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This research paper examines the role of Industrial Development Zones (IDZs) and special trade zones in attracting investment and stimulating exports, comparing South Africa's approach with that of major global trading partners and providing recommendations for further incentives to attract foreign direct investment.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) issued a statement mourning the death of Leon "Lee" Schipper on August 16, 2011, highlighting his role as a co-founder of EMBARQ and his contributions to sustainable transportation research.

China is the world's largest producer, consumer, and exporter of seafood. While its aquatic trading system is strong in aquaculture scale and adaptive supply chains, it faces sustainability challenges regarding traceability, coral reef fish imports, and aquaculture practices. The report examines the economic impact on livelihoods and the potential limits of growth in harvesting and aquaculture.

This policy brief examines the potential impact of Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs) on exports from China, emphasizing that the level of exposure depends heavily on design details such as the products included, the applied CO2 price, and the method used to assess carbon content.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the use of business delegations accompanying the South African president on state visits as a tool for economic diplomacy. It analyzes the benefits and challenges of this practice, particularly under President Zuma's administration starting in 2009, and proposes a new model to improve the coordination and effectiveness of private sector participation in foreign policy.

This report analyzes market trends and policy drivers within the international copper supply chain, specifically focusing on China's imports of copper scrap (Flow C) and primary copper mining products (Flow D). It examines the environmental and social impacts of these flows, the regulatory landscapes in key exporting and importing regions, and provides policy recommendations to improve sustainable development outcomes.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the governance of climate finance in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It analyzes the imbalance between mitigation and adaptation funding, the dominance of private finance over public funds, and the role of regional development banks in shaping climate policy and investment in these regions.

This briefing from the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) outlines a study initiated in late 2010 to analyze how national and international policies impact the development and cost reduction of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology. The document describes the motivations for the study, the primary policy questions being addressed, and the analytical framework used to evaluate policy effectiveness across the PV value chain.

This research paper analyzes South Africa's decision to vote in favor of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 regarding military intervention in Libya. The author argues that South Africa failed to foresee how the resolution would be used by NATO to pursue regime change rather than solely protecting civilians, suggesting that South Africa may not yet be prepared for the responsibilities of a permanent Security Council seat.

This research paper examines the practical realities of sectoral approaches (SAs) to climate action, arguing that effective measures must be built from the bottom up, starting with domestic policies rather than top-down international agreements.

This report by Friends of the Earth International and several partner organisations argues against the 'Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investment' (RAI), asserting that large-scale land acquisitions—or 'land grabbing'—cannot be made responsible and should instead be outlawed to protect food sovereignty and human rights.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International and a coalition of social movements condemning the 'Principles of Responsible Agricultural Investment' (RAI) as a facade to legitimize large-scale land grabbing. The document argues that these voluntary principles, promoted by the World Bank and other international agencies, mask financial speculation and human rights violations while advocating instead for food sovereignty and genuine land reform.

This research paper examines South Africa's strategic objectives and challenges following its invitation to join the BRIC grouping in December 2010, focusing on its role as a representative for Africa in global governance, development, and trade.

This report documents a speaker's meeting on April 4, 2011, featuring Rob Davies, the South African Minister of Trade and Industry. The discussion focuses on South Africa's trade strategy, the challenges of the WTO Doha Development Round, and the potential of the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement (T-FTA) to enhance regional integration and economic growth.

This meeting report details a policy dialogue organized by the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in March 2011. The event focused on the implications of engagement by China, India, and Brazil (CIB) in Africa and how this affects Africa-Europe relations, emphasizing the need for mutual learning, triangular cooperation, and African-led development strategies.

This policy briefing examines the trend of trade protectionism and 'bail-out' subsidies following the global economic recession, specifically analyzing whether South Africa's industrial support measures comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM).

A statement by Amory B. Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) arguing that the Fukushima nuclear disaster demonstrates the inherent dangers and economic obsolescence of nuclear power. Lovins contends that nuclear energy is uniquely risky, costly, and slow to deploy compared to renewable energy, cogeneration, and efficiency measures, which he presents as superior alternatives for climate protection.

This research paper analyzes how the accounting of international greenhouse gas (GHG) offsets affects the integrity of global climate mitigation pledges. Using a spreadsheet model based on marginal abatement costs, the authors examine scenarios where offsets are either double-counted (credited to both the buyer and seller) or counted only for the buyer. The study finds that double-counting could significantly dilute the ambition of current pledges, potentially reducing global abatement by up to 1.6 billion tons of CO2e by 2020, thereby increasing the gap to meet 2°C warming targets.

The 2010 report by the Climate Policy Initiative reviews China's progress during its 11th Five-Year Plan (FYP), which aimed to reduce energy intensity by 20%. The study finds that China was on track to meet this target, with energy intensity decreasing by 15.6% by the end of 2009. While significant gains were made in the power and industrial sectors through plant closures and technology upgrades, the building and transport sectors saw energy use increase due to urbanization and economic growth. The report notes that many policies were top-down administrative measures that may not be cost-effective for future goals, as much of the 'low-hanging fruit' for efficiency gains has already been utilized.

This research paper critiques the common misconceptions surrounding Sectoral Approaches (SAs) to climate mitigation, proposing the broader term 'Sectoral Approaches, Agreements and Measures' (SAAMs). Through case studies of the steel sector in China, India, and Japan, the author argues that practical implementation must be domestic-led rather than top-down and international. The paper concludes that SAAMs should co-exist with carbon pricing and that sector-specific forums are more effective for development than the generic discussions currently held at the UNFCCC.