underutilized infrastructure. The author proposes the creation of a Multilateral Energy Security Reserve (RMSE) treaty to provide a legal framework for energy imports and dispute settlement, positioning Brazil as the ideal coordinator due to its market size, geography, and leadership in both fossil fuels and renewable energy.

This report analyzes public policy responses to the 2007-2008 food crisis in Latin America, focusing on the shift toward protecting vulnerable populations, the conceptual debate between food security and food sovereignty, and the introduction of new legislative frameworks for government intervention.

This research paper examines the challenges South Africa faces in diversifying its energy sources away from coal to ensure energy security and meet climate change mitigation goals, emphasizing the need for institutional reform and a coordinated government vision.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 50 years after independence, focusing on the challenges of territorial consolidation, resource governance, and the transition of UN peacekeeping operations.

This report examines food security policy responses within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the context of global food price hikes, analyzing the relationship between regional strategies, intraregional trade, and the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).

This policy report analyzes the intersection of climate change and ASEAN-facilitated trade and investment policies within the Mekong subregion, highlighting the tension between economic growth through trade liberalization and the vulnerability of natural resources to climate risks.

This report analyzes the failure of market-based energy reforms in Argentina, which led to a high dependency on non-renewable resources and a depletion of natural assets. It argues that relying solely on private and foreign capital for strategic energy decisions was ineffective and recommends a more active public sector role, price policy reform, and strategic agreements with Brazil and Bolivia to secure energy supply and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This document is an introductory text for a 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) that aims to quantify government support for ethanol and biodiesel within the European Union since 2007.

This synthesis report analyzes the policy responses of countries and regional organizations in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Southern Africa to the 2006–08 global food prices crisis. It assesses these responses in terms of economic sustainability and their impact on trade and regional integration, arguing that short-term emergency measures often conflicted with long-term food security and production goals.

This policy briefing examines how the entry of Chinese investors into Zambia's mining sector, characterized by different operational standards and close ties to the presidency, challenges the effectiveness of the country's regulatory framework, which relies heavily on self-reporting and consensus.

This report examines the tension between trade and investment liberalization and environmental protection within the Mekong subregion of ASEAN, highlighting the inadequacy of current multilateral efforts and the heavy reliance on foreign donors for environmental policy initiatives.

This research paper examines how China can align its commercial policies with a 'sustainable trade strategy' consisting of five core objectives: rebalancing the economy, promoting added value, expanding the services sector, promoting Chinese brands and intellectual property, and supporting a sustainable international trade architecture. The authors analyze China's trade evolution since joining the WTO, the limitations of traditional reciprocity-based trade agreements, and the potential for soft-law initiatives and regional cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) details a scenario-planning exercise conducted in May 2010 to explore the future of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The authors identify key certainties and uncertainties—such as the impact of the global financial crisis and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations—to project four potential futures for the organization, ranging from deeper integration to total collapse.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the state of the multilateral trading system following the 2008–10 global financial crisis. It argues that a multilateral impasse is likely to persist due to a lack of leadership from the US and China, suggesting that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) must shift toward plurilateral agreements to remain relevant. The author highlights the specific challenges for South Africa, which faces a 'negotiating stretch' as it attempts to represent broader African interests while managing its own role as an emerging middle power.

This policy briefing analyzes how the Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force on 1 December 2009, affects the European Union's (EU) relations with Africa. The author argues that while the Treaty streamlines EU internal processes and foreign policy, Africa is likely to command less attention as the EU prioritizes its own internal financial crises, the Western Balkans, and strategic partnerships with other emerging powers. The document suggests that African leaders should diversify their economic and development partnerships beyond the EU to reduce aid and trade dependence.

This report examines the complex relationship between trade policy, climate change, and food security in mainland Southeast Asia, using Cambodia as a case study to highlight the need for holistic, participatory, and long-term policy strategies.