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The document examines the socio-economic instability of South Africa's platinum belt, specifically following the 2012 Marikana tragedy. It argues that the 'oscillating migrant labour' system persists because of a 'double balance' in the national elite bargain, where the ruling ANC and traditional authorities maintain insecure communal land tenure to ensure a steady supply of cheap labour. The author contends that corporate social investment (CSI) and Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) are insufficient to address these structural issues due to coordination failures and the exclusion of 'informal' migrant settlers. The paper recommends reforming land tenure legislation, prohibiting traditional authorities from operating as corporations, restricting politically connected elites from BEE transactions, and implementing more humane, shorter migration work cycles.

The document evaluates the transition from the OAU to the AU, noting that while the AU has improved peace and security through supranational norms, it struggles to implement democratic governance reforms. It highlights a disconnect between Africa's recent economic growth and the persistence of poverty and unaccountable leadership. The authors argue that the AU must operationalise the African Governance Architecture and strengthen the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to ensure that economic gains are sustainable and that the vision of 'Agenda 2063' is realised.

The document outlines the IPCC WGII AR5 findings, emphasizing that climate risk is a product of hazards, exposure, and vulnerability. It advocates for a 'solution space' for adaptation that includes structural, institutional, and social measures, while noting that adaptation has limits and must be paired with strong mitigation to avoid irreversible tipping points.

The document translates the global findings of the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report into a regional context for South Asia, detailing observed warming, projected risks to food and water security, and the potential for low-carbon development. It emphasizes that while further warming is inevitable, integrated adaptation and mitigation can protect development gains and offer economic opportunities.

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has grown rapidly, with 40.5 million people directly engaged by 2017, often as a poverty-reduction strategy. While ASM provides a significant portion of global gold, sapphire, diamond, tantalum, and tin supplies, it is characterized by high informality (70-80%) and severe environmental and health risks, most notably the release of approximately 1,400 tonnes of mercury annually. The document advocates for inclusive formalization, the use of ethical certification schemes, and cooperation between ASM and large-scale mining (LSM) to improve sustainability and livelihoods.

The document examines the tension between marine resource sustainability and poverty alleviation for small-scale fishers in South Africa. It analyzes the 2012 Policy for the Small Scale Fisheries Sector, noting that while it formally recognizes small-scale fishers and introduces community-based co-management and local monitors, it fails to address provincial variations, the lack of enforcement power for monitors, and the disconnect between government departments like DAFF and the dti. A case study of Hamburg highlights the failure of a 2002-2004 abalone permit pilot project and the ongoing prevalence of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which threatens both ecosystems and legal livelihoods.

The document advocates for a shift from top-down development to a resilience-based approach in African agriculture, using conceptual models like the adaptive cycle and panarchy to understand systemic collapse and restoration. Through case studies in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Kenya, it demonstrates how political power, colonial legacies, and rigid policy frameworks can create poverty traps, while local leadership and enabling policies can restore ecological and social resilience.

The document evaluates the application of a training module focused on integrating Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) into development priorities in the Caribbean. Using the Driving Forces–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework, the approach helps policy-makers identify synergies between environmental obligations and economic sectors such as tourism and agriculture. Findings from three case studies in Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia highlight that while the tool improves the ability of policy-makers to articulate MEA relevance, significant barriers remain, including limited cross-sectoral collaboration, insufficient data for target setting, and a lack of political will to alter high-level development priorities.

The document examines China's role in Sierra Leone as a trade partner and infrastructure developer. While Chinese activities may promote overall economic growth, the author argues that weak local institutions hinder the ability to ensure these investments lead to significant poverty reduction or employment. The brief highlights specific infrastructure projects, the nature of Chinese developmental aid, and the challenges regarding labour rights and corporate social responsibility in the mining sector.

The document examines the dual nature of climate-influenced migration in Bangladesh, noting that while it can drive economic growth and serve as a vital adaptation strategy, it also exposes migrants to exploitation and poor living conditions in cities like Dhaka. It argues for proactive policies to protect migrant rights and enhance the adaptive potential of movement.

The document reviews the history of the TICAD process from its inception in 1993 to the 2013 TICAD V summit, highlighting Japan's shift from a front-line aid provider to a partner navigating a landscape of increased investment from BRIC nations. It details the specific goals of previous conferences and outlines the three core themes of TICAD V: a robust and sustainable economy, an inclusive and resilient society, and peace and stability. The author argues that Japan needs to strengthen its internal institutional capacity and public relations to better differentiate its approach from those of the US, Europe, and China.

The report examines Bangladesh's efforts to mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation into its national planning through a 'building blocks' framework consisting of an enabling environment, policies and planning, and projects and programmes. While the country demonstrates strong political will and has established various funding mechanisms like the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund, it faces significant challenges due to an information gap regarding specific climate impacts and a lack of coordination between sectoral data systems.

The G-20 is not fully satisfying any of the five parts of the test, and therefore fails to reach its full potential as a global economic governance actor.

The report identifies a 'syndrome of fragility' in Africa driven by the interaction of poor governance, conflict, inequality, and poverty. Using the International Futures (IFs) system, it forecasts that while 16 of the 26 identified 'more fragile' states could transition toward resilience by 2050, ten countries—including the DRC, Somalia, and South Sudan—are at risk of remaining in a fragility trap. The analysis warns that climate change and democratic deficits could exacerbate these risks, and recommends long-term national development plans, extractive sector reform, and direct cash transfers to the poor to pivot toward a more optimistic future.

The document assesses the potential for human development in the Western Cape through 2040 using the Human Development Index (HDI). The 'Base Case' forecast predicts significant improvements in life expectancy, income, and education, potentially reaching levels comparable to the UK and Austria by 2040. The brief explores three alternative policy-driven scenarios: an 'Education Push' to accelerate schooling attainment, a 'Broadband Initiative' to boost GDP through ICT infrastructure, and 'The End of AIDS' to reduce HIV prevalence and mortality. It concludes that a combined 'Accelerated Development' approach would yield the highest HDI gains through synergistic effects between health, education, and economic growth.

The document argues that 'mainstreaming' adaptation—integrating it into existing policies and plans—is the most effective way to scale up resilience in the Asia and Pacific region. It describes mainstreaming as an iterative, multi-year process that must occur across national, sectoral, and sub-national levels to avoid policy conflicts and ensure efficient resource use. Key entry points identified include poverty reduction strategy papers, national development plans, and sectoral strategies for water and disaster risk reduction. The brief emphasizes that successful integration requires extensive stakeholder engagement, including vulnerable populations, and the translation of climate data into scaled-down, usable information for local planners.

The document argues that eradicating malaria in Africa by 2025 would prevent 12 million deaths and increase the continent's economic output by nearly US$ 430 billion by 2050. Using the International Futures (IFs) tool, the authors compare a 'Base Case' of continued current efforts against a 'Malaria Eradication' scenario. They find that while eradication would lead to a slight population increase, this would be tempered by declining fertility rates resulting from lower infant mortality. The brief highlights that the economic gains, driven by increased productivity and reduced disability, would far outweigh the high costs of eradication campaigns and vaccine development.

The authors developed a nested, multi-scale scenario logic to analyze the interaction between global/national trends and local farmer livelihoods regarding smallholder tree plantations. Applied in workshops across two localities each in Indonesia and Vietnam, the method helped structure the process and highlight contextual differences, with the authors suggesting its potential utility for climate adaptation studies.

Ecuador's Socio Bosque programme provides annual per-hectare payments to private and communal landholders who maintain forest cover. While not originally designed for REDD+, it supports Ecuador's climate strategy by reducing deforestation and increasing the resilience of the rural poor. After three years, the programme covered 881,933 hectares through 1,566 agreements, though it faces challenges regarding land titling and high monitoring costs.

The paper explores the synergies between community based natural resource management (CBNRM) and community based adaptation (CBA), arguing that poverty reduction, governance, and ecosystems are the primary overlapping drivers for both approaches. It highlights that while local incentives drive initial CBNRM action, the scaling of these efforts to national and regional levels depends on an enabling environment consisting of policies, institutions, capacity, and collaboration.