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This research paper outlines strategies for Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to integrate into the global electrical vehicle-related minerals and metals (EVMM) value chain through regional collaboration, policy alignment, and a shift toward circular economy principles in mining waste management.

This report by Ember analyzes methane emissions from Poland's coal mining sector in 2018, highlighting that Poland was responsible for 70% of methane leaks from operational coal mines in Europe. The document quantifies the climate impact of these leaks, identifies the primary corporate emitters, and proposes six solutions to reduce emissions, including legislative action from the European Commission and the inclusion of methane in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme by 2030.

This report by Ember analyzes methane emissions from Polish coal mines in 2018, highlighting that Poland accounted for 70% of methane leaks from active coal mines in Europe. The document argues that these emissions have a more significant climate impact than the CO2 emissions from the Bełchatów Power Plant and identifies specific companies and mines responsible for the majority of these leaks, while proposing six policy solutions to reduce emissions.

This executive summary from the Institute for Security Studies (November 2020) outlines the necessary reforms for Algeria to achieve sustainable development by 2040. It identifies critical failures in governance, economic diversification, and resource management, while providing a set of policy recommendations to improve the business environment, food security, and energy transition.

The briefing 'The New (Ab)Normal' describes the escalating frequency and severity of climate-driven catastrophes, using the 2020 wildfire season in Colorado and the western United States as a primary example. It argues that the world has entered a state of 'continuous escalation of catastrophe' and outlines five critical areas of impact: mass migration, health threats, financial instability, the need for resilient rebuilding, and the necessity of updating the electric grid. The author emphasizes that immediate global action to reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 is required to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The Sub-Saharan Africa Stimulus Strategy proposes using post-pandemic recovery packages to transition sub-Saharan African countries toward carbon-neutral economies, thereby increasing resilience to external shocks and reducing dependence on fuel imports.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the current state, structure, and growth potential of the green bonds market in Africa, highlighting its current underdevelopment and the role of multilateral development institutions.

This policy brief argues for increased investment in resilience in Malawi to mitigate the rising economic costs of extreme weather events. It introduces the 'triple dividend' of resilience—avoided losses, unlocked development potential, and co-benefits—and provides evidence from various sectors and regions showing that such investments are highly cost-effective compared to humanitarian aid.

This whitepaper by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) argues that current environmental assessments for transportation infrastructure in the Amazon fail to account for indirect effects, leading to an underestimation of ecological footprints. The authors propose a 'market access' approach using geoprocessing and statistical analysis to better quantify how reduced transport costs drive deforestation and agricultural expansion far beyond the immediate project site.

This policy brief examines the implications of large-scale electric vehicle (EV) adoption for the mining sectors of Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states. It argues that while the region possesses vast reserves of EV-related minerals and metals (EVMM), it primarily exports raw materials. The author advocates for regional cooperation, the establishment of a public-private EVMM working group and coalition, and the adoption of a circular economy approach to ensure a just mining transition and the development of local value chains.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of green financing and blended finance in scaling renewable energy across Africa, using Kenya as a primary case study to illustrate how public and private capital can be combined to meet rising energy demands and climate commitments.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that integrating renewable energy—specifically solar mini-grids—with agricultural finance and cooperative reform can unlock a 'green revolution' in Africa. Using Uganda as a case study, the document highlights how low productivity and a lack of post-harvest processing limit economic growth and food security, proposing a trifecta of energy access, financial incentives, and micro-enterprise training to empower smallholder farmers.

This policy brief argues for a strategic AU-EU partnership to facilitate sustainable energy transitions, emphasizing that such cooperation can provide Africa with increased energy access and jobs while helping the EU meet its carbon neutrality goals. It highlights the need for diplomatic sensitivity, tailored incentives, and a focus on 'just transitions' to ensure that fossil-fuel-dependent African nations are not unfairly penalized by European climate standards.

An analysis of the European Investment Bank's (EIB) transport investment portfolio since 2015, proposing alignment criteria and strategic priorities to ensure all finance flows support the Paris Agreement's temperature goals.

This report by RMI argues that decarbonizing energy-intensive industrial sectors is essential to achieving a 1.5°C climate target and avoiding severe global economic disruption. It asserts that 'business as usual' is an invalid business strategy, as the transition will require not only technological shifts but also a reduction in the demand for materials like steel, cement, and plastic.

This briefing argues that increasing stimulus funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) can address systemic racial and income inequities in the United States by improving energy affordability, creating domestic jobs, and enhancing public health for low-income households.

This policy brief by RMI examines the 'undergrid minigrid' model piloted in Mokoloki, Nigeria, and discusses its potential application to improve electricity reliability for underserved rural communities in India. The model involves a privately owned solar minigrid sharing existing distribution infrastructure with a utility company to provide reliable last-mile service.

This guide by the World Resources Institute outlines the necessity of transitioning from a linear "take-make-waste" economic model to a circular economy to mitigate the climate crisis and resource depletion. It proposes three primary strategies for this transition: reducing overall consumption, improving the quality and nature of consumption, and implementing systemic changes through design and policy.

This policy brief examines the impact of plastic pollution on Canada's freshwater systems, highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic increased the use of single-use plastics and personal protective equipment (PPE), thereby exacerbating the litter problem. It advocates for a transition from a linear to a circular economy and urges the Canadian government to implement a zero plastic waste strategy.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that increasing electricity access, particularly through decentralized solar mini-grids, is critical to unlocking agricultural productivity and job creation in Africa. Using Uganda as a case study, the document highlights a significant 'value-addition gap' where low productivity and poor post-harvest infrastructure limit economic growth. It recommends a coordinated approach combining energy infrastructure with the reform of agricultural cooperatives, expanded access to micro- and commercial finance, and targeted micro-enterprise training for rural farmers.