Search Climate Insights Directory

This fact sheet by Zero Carbon Analytics explains the mechanics, predictions, and regional impacts of La Niña, the cool phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. It details the likelihood of a transition to La Niña in 2024, the increasing frequency of multi-year events, and how human-caused climate change influences these phenomena without offsetting overall global warming.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the current technological landscape of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and the potential for emerging technologies to drive sustainable development. It analyzes the ASM life cycle—from exploration to mine closure—and identifies gaps in technology adoption, particularly regarding worker safety, environmental protection, and financial inclusion. The document highlights the dual nature of technological advancement: while it can increase productivity and recovery rates, it also risks displacing labor, especially women, and potentially increasing environmental degradation through overmining.

The April 2024 report by Global Energy Monitor and partners reveals that while global coal capacity reached a record 2,130 GW in 2023, there is a stark divide: China continues to expand its fleet, while most other countries are reducing new construction. The report highlights that only 15% of operational capacity has retirement plans aligned with the 1.5°C goal. Regional analysis shows significant progress in the EU and UK, stability in Sub-Saharan Africa (dominated by South Africa), and a lack of new projects in the MENA region.

The document discusses the role of established and emergent gas producers in Africa, noting the potential for revenue growth due to global supply constraints caused by the war in Ukraine, while warning of the high risk of stranded assets as the world moves toward net-zero emissions.

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 on Mozambique 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 across four areas: climate profile changes and scenario modelling, implications for key economic sectors and macroeconomics, existing government adaptation measures and challenges, and strategic suggestions for funding mobilization.

A case study examining the risks associated with natural gas development in Mozambique and Tanzania within the context of a global low-carbon energy transition.

The March 2024 Peace & Security Council Report examines the transition of the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC) membership, the critical security situation in Abyei, the operational challenges of the African Standby Force (ASF), ongoing AU institutional reforms, and the response of ECOWAS to unconstitutional changes of government in West Africa.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of the G20 in supporting Africa's energy transition and climate financing. It critiques the Indonesian and Indian G20 presidencies for failing to address Africa's specific needs, noting a significant gap between the continent's climate funding requirements and actual inflows. The document proposes a strategic agenda for the upcoming Brazilian and South African presidencies, focusing on increasing the flow and quality of climate finance, reforming debt treatments, and enhancing participation in carbon markets.

This briefing note by the Global Resilience Partnership and Transitions Research examines the landscape of urban resilience solutions in informal contexts across the Global South. Based on a review of approximately 130 solutions, the report identifies a significant gap in urban climate investment—where only 1.2% of urban climate finance flows to adaptation and resilience—and highlights that most non-governmental solutions are still in early development stages. It provides recommendations for municipalities, funders, and policymakers to scale these innovations through better coordination, hybrid financing, and the integration of informal settlements into city planning.

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 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) advocates for the use of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in the mining sector to enhance sustainable development. It distinguishes SEA from project-level Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), demonstrating through case studies in Namibia, Ghana, Romania, and Mozambique how SEA can influence national policies and regional planning to better manage cumulative impacts, resource use, and stakeholder interests.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) promotes the use of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in the mining sector to enhance sustainable development. It distinguishes SEA from project-level Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), highlighting how SEA integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations into high-level plans, policies, and programs (PPPs). Through international case studies, the document outlines the benefits of SEA for governments, companies, and communities, identifies common implementation obstacles, and provides recommendations for integrating SEA into national and regional mining planning, particularly for critical minerals.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the application of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) within the mining sector. It distinguishes SEA from project-level Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), positioning SEA as a strategic tool to integrate environmental and social considerations into policies, plans, and programs (PPPs). Through case studies from Namibia, Ghana, Romania, Mozambique, and Canada, the document demonstrates how SEA can optimize infrastructure, improve governance of artisanal mining, and manage mine closures, while identifying key institutional and political obstacles to its implementation.

This fact sheet by Natural Justice outlines the proposed changes to Mozambique's land laws, specifically focusing on 'Draft 1' of the proposed Land Law. It warns that the new law would privatise land, remove access to 'unavailable land', and fail to protect local communities from forced displacement or provide legal guarantees for their role in land decision-making.

The Natural Justice Strategy 2024-2028 outlines a pan-African approach to securing social and environmental justice through the legal empowerment of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The organization focuses on strategic litigation, policy influencing, and the protection of traditional knowledge to combat the impacts of the climate crisis and harmful extractive projects.

This fact sheet by Natural Justice describes the 2024 land law review process in Mozambique, criticizing the inadequacy of public consultations and the risks posed by the 'Draft 1' proposal, which threatens community land rights and allows for forced displacements.

This report, based on the 2023 Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF), outlines the potential and challenges of green mini-grids in sub-Saharan Africa. It emphasizes the need for patient growth capital, improved regulatory frameworks, and the integration of productive uses of energy to ensure the commercial viability and sustainability of distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions.

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.