Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper examines the "action gap" between national commitments to integrate climate change adaptation into social and economic development and the actual implementation of concrete projects. By analyzing five "early movers"—Afghanistan, Colombia, Germany, India, and Rwanda—the paper identifies critical enabling factors such as political will, legislative mandates, inter-agency coordination, accessible knowledge, and supportive budgetary processes to accelerate the transition from planning to action.

The paper analyzes the G20's role in supporting sustainable development in Africa, highlighting a growing alignment between G20 initiatives, the UN's 2030 Agenda, and the AU's Agenda 2063. While acknowledging progress in areas like infrastructure and industrialization, it criticizes the lack of African consultation in key initiatives like the Compact with Africa and the absence of a G20 focus on regional economic integration. It recommends that South Africa and other African representatives push for better resourcing of the AU and NEPAD within the G20 and advocate for a more integrated, multi-stakeholder approach to SDG implementation.

This guide by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) provides six recommendations for funders and technical assistance practitioners on delivering effective country programmes to support climate compatible development in developing countries, based on CDKN's experience in 12 priority countries and the Caribbean.

This research paper analyzes the strategic relationship between Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a period of political transition in Angola. It argues that ensuring a stable and predictable DRC is Angola's primary foreign policy objective, though Luanda's support for President Joseph Kabila has diminished due to electoral delays and regional instability.

This research paper examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) act as both barriers and enablers for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) attempting to enter global value chains (GVCs) coordinated by multinational corporations (MNCs), with a specific focus on South Africa and Kenya as regional economic gateways.

This research paper analyzes the involvement of private actors in 64 agricultural adaptation projects in sub-Saharan Africa funded by international climate funds and Rwanda's Green Fund between 2010 and 2016.

This document introduces the results of a Mining Policy Framework (MPF) assessment for Rwanda, conducted by the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) with support from the Government of Canada. The assessment aims to help the Rwandan government target implementation efforts, inform capacity-building, and monitor progress in mining policy.

This report provides an assessment of Rwanda's mining laws and policies against the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) Mining Policy Framework (MPF). Conducted between December 2016 and February 2017, the evaluation identifies strengths in Rwanda's regulatory framework and government willingness to improve the sector, while highlighting significant gaps in environmental monitoring, socioeconomic impact assessments, and mine closure planning. The report concludes that while Rwanda has robust laws, it lacks the technical and human capacity to fully implement and enforce them.

This research paper analyzes the German G20 presidency in 2017, focusing on Germany's strategic initiatives for Africa and the challenges posed by the United States' shift toward protectionism under President Donald Trump.

This working paper outlines the Climate and Development Knowledge Network's (CDKN) approach to 'capability development' as a means to bridge the gap between climate ambitions and implementation. It distinguishes capability (the ability and willingness to act) from capacity (resources and scale) and identifies four key capability types: technical, relational, strategic, and institutional. The document details a seven-step iterative process for building these capabilities and provides case studies from Rwanda and Madhya Pradesh, India, to illustrate the application of this approach in real-world contexts.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) explores the concept of 'bankability' in the context of climate finance to help developing countries create project proposals that can successfully attract international funding. It argues that climate bankability extends beyond traditional financial returns to include socioeconomic and environmental impacts, and provides a checklist of determinants to guide project developers in aligning proposals with the requirements of multilateral funds like the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

This market scoping study by Nathan Associates for FSD Africa examines the agricultural equipment leasing landscape in eight sub-Saharan African countries. It identifies systemic market failures across supply, demand, support functions, and regulatory environments that hinder the growth of leasing as an alternative to traditional asset financing for farmers and SMEs.

This research paper discusses the transition of leadership at the African Union Commission (AUC) following the election of Moussa Faki Mahamat as Chairperson on 30 January 2017. It analyzes the challenges facing the new chair, including the need for financial independence from international donors, the implementation of institutional reforms, and the management of peace and security crises across the continent.

This 2017 report outlines Ethiopia's leadership in climate action, notably as the first Least Developed Country to submit an INDC. It details the country's vulnerability to climate events, its goal to reduce emissions to 145 Mt CO2eq by 2030, and the US$150 billion cost of its CRGE strategy. The document highlights CDKN's role in helping the Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation achieve accreditation for the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund, as well as efforts to green the industrial sector and develop geothermal risk insurance.

This fact sheet from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) outlines the evolution of China-Africa relations, tracing them from historical ties to contemporary economic, diplomatic, and security partnerships. It highlights the role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the shift in China's approach from 'non-interference' to active engagement in peace and security, while noting the impact of China's 'new normal' economic slowdown on bilateral trade and investment.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates whether the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) can effectively monitor the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the authors identify strong normative and thematic alignment between the three initiatives, they argue that the APRM currently lacks the administrative capacity, funding, and technical rigor to handle the extensive monitoring responsibilities required.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines electoral trends in Africa based on elections held in 2015 and early 2016. While noting progress in democratic institution building since the 1990s, the authors identify four critical trends—constitutional manipulation, electoral calendar tampering, harassment of opposition, and low voter turnout—that threaten to reverse democratic gains. The document advocates for stricter adherence to African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Community (REC) standards to ensure credible and inclusive elections.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) synthesises seven years of experience in promoting 'climate compatible development'—an approach that integrates climate mitigation and adaptation with poverty eradication and human development. The document provides a framework for mainstreaming climate concerns into national macroeconomic planning, sectoral policies, and local governance, while emphasizing the necessity of political leadership, cross-government coordination, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. It details the financial challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, the role of 'knowledge brokers' in translating science for policy-makers, and the importance of gender-sensitive implementation to ensure equitable outcomes.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the gap between Africa's formal legal frameworks for freedom of movement and their actual implementation. While the African Union and various Regional Economic Communities have established treaties to leverage migration for development, national interests and securitized approaches often hinder progress, with West Africa currently serving as the continent's best practice model.

The 2017 Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Global Tracking Framework, co-led by the World Bank and the International Energy Agency (IEA), assesses global progress toward 2030 sustainable energy goals. The report concludes that the world is not on track to meet its objectives for universal energy access, doubling the share of renewables, and doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvement, although some individual countries show significant progress.