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The document examines climate risk communication strategies in four countries, arguing that the lack of effective communication leads to the misinterpretation of scientific data and poor mobilization of vulnerable groups. It concludes that presenting complex information in locally relevant terms and utilizing knowledge co-generation between researchers and communities are essential for creating context-appropriate risk communication.

The document examines the role of African states in the global nuclear security framework, specifically focusing on the transition from the Nuclear Security Summit process to the IAEA's leadership. It highlights the limited representation of African nations at summits but notes their substantive contributions through treaty ratification and regional cooperation. The brief recommends that African states develop a unified perspective for upcoming international conferences and strengthen domestic legislation to align with global safety and security standards.

The document identifies three recognized felling permits in Ghana: Timber Utilisation Contracts (TUCs), Salvage Permits (SPs), and Timber Utilisation Permits (TUPs), while distinguishing the Certificate of Purchase (CoP) as a proof of ownership rather than a felling permit. It emphasizes that TUCs, as grants of natural resource rights, require parliamentary ratification under the 1992 Constitution. The briefing warns that a provision in the Timber Resources Management Act (Amendment) Act 2002 may be unconstitutional if used to grant timber rights without such ratification. Finally, it notes that only TUCs, SPs, and CoPs are recognized as legal sources of timber under the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) for export to the European Union.

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 document argues that the consumption patterns of the growing middle class in developing countries are a critical determinant of the global ability to limit temperature rise to 2°C. It suggests that because traditional carbon pricing is often difficult to implement in these contexts, targeted technology and innovation policies—focusing on urban planning, transport, and energy efficiency—are necessary. Using case studies on Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the brief emphasizes that success depends on addressing the political economy and building local capabilities rather than relying solely on economic incentives.

The document examines the impact of the growing middle class in developing countries on global carbon emissions, projecting that this group will grow from 1.5 billion in 2009 to almost 5 billion by 2030. It argues that because traditional carbon pricing is often impractical in these contexts, targeted technology and innovation policies are needed to steer consumption toward low-carbon alternatives in urban planning, transport, and household energy. Using case studies on Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the brief emphasizes that success depends on addressing the political economy and building local capabilities rather than relying solely on economic incentives.

The document finds that while trade among BRICS nations has grown, intra-BRICS FDI remains low and lacks strategic policy direction. Most BRICS countries rely on traditional investors from the EU, US, and Japan, though China, India, and Brazil have increased resource-seeking investments in Africa. The briefing recommends collaborative research, comparative studies of investment frameworks, and improved statistics to foster sustainable, development-oriented FDI within the bloc.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the drivers and challenges associated with Climate Compatible Development (CCD), defined as a "development first" approach that minimizes climate harm while maximizing human development opportunities in a low-emissions, resilient future. Drawing on experience from over 40 countries, the paper identifies key sociopolitical drivers—such as national resilience needs, energy security, and economic opportunities—and outlines significant barriers, including high implementation costs, political resistance, and institutional capacity gaps.

The document identifies five key drivers for Climate Compatible Development (CCD)—national adaptation needs, energy security, new economic opportunities, access to climate finance, and strong government leadership—while detailing seven primary obstacles, including high opportunity costs, political resistance, and institutional constraints. It provides case studies from over 40 countries to illustrate how these factors interact and suggests solutions such as multi-stakeholder dialogue, legislative anchoring, and risk-sharing financial mechanisms.

The paper identifies five key drivers for CCD: national adaptation needs, energy security and resource efficiency, new economic opportunities, access to climate finance, and strong government leadership. It also outlines seven primary challenges, including high implementation and opportunity costs, opposition from vested interest groups, lack of trusted data, short-term political thinking, limited state capacity, institutional constraints, and technological uncertainties. The authors argue that managing the political economy of CCD is essential for overcoming these barriers.

The document examines CFL exchange programmes in Ghana and Kenya, finding that while they achieved immediate technical goals—such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and peak electricity demand—they often overlooked opportunities to build indigenous technological capabilities. In Ghana, a 2007 GEF-funded programme distributed 6 million CFLs, reducing peak demand by 128 MW and saving approximately USD 33 million annually. In Kenya, the 'Badilisha Bulb' programme distributed 1.25 million CFLs, reducing CO2 emissions by 55,000 tonnes per annum. The author argues that for long-term low-carbon development, policymakers should move beyond the simple distribution of finished goods toward building local manufacturing capabilities and implementing robust performance standards to prevent the market from being flooded with low-quality imports.

The research investigates the feasibility of climate compatible development (CCD) by analyzing whether policies can deliver 'triple wins' without generating negative side effects. Using four coastal country case studies, the authors find that while 'no-regrets' triple wins exist—particularly through soft environmental engineering like mangrove restoration—many policies involve trade-offs. Hard-engineering solutions often result in 'regrets' such as habitat destruction or social inequity. The paper concludes that the governance context is critical and warns that a narrow focus on triple wins might divert funding from essential development projects that only offer double wins.

The research examines how the physical and economic characteristics of natural resources predispose them to be exploited by warring factions in Africa. It posits that resources requiring low specialized skills, high portability, and high liquidity (like alluvial diamonds) are more likely to fuel conflict. Conversely, capital-intensive resources (like deep-level gold or oil) are less attractive to rebels but can still be linked to conflict through state weakness and elite rent-seeking. The author emphasizes that while resource characteristics create vulnerabilities, the state's capacity to manage grievances and maintain territorial control determines whether these vulnerabilities lead to actual conflict.

The document analyzes the evolution of China's strategies to secure mineral resources in Africa, moving from a primary reliance on 'infrastructure-for-resources' loans to a more diversified approach emphasizing mergers and acquisitions (M&A). While infrastructure-for-resources deals have been effective in locking in long-term supply, they have often failed to secure hard equity assets due to project delays and political instability. In contrast, the 2008-09 global financial crisis enabled Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to use their high liquidity to acquire significant mining and oil assets through M&As, particularly in the mining sector. The author concludes that while the Chinese state remains a critical financier, the strategy has shifted toward more market-oriented, direct acquisitions to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and gain control over commodity prices.

The document analyzes Senegal's use of patronage, economic influence, and military cooperation to exercise power over Guinea-Bissau from 2000 to 2012. It highlights how Senegal leveraged Guinea-Bissau's instability to secure military support against Casamance separatists, while noting the eventual decline of this influence due to the rise of Angolan involvement and internal Senegalese political shifts.

The CRiSTAL Forests User's Manual describes a desktop application used to identify and prioritize climate risks to forests, ecosystem services, and livelihoods. The tool employs a participatory approach, combining community consultations with scientific data to help project managers revise existing activities or design new ones that support climate adaptation. It specifically focuses on the role of forest ecosystem services—provisioning, regulating, and cultural—in creating vulnerabilities and supporting adaptive capacity. The manual outlines a structured process involving two main modules: understanding the local livelihoods and climate context, and evaluating the implications for project design, including optional assessments for greenhouse gas mitigation and REDD+ participation.

The guidebook outlines a holistic approach to fossil-fuel subsidy reform in Southeast Asia, emphasizing a gradual transition to market-based pricing. It details methods for projecting economic and social impacts, designing mitigation measures such as targeted cash transfers, and building political support through internal coordination and external communication. The guide highlights that while subsidies are often intended to protect the poor, they frequently benefit wealthier populations and create fiscal burdens and environmental damage.

The document describes a planned conference, 'The APRM +10: Reviewing a Decade of Peer Learning and Projecting a Future of Governance in Africa', to be held in Addis Ababa in May 2013. It seeks to evaluate the APRM's progress since its 2003 establishment, specifically focusing on the implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPoAs) and the role of civil society in holding member states accountable. The briefing highlights the tension between the voluntary nature of the APRM and the compulsory nature of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), while calling for better synergies between the APRM and other AU organs, such as the Pan African Parliament and the Peace and Security Commission.

The document examines the environmental and social challenges of transport in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the rise in urban air pollution, high road fatality rates, and increasing traffic congestion. It argues that current policies favor automobiles over vulnerable populations and recommends an 'avoid, shift, improve' strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve accessibility and safety for all citizens.

The report examines how ICTs and the Internet impact the core pillars of sustainable development: economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental protection. It distinguishes between direct (first-order) negative environmental impacts, such as e-waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and indirect (second-order) positive potentials like 'smart systems' for energy efficiency. The authors argue that the most significant impacts are third-order societal changes—including the virtualization of goods and shifts in governance—which are often ignored by international policy frameworks. The report critiques the Rio+20 summit for failing to substantively address these technological shifts, suggesting that a paradigm gap exists between the ICT sector and the sustainable development community. It concludes by calling for a move away from large-scale UN summits toward more adaptive, multistakeholder dialogues and the integration of environmental sustainability into ICT design and standards.