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This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines Africa's priorities and demands for COP28, emphasizing the need for a fundamental overhaul of the global financial architecture to ensure equitable climate finance, accelerated adaptation funding, and the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund.

This policy brief by Jayati Ghosh for the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the drivers of global food insecurity, specifically the 'ratchet effect' where domestic food prices in low- and middle-income countries remain high even after global prices fall. The author argues that recent price spikes were driven by financial speculation and agribusiness profiteering rather than supply shortages, and proposes a series of strategic interventions including public buffer stocks, financial regulation of commodity markets, and capital flow management to protect vulnerable economies.

This report analyzes the state of the South African mining industry following the August 2012 Marikana massacre. It argues that the tragedy was a symptom of deeper structural issues, including poor living conditions for mine workers, a failing Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) framework, and a volatile regulatory environment. The author calls for a 'new social contract' involving community development agreements and a shift toward broad-based empowerment to ensure sustainable growth and prevent further violence.

This research paper examines the inclusion of women in the renewable energy (RE) value chains of Rwanda and South Africa. It identifies systemic barriers—including limited access to STEM education, a lack of gender-responsive financing, and a disconnect between policy and implementation—that prevent women from moving beyond passive roles as energy consumers into technical, managerial, and entrepreneurial positions. The document provides a three-tier gender mainstreaming toolkit to help policymakers, donors, and the private sector foster a more inclusive energy sector in Africa.

This research paper examines the potential for establishing a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) hybrid Centre of Specialisation (CoS) to support South Africa's Green Hydrogen Economy (GHE). It analyzes systemic failures in the current vocational skills development system—including declining enrolments, poor throughput rates, and a disconnect between curricula and industry needs—and evaluates the existing CoS model and pilot programs (Bambili and NBI) to provide recommendations for a demand-led, flexible skills strategy for the green transition.

SEforALL's Theory of Change focuses on five outcomes to achieve SDG7: gender mainstreaming, global commitments, policy standards, financial flows, and direct energy connections. Key achievements include securing over USD 600 billion via Energy Compacts, supporting national energy plans in Nigeria and Rwanda, and delivering direct electricity connections to over 3,000 people in Madagascar.

The Gender and Energy Compact is a coalition formed by UNIDO, ENERGIA, and GWNET, with support from several governments, to promote a gender-responsive energy transition. The initiative focuses on ensuring women have equal opportunities to lead and benefit from the transition, as well as equal access to sustainable energy services, aiming for specific outcomes by 2030 to support SDG7 and SDG5.

This report by Sustainable Energy for All examines the critical role of cold chain logistics and reliable electricity access in the global rollout of vaccines, specifically highlighting how infrastructure gaps in low-income regions and Sub-Saharan Africa hinder the achievement of herd immunity.

The Global Tracking Framework, coordinated by the World Bank/ESMAP and the IEA, establishes a system of indicators to monitor progress toward three 2030 goals: universal access to modern energy services, doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvement, and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

The 'METHODOLOGY-SDG IQ' (GS4GG PAA M400-06) is a global guide for quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions achieved by replacing operational fossil-fuel-based electricity generators with new renewable energy systems (RES). It emphasizes an 'Integrated Replacement' approach, requiring the permanent decommissioning of fossil-fuel assets and the implementation of a Just Transition Plan to ensure maintained or improved energy access.

The Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Anti-Corruption, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Fraud Policy establishes a zero-tolerance approach to financial misconduct. It defines various forms of corruption, outlines reporting mechanisms via a Compliance Officer and a dedicated hotline, and mandates strict disciplinary actions and legal reporting for violations. The policy applies to all staff, board members, and funded partners who lack their own equivalent policies.

SEforALL partnered with the ICTP to provide technical training on geospatial data management and application to energy planners from nine African countries. The program aimed to address a capacity gap in government planning units to better inform electrification and clean cooking strategies. Participants from Madagascar, Malawi, and Rwanda are currently applying these skills to develop national data governance and clean cooking plans.

This executive summary, published by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), updates the 2018 'Chilling Prospects' study by analyzing cooling access across 52 climate-exposed countries. It advocates for a needs-based approach to sustainable cooling to protect vulnerable populations, ensure food and medicine security, and align with the Kigali Amendment and the Paris Agreement.

The executive summary of 'Energizing Finance: Taking the Pulse 2021' analyzes the financial requirements to achieve universal energy access (SDG7) in Ghana, Mozambique, and Vietnam. It focuses on decentralized solutions, estimating the capital needed for electricity (Tier 1) and clean cooking (Tiers 2-4), while identifying critical affordability gaps and regulatory barriers that hinder private sector investment.

The executive summary of 'Energizing Finance: Understanding the Landscape 2021' analyzes energy finance commitments in 20 developing 'high-impact countries' (HICs) for 2019. It finds that investments for both electricity and clean cooking are critically insufficient to meet Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), with electricity finance declining in 2019 and clean cooking investment stagnating. The report emphasizes the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, a shift away from fossil fuels, and a more comprehensive, multi-technology approach to clean cooking to ensure a just energy transition.

This case study describes the Malawi Energy Compact, which aims to provide the entire population of 25 million people with access to climate-friendly, energy-saving, or cleaner cooking solutions by 2030, with a long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Multilateral Energy Compact for Health Facility Electrification is a sectoral initiative convened in 2021 by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and Power Africa to address the energy gap in global healthcare, aiming to electrify 35,000 health facilities by 2026.

The Barbados Energy Transition and Investment Plan (ETIP), published by Sustainable Energy for All, outlines a strategic pathway for Barbados to achieve net-zero emissions (NZE) by 2035. The plan identifies NZE 2035 as the most feasible scenario, requiring a total capital investment of BBD 19 billion through 2040, primarily driven by the electrification of the transport sector. The transition aims to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhance climate resilience, and create approximately 1,500 new jobs, with a strong emphasis on integrating women and youth into the clean energy workforce.

The report evaluates Brazil's energy safety nets, finding that while Luz para Todos has nearly achieved universal rural electricity access and Tarifa Social supports basic consumption for the poorest, both require modifications to support higher energy needs. Bolsa Família's support for LPG is deemed inadequate due to non-earmarked funds and rising fuel costs, leading to a recent increase in traditional biomass use for cooking.

This case study examines Indonesia's transition from universal commodity-based energy subsidies to targeted Energy Safety Nets (ESNs) for electricity and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). It analyzes the role of the Unified Database System (BDT) in targeting poor households, the impact of reforms on energy access and consumption, and the challenges posed by geographical remoteness and infrastructure gaps, particularly in eastern provinces.