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This policy brief examines the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) from an African perspective, analyzing its compatibility with the African Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty) and the role of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE).

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines agroecology as a science-based alternative to the industrial food system, which it describes as unsustainable and a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. The document details the environmental, social, and economic benefits of agroecological practices, while identifying systemic barriers—such as skewed government subsidies and limited research funding—that hinder its global scaling.

This working paper examines the experiences and challenges of climate change practitioners in the global South as they transitioned to online engagement during the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on a 2020 CDKN survey and interviews across Africa, Asia, and South America, the document analyzes the impact of the digital divide, evaluates various communication platforms, and provides lessons for organizing inclusive virtual events for marginalized and remote populations.

This policy brief provides a stocktaking of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) negotiations on e-commerce as of February 2021. It examines how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption while widening the digital divide, and analyzes the current state of play in the JSI negotiations, including areas of convergence and persistent divergence among the 86 participating members.

This case study describes a hybrid solar-wind mini-grid project implemented by Ryse Energy in Ada Foah, Ghana. Originally intended only for agricultural output, the project scope expanded to provide basic electricity to a village of approximately 500 people experiencing extreme energy poverty. Funded by a United Nations grant, the system integrates wind turbines, solar arrays, and battery storage to provide reliable energy for irrigation and community needs, avoiding 85 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of agriculture in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of Southern African countries. It argues that while agriculture is often mentioned, NDCs frequently lack quantifiable commitments, detailed financing plans, and the active inclusion of farmers. The document provides recommendations for strengthening these climate policies to better support farmers' interests and enhance the agency of national farmers' organisations (NFOs).

This report examines Ghana's efforts to integrate nuclear energy into its power mix to support economic development and industrialisation. It details the country's history of energy crises, the transition from power shortages to excess supply, and the long-term strategic goal of achieving universal electricity access and a highly industrialised economy within four decades.

This 2021 report by FSD Africa, prepared in collaboration with Impact Value, defines the concept of 'sustainable futures' and outlines how it is operationalised and measured across FSD Africa's projects. The framework emphasizes a 'just transition' and the preservation of five types of capital—financial, manufactured, human, social, and natural—to ensure that current interventions do not compromise the needs of future generations.

This policy brief evaluates the Global Programme of Action (GPA), a non-binding UNEP initiative launched in 1995 to combat land-based marine pollution. While the GPA successfully shifted global focus toward source-based action and established key partnerships for nutrient management, marine litter, and wastewater, it has struggled against increasing pollution levels and a shift toward more specialized, legally binding treaties. The document highlights that 80% of marine pollution comes from land, with plastics and untreated sewage posing severe threats to marine ecosystems and human livelihoods.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) identifies key strategies to accelerate climate change adaptation across Africa. Based on interviews with African scientists and practitioners, the paper advocates for a shift toward locally-led, inclusive solutions that integrate indigenous knowledge with scientific projections. It proposes three primary investment pillars: enhancing people's skills and knowledge, building climate-resilient economies, and investing in nature-based solutions.

This briefing examines the 25-year history and impact of the Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities, detailing its role in coordinating international efforts to combat marine pollution from terrestrial sources.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute maps the green bond landscape in Africa as of January 2021. It identifies the market as nascent and underdeveloped, dominated by a few states and entities, and outlines the structural barriers and opportunities for scaling up green finance to meet climate mitigation and adaptation needs across the continent.

This report synthesises 50 'Voices from the Frontline' stories from June 2020 to October 2021, documenting how local communities in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean coped with the compounding effects of Covid-19, climate change, and socioeconomic vulnerability. It examines these experiences through the lens of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting grassroots resilience and the need for external actors to support locally-led solutions.

The 2021 report 'Energizing Finance: Understanding the Landscape' analyzes finance commitments for electricity and clean cooking in 20 high-impact countries (HICs) based on 2019 data. It finds that investment levels for both sectors fall critically short of the requirements to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), with electricity finance declining in 2019 and clean cooking investment remaining stagnant.

This annex to the 2021 NYDF Goal 7 Progress Report provides technical and economic mitigation potential estimates for forest-related activities, analyzes the ambition of forest targets in National Determined Contributions (NDCs), and estimates the global finance needs and public finance flows for forest mitigation.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines mine waste management legal frameworks in Ghana and British Columbia, Canada. It outlines international best practices for minimizing waste volume and ensuring long-term stability, while analyzing how both jurisdictions apply these principles to manage risks associated with tailings facilities and legacy mining sites.

This case study compares mine waste management in Ghana and British Columbia, Canada, highlighting the importance of risk-based legal frameworks. Ghana is noted for its strong environmental assessment processes and efforts to formalize artisanal mining via satellite monitoring, though it needs better corporate accountability. British Columbia's framework, significantly strengthened after the 2014 Mount Polley dam breach, is highlighted for its rigorous technical standards, independent review boards, and a dedicated government audit unit to ensure regulatory effectiveness.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines mine waste management frameworks in Ghana and British Columbia, Canada. It outlines international best practices, such as the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), and compares how these two jurisdictions implement standards, corporate accountability, and financial mechanisms to mitigate the environmental and social risks of mine waste.

The NAP Global Network 2020–2021 Progress Report details the activities of a network dedicated to supporting developing countries in formulating and implementing National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). During the reporting period (December 2020 to November 2021), the Network shifted toward providing rapid, short-term technical assistance via its Country Support Hub and focused on integrating gender, health, and finance into adaptation planning to accelerate climate-resilient recovery.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the divergent approaches to migration between Africa and Europe, arguing for a shift from securitised responses toward a collaborative partnership focused on development, legal labour pathways, and the regularisation of remittances.