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The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty established to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing several community and environmental groups, submitted a letter to the South African Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs and the National Air Quality Officer. The letter challenges Eskom's applications to postpone or be exempt from Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter across 17 power stations, arguing that the current application process lacks necessary health risk assessments and adequate public participation.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates population projections for South Africa up to 2050, comparing the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 with simulations from the International Futures (IFs) model. The analysis highlights significant discrepancies in population forecasts, primarily driven by differing assumptions regarding international migration, and explores the impact of fertility and mortality trends, including the role of antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) in increasing life expectancy.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates South Africa's post-conflict development and peacebuilding efforts in Burundi. It argues that while South Africa was successful in early peacemaking and peacekeeping, it failed to maintain a long-term presence after 2009, resulting in missed opportunities to consolidate peace and secure economic benefits. The document uses the Burundi experience to provide recommendations for the South African Development Partnership Agency (SADPA).

This research paper examines the prevalence and impact of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. It argues that while tariff liberalisation has progressed, NTBs—particularly those resulting from poor design and implementation—significantly constrain regional trade and undermine the benefits of the SADC Free Trade Area. The author uses evidence from private sector entities like Shoprite and Woolworths to illustrate the high costs of administrative compliance and border delays, and proposes the creation of a coordinated action plan and a 'naming and shaming' mechanism to accelerate the removal of these barriers.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyses the state of Russia–South Africa relations as of October 2013. It examines the historical development of bilateral ties, the mechanisms of political and economic cooperation, and the challenges hindering deeper engagement, such as weak civil society links and a lack of mutual knowledge.

The Durban Declaration on Climate and Health is a statement signed on December 4, 2011, by health professionals from over 30 countries during the UNFCCC's 17th Conference of the Parties. It asserts that climate change is a major global health threat and calls on national delegations to integrate public health objectives into climate agreements and transition away from fossil fuels.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted comments to the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources regarding the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill, 2013. The CER criticizes the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) for failing to meaningfully consult civil society and mining-affected communities, identifies numerous drafting errors in the Bill, and provides detailed legal objections to proposed changes concerning environmental authorizations, penalty regimes, and the granting of mining rights.

A joint submission by five environmental organisations to the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources regarding the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Amendment Bill [B15-2013]. The submission argues that the Bill and the principal Act fail to protect constitutional rights to fair administrative action and access to information for parties affected by mining.

A joint submission by several environmental organisations to the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources arguing against the MPRDA Amendment Bill's proposal to transfer environmental authorisation and enforcement powers for mining activities to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR). The authors contend that the DMR lacks the human resource capacity, budget, and track record to implement the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and that such a transfer creates an inherent conflict of interest between promoting mining and protecting the environment.

This joint submission by several environmental organisations and a consultant to the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources addresses the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill [B15-2013]. The authors focus on the issues of mine closure, rehabilitation, and financial provision, specifically arguing against a proposed 20-year limit on the retention of funds for latent environmental impacts and calling for better alignment between the MPRDA and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).

This research paper examines the formation and evolving role of the BASIC group (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) in international climate change negotiations, arguing that their cooperation is driven by the realization that global resource constraints make the development pathways of industrialized countries unsustainable.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the alignment of the G-20 food security agenda with the interests of the African continent. The analysis finds that while the G-20's commitments broadly align with African policy processes—particularly regarding food-price volatility, agricultural productivity, and nutrition—the G-20 has been slow to implement regulatory reforms and provide significant funding for African agriculture. The author argues that the G-20 often overlooks systemic issues requiring internal reform, such as biofuel policies and commodity speculation, which significantly impact food security in developing regions.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the G-20's global food security agenda and its effectiveness in Africa. While the G-20 has established frameworks to address price volatility and agricultural productivity, the document argues that a lack of implementation of regulatory reforms and the persistence of protectionist trade practices within G-20 member states limit the actual impact on African food security.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing several community and environmental groups, submitted comments on August 23, 2013, regarding uMoya-NILU Consulting's Plan of Study (PoS). The PoS was designed to support Eskom's applications for exemptions and postponements of Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for its power stations. The CER argues that the PoS is too narrow in scope, fails to include critical pollutants like PM2.5, uses inappropriate modelling software for near-field impacts, and lacks a mechanism to verify model outputs against real-world ambient measurements.

The document argues that the 31 July 2013 elections in Zimbabwe were conducted under stressful conditions and a biased political climate, leading to a likely impasse. It criticizes SADC and the AU for their indulgence of President Robert Mugabe and suggests that regional bodies must now prepare for a political deadlock.

This case study examines the funding landscape for infrastructure development within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), highlighting the critical funding gap and the complementary roles of traditional donors, new development partners, and private investors. It emphasizes the need to transition from aid-dependency to 'bankable' projects that can attract private capital to support regional integration and economic growth.

This case study examines the complexities of regional infrastructure planning in Southern Africa, focusing on the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP). It analyzes the roles of various stakeholders—including governments, development finance institutions, donors, and the private sector—and discusses the challenges of financing, coordination, and the socio-environmental impacts of large-scale projects, using the Lesotho Highlands Water Project as a specific example.

This case study examines the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), a large-scale transboundary water transfer scheme between Lesotho and South Africa. While praised for its engineering, the project has faced significant challenges regarding corruption, social displacement, and the long-term impact of climate change on water security.

This case study examines the challenges and mechanisms for financing infrastructure in Africa, with a specific focus on the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It analyzes the shift from official development assistance and commercial bank lending toward alternative funding modalities, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), infrastructure bonds, sovereign wealth funds, and diaspora-led financing, to meet the massive capital requirements of regional development plans.