Search Climate Insights Directory

This case study describes VUA Inc., a social enterprise providing financial tools and support to small-scale fishers in Kenya to combat income instability caused by seasonality and climate change.

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative examines the economic risks of palm oil monocropping for independent smallholders in the Berau regency of Eastern Kalimantan, Indonesia. It argues that while palm oil is a popular livelihood, it is insufficient to cover minimum living costs and increases food security risks. The report recommends crop diversification—specifically with maize and cocoa—as a more profitable and resilient alternative that aligns with sustainability goals.

The 'Recover Better with Sustainable Energy Guide for Caribbean Countries' outlines how sustainable energy investments can drive long-term development, economic resilience, and adherence to the Paris Agreement in the Caribbean region.

This statement by the Climate Policy Initiative argues that Indonesia should utilize its COVID-19 stimulus packages to transition toward a green, resilient, and inclusive economy rather than reinforcing fossil fuel dependence. The author suggests three primary adjustments: accelerating green industry growth through fiscal policy, diversifying and decentralizing essential resources like energy and food, and decoupling economic growth from resource use to reduce vulnerability to market shocks.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment within the mining sector. It examines immediate disruptions to labor and supply chains, the varying risks across the mining lifecycle, and the short-term responses from governments and corporations. The document concludes with strategic recommendations to build long-term resilience through automation, local procurement, and updated regulatory frameworks.

This case study examines the GreenPitch Innovation Challenge 2019, a partnership between GreenCape, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), and the City of Cape Town's Invest Cape Town initiative. The program aimed to build economic resilience by supporting early-stage green SMMEs, providing them with networking opportunities, expert feedback, and business development support to overcome barriers such as information asymmetry and lack of resources.

This case study examines the adoption of battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) by District Watch Group, a Cape Town-based security company, to improve operational resilience and reduce costs. The company has integrated 8 BMW i3 EVs into a 60-vehicle fleet, demonstrating a significant reduction in maintenance and fuel expenses compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

SSSSS

This case study examines Cape Town's response to a severe drought from 2015 to 2018, focusing on the collaborative partnerships established between public and private sectors to maintain economic resilience and avoid a jobs crisis.

This case study examines the IkamvaYouth programme in Atlantis, South Africa, a non-profit initiative designed to build resilience among disadvantaged high school students through academic support, career guidance, and peer-to-peer networking. The programme aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, specifically preparing youth for opportunities within the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) greentech hub.

This case study describes how GreenCape, a not-for-profit organisation, provided support to water-intense industrial sectors in Cape Town during the severe drought of 2015-2018. The initiative aimed to help businesses reduce water consumption to maintain operations while adhering to a 45% water restriction.

This case study describes the Innovations for Water Resilience Competition 2018, a project delivered through a three-year partnership between GreenCape and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), with support from the City of Cape Town. The competition was designed to harness high-tech entrepreneurship to develop market-driven, decentralized smart-city responses to water scarcity and climate change challenges following a severe drought.

This case study examines the Atlantis Renewable Energy Challenge (AREC), an annual non-curriculum inter-school competition for junior and high school students in Atlantis, South Africa. Launched in 2016 by GreenCape in partnership with the City of Cape Town, the programme aims to build resilience among youth by exposing them to the green economy and renewable energy sector to prepare them for future employment opportunities, particularly those linked to the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ).

This case study describes the Enterprise Development Programme (EDP), an initiative started by GreenCape in 2017 to foster green economic growth and economic resilience in Atlantis, South Africa. The programme focuses on waste diversion and entrepreneurship by identifying waste stream opportunities and providing business training and support to entrepreneurs and established businesses.

This case study examines how the City of Cape Town (CCT) and GreenCape adapted green economy skills training in Atlantis to ensure continuity during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020. The initiative focused on building economic resilience for vulnerable youth and residents by transitioning to digital platforms and adjusting technical training to meet health protocols.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) introduces two new indices—the Climate Change and Economic Vulnerability Index (CEVI) and the Climate Change and Economic Resilience Index (CERI)—to provide a quantitative basis for the allocation of climate finance. The author argues that current climate finance, particularly OECD adaptation funding, is misaligned with the actual vulnerability and resilience of recipient countries, often favoring middle-income nations over the most vulnerable low-income economies, particularly in Africa.

This working paper examines insurance mechanisms as a tool to improve climate change resilience for poor and vulnerable populations, intended to inform UNFCCC discussions leading up to the December 2009 Conference of Parties in Copenhagen.