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This report by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates anti-corruption efforts within the South African Department of Social Development (DSD), specifically focusing on the delivery of social grants. It examines the transition from a fragmented apartheid-era system to a centralized model involving the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), while highlighting systemic challenges such as poverty, maladministration, and inter-agency tensions.

This policy brief, produced by the Institute for Security Studies as part of the African Futures Project, uses the International Futures (IFs) model to analyze the impact of improving water and sanitation access across Africa. It argues that an aggressive annual improvement rate of just under 2 percentage points could significantly reduce child malnutrition and infant mortality, increase GDP, and lower the probability of state failure by 2050.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the economic development of the Western Cape, focusing on its struggle with the 'middle-income trap.' Using the International Futures (IFs) forecasting model, the document compares a Base Case scenario with three alternative policy paths—Inclusive Economy, Vibrant Economy, and Enterprising Cape—to determine how the province can achieve high-income status and reduce social inequality by 2040.

This briefing analyzes the macroeconomic policy responses of the Ugandan government to the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluating the impact of expansionary fiscal and monetary measures on the real, monetary, external, and fiscal sectors, as well as on poverty levels.

This policy brief examines the development of railway infrastructure in Ethiopia, comparing the Chinese-funded Addis Ababa-Djibouti standard gauge railway (SGR) with the Turkish-built Awash-Kombolcha-Hara Gebeya/Weldiya (AKH) line. It analyzes the trade-offs between different financing models, the effectiveness of technology transfer and capacity building, and the role of Ethiopian government agency in project design.

This research paper analyzes the macroeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Senegal and evaluates the fiscal and monetary policy responses implemented to mitigate economic decline. It provides a historical overview of Senegal's economic crises and structural adjustments from the 1970s through 2019 to establish a baseline for the pandemic's effects.

This report synthesises case studies from six sub-Saharan African countries to analyse government macroeconomic policy responses to the trade and employment shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It evaluates these responses against long-term goals of social inclusivity and climate resilience, while proposing strategies for recovery and debt management between 2021 and 2026.

This policy briefing, produced as part of the COVID-19 Macroeconomic Policy Response in Africa (CoMPRA) project, analyzes Tanzania's macroeconomic policy development and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It details the fiscal and monetary measures implemented by the government and the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) to avoid recession, the economic impacts of the pandemic on GDP and trade, and provides recommendations for future financial stability, social protection, and climate resilience.

This policy brief compares the macroeconomic resilience of Senegal and Mali between 2000 and 2022, analyzing their responses to various domestic and global shocks. It finds that while both countries utilized fiscal and monetary measures to mitigate impacts, Mali experienced more frequent internal shocks due to security and climatic vulnerabilities. The authors propose a transition toward counter-cyclical policies and structural reforms in trade, industry, human capital, and governance to build long-term resilience.

This case study examines Energy Safety Nets (ESNs)—social assistance mechanisms designed to help poor and vulnerable households access modern energy services—in Mexico. It analyzes four specific measures: differentiated electricity tariffs, the Oportunidades Energéticas program, the Fondo de Servicio Universal Eléctrico (FSUE), and a pilot program for subsidized LPG. The report finds that while Mexico has extensive experience with social safety nets, its energy subsidies often disproportionately benefit wealthier households, and targeted ESNs have frequently been short-lived due to political transitions.

This report, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute in November 2009, presents a calculation and simulation model for the social costs of land transport in Estonia. It estimates the total external costs for 2007, breaks them down by cost type and vehicle category, and analyzes the extent to which these costs are internalized through existing taxes and fees.

The CHAPOSA project investigated charcoal production and forest depletion in the supply areas of Lusaka (Zambia), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), and Maputo (Mozambique) between 1989 and 1998. The report finds that woodland cover is reducing in all three regions due to charcoal production and agricultural expansion, with the most severe depletion occurring around Maputo. While charcoal provides a critical income source for the rural poor and an affordable energy source for the urban poor, the current system is largely unregulated, with state licensing and fee collection being highly ineffective. The report recommends a coordinated policy approach: enforcing fiscal systems to fund forest management, while simultaneously providing rural agricultural support and expanding urban electricity access to reduce dependence on charcoal.

This report outlines a strategic plan for the sustainable energy transition of the Galápagos Islands from 2020 to 2040, aiming for 'Zero Fossil Fuels'. It analyzes demand and supply scenarios across four sectors: residential, commercial/public, land transport, and maritime transport. The study proposes various technological substitutions—such as induction stoves, solar water heaters, electric vehicles, and renewable energy generation (solar, wind, geothermal, and CSP)—to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on imported fuels. It evaluates the cost-benefit of these measures and the impact of existing energy subsidies on the transition's viability.

This research paper evaluates the impact of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) on nitrous oxide (N2O) abatement in the adipic acid sector. While the carbon market successfully incentivized abatement levels of 98% to 100%, which exceed previous technical benchmarks, the authors find that the CDM created significant economic incentives that led to carbon leakage. Specifically, production shifted from non-CDM plants to CDM plants during the 2008-2009 economic downturn, resulting in an estimated 13.5 MtCO2e of issued credits that did not represent real emission reductions.

This executive summary of a Stockholm Environment Institute working paper evaluates nitrous oxide (N2O) abatement projects at nitric acid plants under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The study concludes that while the CDM has successfully driven innovation and emission reductions in a sector that previously lacked abatement practices, the current methodologies are overly complex and may inadvertently reward high-emitting plants. The authors recommend transitioning to a benchmark factor for baseline emissions to simplify processes and enhance environmental integrity.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates the environmental integrity of Joint Implementation (JI) during the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. The authors conclude that approximately three-quarters of JI offsets likely did not represent additional emissions reductions, potentially increasing global greenhouse gas emissions by 600 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

This policy brief describes the air pollution challenges in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, focusing on the health risks associated with particulate matter and chemical pollutants. It introduces the Programme for Rapid Evaluation of air Pollution (PREPair) as a tool for deriving low-cost, viable solutions and recommends a series of transport and industrial interventions to improve air quality.

This working paper by the World Resources Institute evaluates methods for reducing upstream fugitive methane emissions in the U.S. natural gas sector, arguing that reducing leakage rates to below 1 percent of total production would make natural gas's climate impact lower than that of coal or diesel.

This policy brief from the World Resources Institute evaluates the potential for 'green' components within U.S. economic stimulus efforts to create jobs and reduce energy costs, while cautioning that such measures cannot replace comprehensive climate and energy policy.

This report by the World Resources Institute analyzes the management of extractive industry revenues by subnational governments (SNGs) in Peru, specifically focusing on the Camisea natural gas project. It argues that international financial institutions (IFIs) and the Peruvian government failed to build sufficient SNG capacity before large revenue transfers began, leading to weak strategic planning and limited public accountability. The report recommends that IFIs withhold support for extractive projects until governance conditions are sufficient and provide targeted support for SNG capacity building in strategic planning and transparency.