Search Climate Insights Directory

This document introduces a report on Kenya, part of a broader series titled "From Climate Risk to Resilience" produced by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and commissioned by the African Climate Foundation (ACF). The report analyzes the economic and social impacts of climate change on Kenya's climate-vulnerable and critical economic sectors across four sections: climate profile projections, economic and macroeconomic implications, government adaptation measures, and strategic recommendations for funding mobilization.

This report is a country study on Zambia, part of a broader series titled "From Climate Risk to Resilience" produced by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) for the African Climate Foundation (ACF). It outlines a framework for analyzing climate change impacts across four areas: climate profile projections, economic sector implications, existing government adaptation measures, and strategic recommendations for funding and resilience.

This report is part of the "From Climate Risk to Resilience" series, commissioned by the African Climate Foundation and produced by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). It analyzes the economic and social impacts of climate change in Malawi, specifically focusing on climate-vulnerable and critical economic sectors.

This policy brief by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the Global Shield (GS) initiative and the broader climate insurance landscape in Africa. The authors argue that while insurance can provide rapid disaster response, it is an insufficient tool for addressing the diverse, slow-onset impacts of climate change and often fails to provide equitable protection due to high premiums, technical complexities, and the risk of 'basis risk' where payouts are not triggered despite actual losses.

A case study on the installation of Sustain Solar SUSTAIN BOXES™ in two Malawian health clinics by International Power Control Systems (IPCS), providing off-grid renewable power for critical medical equipment and testing a sustainable business model.

This policy brief, produced as part of the 'Youth and Social Justice Futures: Identifying Future Skills and Training in Africa' project, outlines strategic recommendations for Malawi to improve youth empowerment, education, mental health, and disaster resilience. The document is based on participatory action research using Futures Literacy Labs and the Three Horizons Framework, incorporating the perspectives of Malawian youth to envision inclusive and resilient future pathways.

This policy brief, produced by the South African Institute of International Affairs as part of the 'Youth and Social Justice Futures' project, advocates for the integration of Zambian youth into the nation's socio-economic development. Based on workshops using Futures Literacy Labs and the Three Horizon Framework, the document identifies critical gaps in youth employment, political representation, education, and technological access. It proposes four strategic priorities: increasing youth representation in civic and public institutions, enhancing climate-resilient agriculture through agri-tech, reforming education to prioritize practical skills and entrepreneurship, and ensuring equitable internet connectivity.

This report by Krutham, commissioned by the African Climate Foundation, examines the role of the insurance sector in enhancing climate resilience in South Africa. It analyzes the physical and transition risks facing insurers, the gaps in national and municipal disaster risk financing, and the potential for innovative insurance products—such as index-based and microinsurance—to protect vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

This policy brief by the Southern African Resilience Academy (SARA) advocates for the integration of Gender Transformative Approaches (GTAs) into policies and programs across Southern Africa to build equitable and resilient livelihoods. It argues that traditional gender mainstreaming fails to address the root causes of inequality, such as entrenched social norms, and proposes a shift toward GTAs that challenge and change these structures to enhance community and ecosystem resilience against climate change and food insecurity.

This policy brief from the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the rising public debt burden in Africa, the complexities of its current composition, and the necessary reforms to the global financial architecture. It argues that while the G20 has established mechanisms like the Common Framework and the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), these are insufficient. The document proposes that the African Union (AU), as a new permanent member of the G20, should advocate for an African Credit Rating Agency, an African Debt Monitoring Mechanism, and a more inclusive debt restructuring process that includes private creditors and provides longer repayment periods.

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.

This research paper identifies three priority policy measures to transform food systems and improve nutritional outcomes while adapting to climate change, based on reviews of several countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.

This report by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the role of smallholder farmers in global food security, their productivity, and their adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. It highlights that small-scale farms, particularly those between two and five hectares, produce a significant portion of the world's food and often exhibit higher land productivity and biodiversity than larger farms. The document emphasizes the importance of integrating smallholders into modern agrifood supply chains and providing financial resources to scale climate-smart agricultural practices, especially in Africa.

This report analyzes the economic vulnerabilities of Malawi to climate change, highlighting that while the overall climate profile may not change materially, the intensity of floods, droughts, and cyclones is expected to increase. The agriculture and road infrastructure sectors are identified as the most critical impact channels, with agriculture employing over 70% of the workforce. Despite having various policy frameworks and a developing National Adaptation Plan, Malawi struggles to mobilize climate finance due to high public debt and a lack of bankable projects. The report recommends an Adaptation and Resilience Investment Platform (ARIP) to facilitate large-scale funding and transformative adaptation strategies, such as diversifying crop mixes and proactively upgrading transport infrastructure.

This research paper by FSD Africa analyzes the integration of gender strategies within the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 31 African countries. Using the IUCN's Environment and Gender Information (EGI) framework, the study finds that while most African NDCs mention gender, there is a significant lack of gender analysis, sex-disaggregated data, and gender-responsive budgeting. The paper highlights a disconnect between the mobilization of climate finance and gender intentionality, noting that countries with high funding levels often fail to prioritize gender-responsive budgets.

This report examines the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MEFMI member states in sub-Saharan Africa, detailing how public health measures and external shocks led to GDP declines and increased fiscal pressure.

This case study describes the climate vulnerabilities of Karonga District in Malawi and highlights a women-led initiative by the Green Girls Platform to empower local women and girls through climate education and green entrepreneurship.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines the systemic challenges facing food production in Africa and proposes specific interventions for the G20 to help the continent avoid missing the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and AU Agenda 2063 targets.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs advocates for the upscaling of marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It highlights the vulnerability of coastal and island states to climate risks and argues that integrating EbA into national policies and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) can simultaneously address climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic development.