Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy briefing examines the impact of invasive plant species on food security in Africa and advocates for the use of Earth Observation (EO) data to map and manage these species. It highlights gaps in current policy frameworks and recommends that international and regional bodies integrate EO tools to protect agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

This report by Friends of the Earth International examines the impacts of 'dirty energy'—including coal, oil, gas, nuclear, and mega-dams—across the African continent. It argues that these energy systems exacerbate climate change, cause severe health and environmental damage, and fail to provide universal energy access, while often benefiting corporate elites over local communities.

This document is a statement of grounds of appeal filed on 13 October 2016 by eight environmental and community organisations against the approval of the Environmental Management Programme (EMPR) for the Yzermyn underground coal mine. The appellants argue that the approval, granted by the Mpumalanga Regional Manager of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) on 28 June 2016, ignored critical biodiversity risks, failed to provide adequate mitigation for water resource degradation, and disregarded the socio-economic vulnerability of local rural communities.

A statement of grounds of appeal filed by eight environmental and community organisations against an environmental authorisation granted on 7 June 2016 to Atha Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd for the Yzermyn underground coal mine near Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga. The appellants argue that the authorisation is based on a fundamentally flawed Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) that ignores critical biodiversity risks, fails to address socio-economic impacts on vulnerable communities, and was granted by an incorrect competent authority.

This briefing discusses the use of innovative trade-flow modelling to increase transparency in agricultural supply chains in Amazonia. By linking production jurisdictions in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru to downstream actors, the authors argue that stakeholders can better identify deforestation risks and build coalitions to transition toward sustainable production landscapes.

This fact sheet describes a project led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and supported by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) to address climate change vulnerabilities in Belize's tourism sector. The initiative focused on identifying at-risk coastal sites, assessing policies, and proposing adaptation strategies, culminating in the adoption of an integrated coastal zone management plan in February 2016.

Nigel Sizer, outgoing director of the World Resources Institute's (WRI) Forests program, reflects on the development of monitoring and restoration initiatives and the increasing role of the private sector in forest conservation prior to his transition to president of the Rainforest Alliance.

This report assesses the drivers and ecological impacts of human migration within the Misotshi–Kabogo ecosystem in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It highlights the tension between increasing population pressures—driven by conflict and economic opportunity—and the need to protect a highly biodiverse, currently unprotected region. The authors recommend the formal establishment of Ngamikka National Park with a zoned resource-use system to balance conservation with local livelihood needs.

The National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Report 2015/16, published by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), provides a comprehensive overview of environmental law enforcement activities in South Africa. It details the capacity of the Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI), national compliance statistics, provincial performance, and specific case studies regarding industrial pollution and biodiversity crimes, particularly rhino poaching.

The Migration and Conservation Toolkit, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in 2016, provides a four-phase framework for conservation practitioners to assess and address the impacts of human migration on critical ecosystems. The guide emphasizes a participatory approach to understand the links between migration drivers, livelihood choices, and biodiversity loss, offering specific tools for mapping, stakeholder analysis, and the design of migration-sensitive interventions.

This policy brief examines the impact of human migration on the Bale Mountains ecosystem in southeast Ethiopia, specifically focusing on the Harenna Forest. By comparing the woredas of Harenna Buluk and Delo Mena, the document analyzes how political pull factors and economic push factors drive migration, leading to accelerated deforestation, biodiversity loss, and a shift from traditional pastoralism to profit-oriented crop farming. The authors propose several policy interventions, including the regulation of informal land markets, the use of flagship species for conservation, and the development of sustainable livelihoods such as tourism.

This report examines the impact of migration, primarily from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on the Lake Albert ecosystem in Buliisa District, Uganda. It highlights how the influx of low-cost migrant labor and increased market demand have led to severe overfishing, the degradation of aquatic biodiversity, and the failure of local fisheries co-management structures.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International alleging that Harvard University's investments in large-scale forestry plantations in Corrientes, Argentina, have caused ecological damage and deprived local communities of their livelihoods.

This commentary by Scott Vaughan, President and CEO of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), discusses the book 'On the Edge: The State and Fate of the World’s Tropical Rainforests' by Claude Martin. The text outlines the scientific history of tropical rainforest research, the primary drivers of deforestation—specifically agriculture and infrastructure—and the progress made through protected areas and remote sensing. It further examines the intersection of forest loss with climate change, carbon emissions, and the risks of species extinction.

This research paper synthesizes knowledge on the impacts of biofuel expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the trade-offs between development goals and environmental or socioeconomic risks, and identifies policy and knowledge gaps as primary barriers to sustainability.

This expert panel report, compiled by Emross Consulting Pty. Ltd. for the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), evaluates the legality and environmental implications of mining within protected environments in Mpumalanga Province, focusing specifically on the proposed Yzermyn coal mine in the Mabola Protected Environment (MPE). The report concludes that the MPE's proclamation was well-founded due to its high biodiversity and hydrological value, and recommends against allowing mining in the area.

A fact sheet by Friends of the Earth detailing how climate change and extreme weather patterns threaten the production of common Valentine's Day gifts, including chocolate, coffee, wine, flowers, and other agricultural products.

An open letter from Friends of the Earth member Janet Thew to Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) CEO David Booth, detailing her decision to divest $100,000 from the firm due to its investments in companies linked to deforestation and human rights abuses.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. It compares the SDGs' universal and integrated approach to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), analyzes proposed targets from various UN-related entities, and identifies gaps in implementation strategies and systemic integration.

This briefing note examines the vulnerability of Kenya's tourism sector to climate change, detailing specific environmental risks, economic impacts, and strategies for business adaptation and emission reduction to promote sustainable tourism.