Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper examines the potential of using publicly accessible property data, street-level imagery, and machine learning to overcome data fragmentation and gaps that hinder systematic social housing retrofit planning in the UK.

This research paper discusses how the use of taxonomies, specifically through tools like the Climate Connectivity Hub, can improve the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability (FAIR) of information regarding climate change adaptation to accelerate the implementation of effective resilience measures.

This research paper by Shamika N. Sirimanne for the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the environmental impact of the rapid growth of e-commerce. It identifies key ecological pressures—including carbon emissions from logistics, packaging waste, and high product return rates—and proposes a multi-stakeholder action plan involving governments, the private sector, consumers, and international organizations to align economic growth with environmental sustainability.

This research paper examines the energy infrastructure challenges faced by island states and the potential for decentralized renewable energy systems to improve resilience and sustainability in the face of climate change and geographic isolation.

This research paper examines the 'power to act' of state and regional governments regarding climate mitigation, identifying that while these entities possess significant financial and regulatory hard powers—particularly in decentralized countries and within the agriculture, buildings, and transport sectors—their progress is primarily hindered by limitations in human capacity, financing, and information.

This working paper provides an overview of climate commitments and actions by non-state and subnational actors in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a specific focus on the land use sector and the Amazon region.

This research paper by the NewClimate Institute and Fraunhofer ISI argues that national greenhouse gas emission targets should be determined by combining equity-based 'fair contribution' assessments with technical 'mitigation potential' evaluations to align with the Paris Agreement.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative proposes a systems thinking framework to accelerate climate finance by analyzing the interactions between international public finance actors and domestic financial systems in developing countries. It identifies systemic trends, catalogues the roles of various financial actors, and provides a methodology for mapping system dynamics to optimize coordination and collaboration.

A research paper by the NewClimate Institute and Ecofys, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), which analyzes the current status of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects and identifies barriers to their continuation following a decline in market conditions.

This research paper examines the challenges of implementing the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) for household energy projects in low-income areas of South Africa, specifically evaluating the potential of Programmes of Activities (PoA) to overcome the limitations of single-site project approaches.

This research paper, produced by the Africa Climate Change Resilience Alliance (ACCRA), examines the impact of development interventions on local adaptive capacity in Ethiopia. It utilizes the Local Adaptive Capacity (LAC) framework to argue that interventions must better support individual agency, reassess scale and scope, and utilize evidence-based decision-making to build resilience through continuous learning and innovation.

This research paper discusses the use of participatory games and simulations as tools to help humanitarian and development professionals manage climate risks by reflecting complex systems and promoting dialogue among stakeholders.

This research paper, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in April 2014, examines strategies for implementing climate compatible development at the subnational level (cities, districts, and provinces) across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It identifies specific challenges, such as scientific uncertainty and limited resources, and highlights opportunities for local innovation and the use of indigenous knowledge. The paper provides a framework of effective strategies, including the use of knowledge partnerships and participatory processes, and discusses the necessity of scaling these local successes up to national levels and out to other jurisdictions to achieve global transformational change.

This research paper examines housing vulnerability to climate hazards in Vietnam, with a specific focus on Central Vietnam and the city of Da Nang. It analyzes how socio-economic status, poor construction practices, and a lack of professional technical guidance contribute to structural weaknesses in homes, particularly semi-permanent housing. The document highlights the 'two-fold source of vulnerability' where the use of modern materials without safety standards increases risk, and discusses the economic benefits of investing in disaster-resistant reinforcement to break the cycle of poverty caused by repeated disaster recovery costs.

This research paper examines the relationship between organised crime and terrorism in Southern Africa, focusing on how illicit trades in arms, narcotics, and minerals provide resources for terrorist activities and how state-sponsored terrorism operates within the region.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the role of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in controlling the northern and eastern borders of South Africa. It details the operational structure of the Regional Joint Task Force: North (RJTFN), the resources available for border patrol, identified illegal crossing points, and trends in firearm seizures and smuggling between August 1999 and October 2000.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the growth of organised crime in South Africa following the transition to democracy in 1990. It analyzes the factors contributing to this growth, the nature of local and international syndicates, and the systemic weaknesses within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the broader criminal justice system that hinder effective countermeasures.

This research paper examines the systemic vulnerabilities of global pastoral communities and the drivers of conflict associated with their livelihoods. It argues that pastoralists are often politically and economically marginalized, making them susceptible to radicalization and violence, particularly as resource scarcity increases due to climate change and land encroachment. The document proposes a sustainable livelihoods-based framework for conflict analysis and suggests multi-dimensional interventions that integrate pastoralists into wider societal and economic structures while respecting their traditional mobility and resource management practices.

This working paper examines how electricity market mechanisms can facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the grid at the state level in India, identifying barriers to adoption and proposing frameworks for improved resource sharing and procurement.

This research paper examines the role of local financial institutions (LFIs) in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in scaling up financing for the Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) sector. It identifies significant demand for PURE technologies, particularly in agriculture, but notes that high up-front costs and LFI constraints—such as limited staff capacity and credit risks—hinder adoption. The paper suggests that LFIs can expand lending through green bonds, climate fund accreditation, and by increasing direct lending from their own balance sheets, supported by blended finance and de-risking instruments from development partners.