Search Climate Insights Directory

A study of 60 low-income homes across 12 cities in Asia, Latin America, and Africa found that fuel type, kitchen volume, cooking methods, and ventilation are the primary drivers of in-kitchen particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) exposure.

The April 2022 Peace & Security Council Report examines the security crisis in Burkina Faso, the implementation of the African Union's (AU) youth, peace and security agenda, the appointment of the fifth Panel of the Wise, and Senegal's priorities as AU chair.

This commentary, authored by four policy institutes, evaluates the partnership between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) ahead of the sixth EU-AU Summit. It argues that for the partnership to move beyond institutional circles in Brussels and Addis Ababa, both parties must shift away from donor-recipient models toward a more balanced relationship based on African ownership, private sector engagement, and a recognition of divergent interests in areas such as the green transition and digitalization.

The 2021 AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) report notes a positive shift toward addressing climate-induced insecurity but criticizes the council for ignoring governance deficits as root causes of conflict. The report highlights the PSC's response to military coups in Mali, Guinea, and Sudan, while noting a controversial endorsement of a military transition in Chad. Looking toward 2022, it warns of potential electoral violence in Kenya, Angola, and Senegal, and identifies several conflict hotbeds, including Ethiopia and Libya. It also emphasizes the ongoing threat of violent extremism in the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, and Mozambique, while noting the AU's struggle with member state funding and the need for strategic autonomy.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the process of developing Common African Positions (CAPs) within the African Union (AU) to enable the continent to speak with one voice in global diplomacy. While highlighting successful examples like the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the author identifies systemic challenges including a lack of member state ownership, over-dependence on external funding, and disconnects between AU headquarters and multilateral diplomatic hubs.

This case study describes the relationship between the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Ethiopian government, detailing how the ISS provides independent research, technical assistance, and capacity building to support Ethiopia's political transition and peacebuilding efforts.

This scoping report, published in June 2020 by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), assesses the integration of gender considerations into Ethiopia's climate change policies, specifically the Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) Strategy and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). The report identifies significant gaps in institutionalization, accountability, and inter-departmental coordination between the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission (EFCCC) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF), while recommending the adoption of gender-responsive budgeting and the establishment of a standing inter-sectoral committee.

This research report by the Institute for Security Studies assesses South Africa's first year as an elected non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the 2019-2020 term. It examines the country's efforts to recalibrate its foreign policy under the Ramaphosa administration, its role in fostering African unity among council members, and its leadership during its October 2019 presidency.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the progress and challenges of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ahead of the 32nd AU summit. While political momentum is high, the document highlights a gap between the ceremonial launches and the technical reality, as critical tariff schedules and rules of origin remain unfinalized.

This report analyzes Egypt's 2019 chairmanship of the African Union (AU), highlighting its focus on economic goals and regional repositioning, while noting significant policy gaps regarding governance and the need for Egypt to ratify the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) agreement.

This policy brief analyzes South Africa's assumption of the African Union (AU) chairship in 2020. It examines the opportunities for South Africa to drive continental priorities—such as regional integration and peace and security—while highlighting significant challenges, including the need to build consensus among member states and the negative impact of domestic xenophobic violence on its international legitimacy.

This report analyzes the conditions necessary for African states to achieve a demographic dividend, noting that most are currently several decades away due to high youth dependency and slow fertility declines. It argues that while global growth is slowing due to aging populations, Africa's expanding working-age population offers a comparative advantage if coupled with investments in contraception, female education, and basic infrastructure. The report warns that without these interventions and significant job creation, Africa will continue to diverge from global averages in income and health.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies compares peacebuilding and inclusivity efforts in Liberia and South Sudan to provide practical recommendations for the United Nations and other international actors on sustaining peace.

The May 2018 Peace & Security Council Report examines several African Union (AU) initiatives and regional challenges, including the FemWise-Africa network for women mediators, the proposed AU Humanitarian Agency, the protocol on free movement of people, and the political situation in Liberia and the Horn of Africa. It also features an interview regarding the transformation of the NEPAD Agency into the AU Development Agency.

This policy brief by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) outlines strategies for promoting green urban industrialisation in Ethiopia. It advocates for a 'corridor approach' to connect urban clusters and industrial parks, using the Kombolcha–Mek’ele corridor as a primary case study to demonstrate how integrated transport, institutional coordination, and catalytic green investments can drive sustainable economic growth and climate resilience.

This research paper proposes an analytical framework for studying cities in the developing world using the 'political settlements' approach to understand national political dynamics through urban transformation.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the stalled implementation of the Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) and evaluates how the African Union (AU) and other African actors can support sustainable peace. It analyzes the dynamics of the conflict, the role of regional mediation, and the potential of a proposed national dialogue to broaden political participation.

This research paper discusses the transition of leadership at the African Union Commission (AUC) following the election of Moussa Faki Mahamat as Chairperson on 30 January 2017. It analyzes the challenges facing the new chair, including the need for financial independence from international donors, the implementation of institutional reforms, and the management of peace and security crises across the continent.

This fact sheet from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) outlines the evolution of China-Africa relations, tracing them from historical ties to contemporary economic, diplomatic, and security partnerships. It highlights the role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the shift in China's approach from 'non-interference' to active engagement in peace and security, while noting the impact of China's 'new normal' economic slowdown on bilateral trade and investment.

The December 2016 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the African Union's (AU) role in managing continental crises. It finds that the Peace and Security Council (PSC) often relied on regional bodies rather than leading interventions. Key issues discussed include the impact of land privatisation and climate change in Kenya's Kajiado County, the contested nature of several 2016 national elections, and the AU's efforts to promote women's rights despite a perceived failure to challenge dictatorial regimes. The report also details the funding struggles of AMISOM in Somalia and the diplomatic complexities surrounding Morocco's request to rejoin the AU.