Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy brief argues that cumulative impact assessments are essential for protecting Sámi Indigenous rights in Nordic countries, particularly regarding reindeer herding, and proposes 10 procedural principles to address regulatory failures in Sweden and Finland.

This scoping report by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the intersection of green technology and youth employment in Africa. It identifies a significant gap between the potential for job creation in green technology and the current design of major funding programmes, while highlighting opportunities in ICTs, indigenous knowledge, and local manufacturing.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes inequalities in access to rural credit for family farmers in Brazil, specifically focusing on the National Plan for Family Farming (PRONAF). The report finds that credit is highly concentrated among larger family properties, producers in the South region, and those producing grains, while the smallest producers and those in the North and Northeast face significant financial constraints.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) submitted a report to the South African Standing and Select Committees on Finance criticizing the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) for continuing a path of austerity. The IEJ argues that the government should shift from a narrow focus on debt stabilization to a development-focused budget that prioritizes growth, employment, and poverty reduction. The report proposes specific revenue-raising measures, such as wealth taxes and utilizing the GFECRA surplus, and calls for the restructuring of Eskom's debt to facilitate a just energy transition.

This policy brief identifies five systemic barriers preventing African countries from accessing necessary climate finance and proposes specific interventions to enable a just climate transition.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) provides an annotated analysis of the Zero Draft of the international plastics treaty. CIEL argues for the use of legally binding language ('shall'), the inclusion of production capacity freezes, a grouping approach to chemicals to avoid regrettable substitutions, and the establishment of a global plastic pollution fee. The analysis emphasizes a full life cycle approach, the protection of human rights, and a just transition for workers across the entire plastic value chain.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative examines the role of fossil gas in sustainable finance taxonomies, arguing that fugitive methane emissions significantly increase the climate impact of gas-fired power generation, often making it comparable to coal. It analyzes various global taxonomies and concludes that the strict criteria for fossil gas inclusion in the EU Taxonomy make such projects economically unviable compared to renewable energy alternatives.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes inequalities in access to rural credit for family farmers in Brazil, focusing on the National Program for Strengthening Family Agriculture (Pronaf). It finds that credit access is limited and unevenly distributed, favoring larger properties, the South region, and grain production, while smaller producers and those in the North and Northeast regions remain largely excluded.

The 'Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2023' executive summary reports that average annual climate finance flows reached nearly USD 1.3 trillion in 2021/2022, nearly doubling from 2019/2020 levels. Despite this growth, current flows represent only about 1% of global GDP and remain heavily concentrated in a few geographies and sectors, primarily mitigation in energy and transport. The report emphasizes a massive gap between current flows and the estimated annual needs, which are projected to rise from USD 8.1 trillion to over USD 10 trillion by 2031-2050 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

This briefing argues that weak Treasury guidelines for the 45V hydrogen production tax credit could increase wholesale electricity prices for consumers. It advocates for the strict application of three pillars—additionality, deliverability, and hourly matching—to ensure that new electrolyzer demand is offset by new clean generation, preventing the price spikes associated with large-scale electricity loads like cryptocurrency mining.

This fact sheet from the Institute for Economic Justice argues for the implementation of a Guaranteed Universal Basic Income (UBIG) in South Africa to combat extreme poverty, hunger, and structural inequality. It defines a UBIG as a government commitment to ensure every adult has a minimum income level to meet basic needs, provided as a right through regular cash transfers. The document asserts that while a UBIG is not a standalone solution, it can improve health, education, and gender equality when paired with complementary macroeconomic frameworks and public services.

This fact sheet from the Institute for Economic Justice argues for the implementation of a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) in South Africa to combat extreme poverty, inequality, and unemployment. It defines UBIG as a government commitment to ensure all adults receive a minimum amount of money to meet basic needs, framing it as a fundamental right under the South African constitution and international covenants.

This fact sheet from the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues for the implementation of a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) in South Africa to combat extreme poverty, hunger, and high unemployment. It defines UBIG as a government commitment to ensure all adults receive a basic income to meet essential needs, framing it as a fundamental right aligned with the South African Constitution and international covenants.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the challenges of formalising the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector in West Africa and the Sahel. It argues that punitive crackdowns often increase fragility and criminal capture, recommending instead a supportive formalisation approach that addresses land rights, gender inequality, and the creation of decentralised service centres to reduce vulnerability to organised crime and violent extremist groups.

This policy brief examines the challenges of formalizing artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in West Africa and the Sahel. It argues that repressive measures often increase vulnerability to criminal capture and instead advocates for a holistic, support-based approach to formalization that addresses land rights, gender marginalization, and regional coordination to mitigate the influence of organized crime and violent extremist groups.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies argues that Africa's Agenda 2063 framework must be updated to integrate climate risk management and low-carbon pathways. It highlights the economic threats posed by climate change and the risk of stranded fossil fuel assets, while providing specific recommendations for African governments, Regional Economic Communities, and the African Union to enhance resilience and human security.

The November 2023 Peace & Security Council Report examines the diplomatic implications of the first Saudi-Africa summit, the coordination between the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN Security Council's A3 members, the precarious state of South Sudan's transition toward elections, and the AU's efforts to integrate youth into peacebuilding and economic integration via AfCFTA.

Jamaica's 2050 Long-term Strategy aims for a 73% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (relative to 2020) and net-zero emissions by 2060. The plan focuses on transitioning the electricity sector to 100% renewable energy by 2050, electrifying transport, improving building efficiency, and enhancing forestry and agricultural carbon sinks. The strategy estimates total costs of USD 6 billion (USD 5bn for mitigation, USD 1bn for adaptation) and emphasizes a just transition for workers and gender-responsive implementation.

This report by Transforma evaluates the implementation of Colombian national policies aimed at integrating non-conventional renewable energy sources (FNCER) and phasing out fossil fuels in electricity generation. Using the 'Implementation Check' methodology from Climate Transparency, the document analyzes key legislation, including Law 1715 of 2014 and Law 2169 of 2021, finding that while legal frameworks are strong, overall implementation is rated as 'medium' due to gaps in execution, social conflicts, and a lack of alignment between international commitments and national plans.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the rapid expansion of renewable energy in the Middle East, highlighting the region's shift toward solar power, the role of sovereign wealth funds in financing the transition, and specific national progress in countries like Oman and Jordan.