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The November 2012 Peace and Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides analysis on critical security threats in Africa, focusing on political instability in Madagascar, the crisis in Mali, the rise of al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorism, and the evolution of the African Union's (AU) civilian and legislative capacities.

This report, the final part of a five-part series by WWF South Africa, SinCo, Carbon Tracker, and Trucost, synthesizes research on the financial risks and opportunities associated with carbon emissions and water scarcity for institutional investors in South Africa. It argues that many investors are 'universal owners' whose returns depend on the overall health of the economy, making them vulnerable to systemic risks from climate change and water stress. The report finds that carbon and water risks are largely mispriced in the market, with significant exposure in the energy and mining sectors, and calls for regulatory interventions and a shift toward low-carbon, water-responsible investment strategies to avoid stranded assets and ensure long-term returns.

The research paper argues that while South Africa does not fit the original economic profile of the Brics, its political influence justifies its membership. It suggests the group focus on mutual learning, trade facilitation, and financial cooperation while cautioning South Africa to prioritize pragmatism over ideology, maintain strong bilateral ties, and leverage its role as a political gateway to Africa.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted comments on the Draft Second Edition of the National Water Resource Strategy (draft NWRS2) to the Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs. The CER evaluates the draft against its own 2012 report, 'Stop Treading Water', highlighting areas of alignment and critical gaps in governance, institutional stability, and regulatory enforcement within South Africa's water sector.

This briefing describes a CDKN-funded project (RSGL 0024e) running from April 2012 to March 2014 with a value of £490,248. The project aims to integrate climate compatible development (CCD) perspectives into Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) and Andean Reciprocal watershed Agreements (ARA) by combining the strengths of top-down national schemes and bottom-up local initiatives.

This report documents a series of workshops organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) at the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) between 2008 and 2011. The workshops focused on the intersection of Internet policy, governance, and sustainable development, exploring how technical and policy decisions regarding the Internet impact social, economic, and environmental goals.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes Ethiopia's economic trajectory, focusing on its massive infrastructure investments, its strategic regional position, and the challenges it faces in business competitiveness and trade integration compared to Kenya.

In a speech delivered on 3 September 2012, Deputy Minister Ebrahim outlined South Africa's foreign policy and its role within the UN Security Council (UNSC), specifically regarding peace and security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). He advocated for the pacific settlement of disputes over military intervention, criticized the use of the veto by permanent UNSC members, and called for the reform of the Council to include permanent representation for Africa and Latin America.

This briefing examines food security challenges in Africa, focusing on the impact of price volatility, the role of agricultural policy, and international initiatives like the G-8's New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition. It highlights the gap between policy commitments, such as the CAADP's spending targets, and actual implementation, while discussing the tension between trade-led food security and national self-sufficiency.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates whether South Africa's 'African Agenda' and 'diplomacy of Ubuntu' align with its national interests and constitutional values. The author argues that South Africa is over-extended in its international engagements, often creating contradictions between its commitments to human rights and its strategic partnerships with authoritarian states.

This policy brief explores the potential for a 'Green Revolution' in Africa, using the International Futures (IFs) model to compare scenarios of agricultural intensification. The authors argue that while aggressive policy interventions could make Africa a net food exporter and significantly boost GDP, such production increases must be coupled with social policies to ensure food access for the poor and improvements in water and sanitation to realize human development gains.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA), submitted comments on August 22, 2012, regarding the review of the National Framework for Air Quality Management. The submission criticizes the lack of a systematic review of the 2007 Framework, the absence of a current State of the Air Report, and significant gaps in air quality monitoring and public access to information. The CER advocates for more stringent emission standards, mandatory reporting for data holders, and a more inclusive, transparent review process.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) issued a position statement calling for transparency and accountability in the South African government's decision-making process regarding shale gas fracking exploration licences in the Karoo basin.

This report details a study based on interviews with approximately 50 companies to identify trade barriers within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. It highlights a divide in perceived constraints between Southern African Customs Union (SACU) members and non-member states, emphasizing that while large-scale infrastructure projects are necessary, smaller regulatory and bureaucratic interventions are critical for fostering business growth, particularly for small-scale entrepreneurs.

This 2012 report by the Centre for Environmental Rights, funded by WWF-SA, evaluates the system for financial provisions for mine rehabilitation and closure in South Africa. It identifies systemic failures in the estimation, securing, and reporting of these funds, arguing that current practices often lead to the underestimation of environmental liabilities and leave the state vulnerable to costs from abandoned mines.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that sustainable public procurement can serve as a catalyst for peacebuilding, nation-building, and sustainable economic growth in fragile states. It highlights the significant proportion of government expenditure dedicated to procurement in these contexts and suggests that using this purchasing power to favor environmentally and socially sustainable goods can mitigate risks, combat corruption, and build local industrial capacity.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies critiques the 2012 SADC Ordinary Summit in Maputo, arguing that the organization is increasingly neglecting security and political governance in favor of economic integration. The author contends that this separation ignores the necessary links between political stability and economic development, leaving critical governance crises and security frameworks unaddressed in the summit's agenda.

This policy briefing analyzes the Maputo Development Corridor as a model for regional economic integration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It examines the corridor's establishment, the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs), its achievements in reducing transit times, and the remaining operational and political constraints that hinder its full potential.

The CRED v.1.4 Technical Report describes the methodology of the Climate and Regional Economics of Development (CRED) model, an integrated assessment model designed to estimate the optimal pace and distribution of global investment in emissions mitigation and climate policy costs.

This report analyzes the multifaceted relationship between the United States and South Africa, highlighting economic cooperation through the US-South Africa Strategic Dialogue and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), as well as defense and nuclear collaboration. It also examines points of tension, specifically regarding sanctions on Iran and South Africa's role in the BRICS bloc.