Search Climate Insights Directory

This case study by Natural Justice describes the legal efforts to protect fishing communities in Lamu, Kenya, from the environmental impacts of the Lamu Port Three Berth Project and a proposed coal power plant.

This literature review examines the challenges of prioritisation and alignment in public sector planning and budgeting, with a specific focus on the South African context. It analyzes international case studies from Chile, Malaysia, and Uganda to identify successful mechanisms for linking strategic goals to resource allocation and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems. The report highlights that successful prioritisation is deeply dependent on the socio-political environment, institutional stability, and the balance of power between central and local government. It concludes that South Africa's fragmented institutional structure and factional politics hinder the implementation of aligned planning, suggesting a pragmatic, incremental approach and the potential for genuine participatory governance at the local level.

This research paper argues for the limitation of fossil fuel production, specifically oil, as a method to increase climate policy ambition. It focuses on a case study of California, suggesting that stopping new oil well permits would reduce global CO2 emissions and improve local environmental justice.

This research paper examines the intersection of gender, culture, and energy transitions in rural Africa, specifically analyzing the Mpanta solar mini-grid in northern Zambia through the Energy Cultures Framework to demonstrate how socio-cultural norms affect the distribution of benefits from modern energy services.

This working paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes examples from G20 countries regarding the reallocation of public funds away from fossil fuels to align with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This case study describes South Africa's Working for Water (WfW) scheme, a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) project launched in 1995 to combat invasive alien plants while providing employment and social support to marginalized communities.

A case study on the Bolsa Floresta ("Forest Allowance") Programme in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, a payment for ecosystems services (PES) scheme that combines community investments and cash payments to conserve rainforests and improve local livelihoods.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the flow of public money in G20 countries that supports fossil fuel production and consumption. It argues that despite international commitments like the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals, G20 governments continue to provide substantial subsidies, credit support, and state-owned enterprise (SOE) investments to the fossil fuel sector. The document provides eight case studies of reforms in countries such as Indonesia, Canada, Argentina, and India, as well as the European Union, to illustrate how public resources can be shifted toward a low-carbon economy and sustainable development.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how G20 governments can reform public support for fossil fuels to align with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. It provides eight case studies of reforms in consumption and production subsidies, public financing, and taxation, while offering a framework for transitioning public funds toward clean energy and social needs.

This research paper examines the political economy of border economies in the SADC region, focusing on the Beitbridge and Chirundu border posts. It analyzes the causes of 'standing time' (truck delays) and the tensions between trade facilitation efforts and the sustainability of local border economies, providing policy recommendations to improve driver wellbeing, support small-scale traders, and diversify border town economies.

This case study describes a partnership between Anzana Electric Group (formerly Virunga Power) and Songa Energy to develop small hydro projects in Burundi, aiming to establish a rural utility through a private concession.

This research paper examines the potential for increasing economic inclusion in the coastal and marine tourism sectors of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) states by promoting the participation of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines eight case studies of organizations utilizing innovative technologies—including blockchain, artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things—to improve data processing and decision-making for the protection of freshwater resources.

This case study examines a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) signed in August 2017 between Cummins, a global industrial manufacturer, and EDP Renewables (EDPR) North America. The deal focuses on expanding wind capacity in Indiana to help Cummins meet its corporate sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction goals.

This case study describes a 45-day 'curb access' pilot conducted in spring 2018 by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the Austin Transportation Department (ATD). The project repurposed four metered parking spaces into a contiguous loading zone at the corner of West 6th Street and Nueces Street in Austin to evaluate if such zones could improve safety and facilitate the use of ride-hailing services like Uber, Lyft, and RideAustin, thereby encouraging a shift away from personal vehicle ownership.

This case study, produced for the U.S. – India Catalytic Solar Finance Program (USICSF), analyzes barriers to scaling rooftop solar in India's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector. It proposes a Credit Guarantee Mechanism (CGM) to mitigate risks of payment delay and default, thereby unlocking debt financing for Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) serving low-rated or unrated MSMEs.

This case study by FSD Africa examines the remittance landscape in Uganda, identifying it as a net recipient of remittances with significant inflows from the UK, South Sudan, and Rwanda. While the market is advanced, it faces high costs, significant informality, and regulatory hurdles, particularly regarding mobile money and KYC requirements.

This policy brief examines the opportunities and challenges of integrating women into the renewable energy (RE) value chain in Africa, with a specific focus on case studies from Rwanda and South Africa. It argues that while RE offers a unique chance to move away from the non-gender-aware patterns of traditional energy sectors, significant barriers remain in leadership, financing, and education.

The report 'Young Leaders' by WWF South Africa documents the first decade of its Environmental Leaders internship programme (2008–2018), which aims to bridge the gap between university graduation and professional employment in the green economy. The programme focuses on developing scarce green skills through work-based learning, dedicated mentoring, and professional networking to combat high graduate unemployment in South Africa.

This case study details the World Resources Institute's (WRI) transition from a traditional financial-return-focused investment strategy to a sustainable investing approach for its $40 million endowment. Starting in 2014, WRI integrated environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into its portfolio management, moving from a model of internal board oversight to a partnership with an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO). The document outlines the challenges of ESG data interpretation, the decision to prioritize holistic ESG integration over simple fossil fuel divestment, and the financial results of this shift.