Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of the G20 in supporting industrialisation in Africa. It argues that while industrialisation is essential for improving living standards and creating youth employment, recent G20 summits in 2022 and 2023 lacked a central focus on this goal. The document outlines a policy framework for structural transformation and recommends that future G20 presidencies adopt a cohesive strategy to bolster Africa's manufacturing sector, agricultural productivity, and digital infrastructure.

This report by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the intersection of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and climate sustainability. It argues that while industrialization is a socio-political imperative for Africa, the continent must adopt sustainable production and trade practices to maintain global market access and competitiveness. The document highlights significant financial gaps in trade and energy transition and proposes innovative financing mechanisms and policy frameworks to align Africa's economic growth with its climate goals ahead of COP28.

This research paper examines the role and challenges of youth climate activism in Africa, highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on young Africans despite the continent's low global emissions. It discusses the motivations of youth activists, the barriers they face—including financial constraints and political repression—and the gap between tokenistic representation and meaningful policy inclusion in forums like COP28.

This insights brief by the Southern African Resilience Academy (SARA) examines the role of urban informality in building equitable resilience in cities across southern Africa and the Global South. It argues that while informality is often invisible or viewed as a challenge, it provides critical services, livelihoods, and innovation that can enhance urban resilience if harnessed through inclusive governance and partnerships.

This guidance note, published by the Global Resilience Partnership in December 2023, examines 24 marginal, small-scale initiatives termed "Seeds" within African food systems. The document analyzes how these initiatives contribute to equity and sustainability, the barriers they encounter, and how development partners can better support them to achieve systemic transformation.

The December 2023/January 2024 edition of the Peace & Security Council Report evaluates the African Union's (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) performance in 2023, highlighting a trend toward discussing thematic issues over sensitive country crises. It examines the challenges of consensus-based decision-making, the upcoming 2024 AU chairship and PSC membership elections, and the potential impact of the UN's New Agenda for Peace on African security architecture.

This briefing, submitted by Natural Justice and the Environmental Lawyers Collective for Africa (E.L.C.A), provides commentary on a zero draft study by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) regarding the impact of climate change on human and people's rights in Africa. The document evaluates the study's identification of vulnerable groups and rights, critiques its approach to corporate accountability and extractive industries, and offers recommendations to strengthen the protection of indigenous peoples, children, and the environment through legal and monitoring frameworks.

This policy brief examines the safety and security risks at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) during the Russian invasion of Ukraine and evaluates the international legal frameworks designed to protect nuclear installations during armed conflict.

The African Climate Foundation (ACF) issued a statement outlining its priorities for COP28, calling for equitable progress on the Global Stocktake, adaptation, finance, and loss and damage to ensure that climate actions do not exacerbate Africa's vulnerability or hinder its sustainable development.

This research paper outlines the strategic positioning of African countries and institutions ahead of COP28 in Dubai, emphasizing the role of the Nairobi Declaration and the African Union's Climate Change and Resilient Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032) in driving the regional climate agenda.

This policy briefing outlines a strategic framework for South Africa to navigate the geopolitical energy transition by 2050. It advocates for a shift toward complex adaptive systems thinking and the adoption of four strategic priorities: fostering sustainable energy democracies, practicing active non-alignment in diplomacy, challenging 'used energy futures,' and implementing anticipatory energy governance to move beyond growth-centric economic models.

This background note provides energy production and demand forecasts for Africa and the global community up to 2043, based on the International Futures (IFs) forecasting platform. It details the transition of energy sources, the growth of African energy demand driven by population increases, and the status of fossil fuel reserves and renewable energy projects across the continent.

This briefing note by the Institute for Security Studies examines the outlook for natural gas in Africa up to 2043, highlighting the tension between significant proven reserves and a global market facing slowing demand and potential supply gluts.

This background note from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes Africa's energy export and import trends under a 'Current Path' forecast up to 2043, highlighting the contrast between a few major energy exporters and a majority of countries dependent on imports.

This background note from the Institute for Security Studies provides projections for energy demand in Africa through 2043, highlighting a significant increase in total demand driven by population growth and development needs.

This briefing note from the Institute for Security Studies provides data on the distribution of proven coal reserves across Africa, citing the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2023.

This briefing note outlines the current state and future prospects of nuclear energy in Africa, detailing existing infrastructure in South Africa, ongoing construction in Egypt, and the exploratory interests of other nations.

This briefing note examines the current state and projected future of hydropower in Africa up to 2043. It highlights the gap between the continent's vast untapped potential and its current installed capacity, while detailing specific large-scale projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and the DR Congo.

This background note from the Institute for Security Studies projects that Africa, following its current development trajectory, will eventually become the primary global source of carbon emissions from fossil fuels, surpassing the emissions of the EU, USA, India, and China by 2061.

This background note provides historical data and forecasts for global and African energy demand and production up to 2043, highlighting the role of population growth in driving energy needs and the slow transition away from fossil fuels.