Search Climate Insights Directory

This position paper by Geres, an international development NGO, outlines its strategy for achieving universal energy access as a catalyst for the energy transition and poverty reduction. The document details Geres' approach to providing affordable, renewable energy services to households and small businesses at the 'base of the pyramid,' emphasizing the integration of energy efficiency, local capacity building, and gender equality to ensure sustainable development and climate resilience.

This report by the Alliance for Renewable Electrification (ARE) and UNIDO ITPO Germany explores the integration of decentralised renewable energy (DRE) in the mining sector to decarbonise operations and provide electricity to underserved surrounding communities. It advocates for a 'shared use' approach to infrastructure to address energy poverty and environmental impacts while enhancing the sustainability of mineral supply chains.

This document is a Request for Proposals (RfP) and Terms of Reference (ToR) issued by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) to procure event logistics, branding, and coordination services for the 2024 Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF).

The Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Agreement Template is a standardized guide provided by the Alliance for Renewable Electrification to help countries accelerate private sector participation in rural electrification through the construction of mini-grids.

This document is a template and guideline for creating an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) specifically for clean energy mini-grid projects. It provides a standardized framework for project developers to identify environmental and social risks, implement mitigation measures across the project life-cycle, and ensure compliance with national regulatory frameworks.

The Angovo project, implemented by ANKA in southern Madagascar, is a Team Europe green energy initiative deploying solar mini-grids to enhance rural energy access, stimulate economic development, and mitigate CO2 emissions through a blended finance model.

The 'Les Soleils du Garamba' project is a Team Europe-funded initiative to deploy green mini-grid energy infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of Congo to reduce environmental pressures on Garamba National Park and improve regional stability.

The 'Regulations for Mini-Grids Template' is a guide provided by the Alliance for Renewable Electrification to help countries standardize mini-grid licensing, technical standards, and tariff regulations to reduce transaction costs and attract private investment in rural electrification.

The NREA Toolkit is a comprehensive guide designed by GOGLA and SolarPower Europe to assist in the establishment and management of National Renewable Energy Associations (NREAs). It provides practical frameworks for organizational setup, membership growth, strategic communication, governance, financial sustainability, resource mobilization, and evidence-based policy advocacy to support the growth of the solar energy sector.

The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) has published the Circularity Guidelines on end-of-life battery management to establish minimum standards for renewable energy companies operating in low- and middle-income countries. The guidelines aim to prevent the public health and environmental risks associated with substandard recycling, particularly for lead-acid batteries, by promoting durability, repair, take-back schemes, and certified recycling practices.

The Results-Based Finance (RBF) Grant Agreement Template, published by the Alliance for Renewable Electrification, provides a standardized framework for governments and organizations to provide fixed grants to mini-grid operators based on verified electricity connections. The guide outlines the legal and financial structure of such agreements, emphasizing the need for tailored conditions to support domestic companies and ensure project viability.

This case study examines the regulatory barriers hindering the development of a regional fuel ethanol market within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), focusing on sugarcane as a primary feedstock.

The 2012 SAIIA Young Leaders Declaration is a statement negotiated by South African youth at the 1st South African Institute of International Affairs Young Leaders Conference. The document outlines youth-led recommendations for the international community, the African continent, and the South African government across three primary themes: climate change and sustainable development, universal education, and the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

A speech delivered by Søren Asp Mikkelsen, Deputy Ambassador of Denmark to South Africa, on October 26, 2009, discussing the objectives of the upcoming COP15 climate conference in Copenhagen and Denmark's experience with green growth through wind energy.

This report summarizes a workshop hosted by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) on June 23, 2009, regarding energy services within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The document outlines the challenges of liberalizing trade in energy services, the tension between universal electricity access and tariff levels for Independent Power Producers (IPPs), and the need for a regional integrated resource plan to reduce dependence on Western information and fossil fuels.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines Africa's potential to become a global green hydrogen hub and outlines how G20 members can support a just energy transition on the continent. It highlights Africa's competitive advantages in renewable energy and infrastructure while detailing specific national projects and regional frameworks necessary for scaling production.

Senegal's progress toward its NDC commitments is hindered by a severe lack of international climate finance, the absence of a national monitoring (MRV) system, and a strategic shift toward oil and gas exploitation that threatens its low-carbon goals. While the country has successfully implemented large-scale wind and solar projects and is developing green transport (BRT and TER), these are overshadowed by the $10 billion investment in hydrocarbons. The COVID-19 pandemic further delayed key projects and diverted budgetary resources toward immediate socioeconomic resilience.

This research paper examines the evolution and implementation of Benin's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) between 2015 and 2021, focusing on the energy, agricultural, forestry, and waste sectors. It analyzes how these climate commitments align with national development priorities and suggests integrating monetary policy with climate goals to enhance sustainability and private sector investment.

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 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.