Search Climate Insights Directory

This report by Ember argues that Asia's economic rise is intrinsically linked to the rise of electricity, shifting the global energy paradigm from resource extraction to technology manufacturing.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative argues that the European Union must accelerate its transition to clean energy to achieve energy sovereignty and protect itself from global geopolitical shocks. It highlights the risks of relying on fossil fuel imports and proposes a five-step strategy—electrification, interconnection, flexibility, decarbonization, and the use of methane emission regulations—to reduce dependence on high-risk suppliers and enhance industrial competitiveness.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative argues that expanding domestic renewable energy is critical for Japan's national security and strategic autonomy. It highlights Japan's high dependence on energy imports and proposes a pathway to achieve 80% to 90% clean power by 2035-2040 to reduce geopolitical vulnerability and economic risk.

This research paper argues that African nations must transition from fragmented national negotiations to a coordinated regional approach to trade diplomacy regarding green critical minerals. By leveraging the Africa Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS), the authors suggest that the continent can move beyond raw material extraction toward green industrialization and value addition, utilizing a collective negotiating framework to increase leverage against competing global powers.

This document is a policy brief from the International Energy Agency (IEA) regarding the role of the energy transition in the European Union (EU) and its global implications. It focuses on the EU's strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, specifically examining the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, the role of critical minerals, and the geopolitical shifts resulting from the moveS transition. The brief highlights the need for diversified supply chains forS for critical minerals to reduce dependency on single sources, particularly China, and the importance of integrating energy security with climate goals. It also discusses the impact of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on international trade and the transition of energy-intensive industries. The documentS document emphasizes that while the EU is making progress, significant acceleration in deployment of wind and solar power is required to meet its 2030 targets. It also addresses the challenge of balancing economic competitiveness with the transition to a low-carbon economy, noting the role of the EU's Green Deal laS Deal Industrial Plan as a response to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

This report, developed through a collaborative workshop in September 2025, provides strategic recommendations for African foreign ministries to enhance their influence at the United Nations. It argues for a shift from 'principles to pragmatism,' emphasizing the need for institutionalized coordination, financial self-reliance within the African Union (AU), and a more flexible approach to UN Security Council (UNSC) reform to avoid diplomatic deadlock.

This research paper examines Africa's potential to develop a solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing sector by leveraging its mineral resources and solar irradiance. It analyzes the barriers to entry, such as China's market dominance and high capital requirements, and proposes a regionalized strategy to overcome these challenges.

The Lobito Corridor is a 1,300 km railway project in Angola designed to transport critical raw materials (CRMs) and electric vehicle (EV) battery value chain products from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to the EU and US. While supported by various MoUs and a consortium including Trafigura, Mota-Engil, and Vecturis, the project faces significant competition from established Chinese supply chains and alternative transport routes to the Indian Ocean.

This policy brief examines how the European Green Deal can foster cooperation between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) across six priority areas: energy transitions, circular economy, trade, agricultural adaptation, climate diplomacy, and financial instruments. It emphasizes the need to align EU ambitions with African priorities, such as poverty reduction and climate adaptation, while avoiding the creation of new trade barriers for Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

This policy brief by RMI argues that the United States requires a bold, coordinated national vision for transportation electrification by 2030 to meet climate goals and maintain global industrial competitiveness. It proposes specific targets for EV adoption and infrastructure, alongside a national industrial strategy to retool manufacturing and an aggressive fleet electrification plan.

A statement by RMI calling for the United States to adopt a robust industrial policy and public-private partnerships to regain global competitiveness in the clean energy transition following the inauguration of the Biden-Harris Administration.

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 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 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.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the cooperation between BRICS nations and Africa, focusing on industrialisation and infrastructure financing. It evaluates the role of South Africa in promoting African interests within the BRICS framework, the potential of the New Development Bank (NDB), and the challenges of debt, transparency, and unequal trade.

This briefing by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute argues that the United States must proactively plan for climate-induced migration to avoid regional instability and humanitarian crises. It highlights the lack of legal protections for environmental migrants and the specific risks of agricultural decline in Mexico and Central and South America, while noting the potential strain on U.S. military resources tasked with humanitarian aid.

This 2010 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute provides a strategic analysis of biodiversity in Tallinn, Estonia. It applies the 'Singapore Index' to assess the city's biological diversity and conservation efforts, surveys city officials on their experiences and expectations, and offers strategic and tactical recommendations to the Tallinn City Government to improve the preservation of urban biodiversity.

This research paper by Kurt Shillinger analyzes South Africa's transition from a regional hegemon during the apartheid era to a self-appointed champion of the 'Global South' in international diplomacy. It argues that while regional strategic rebalancing within southern Africa is not currently underway, South Africa is actively pursuing a rebalancing of global economic and diplomatic power through non-aligned blocs and the United Nations.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the strategic, economic, and political role of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Reserve Force (RF) system. It analyzes the challenges of transforming the RFs to be racially and culturally representative of a democratic South Africa while maintaining operational readiness for conventional deterrence, police support, and international peace missions.

This document is the concluding chapter of a report analyzing the counter-insurgency strategies employed by the Rhodesian Security Forces during the war for Zimbabwe. It argues that the white administration failed because it treated the conflict as a military problem rather than a political one, neglecting the rural black population and failing to establish a coherent national strategy until the very end of the conflict.