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National Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Report 2009-10
The National Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Report 2009-10 provides a comprehensive overview of environmental law enforcement activities in South Africa from April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010. It details the growth of the Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI), national statistics on criminal and administrative enforcement, and specific case studies regarding industrial pollution and biodiversity crimes, particularly rhino poaching.
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Document type: Report
PAIA Civil Society Network Shadow Report: 2010
The PAIA Civil Society Network (PAIA CSN) report provides an analysis of the implementation and usage of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) in South Africa between August 2009 and August 2010. The report highlights systemic failures in records management, poor responsiveness from public and private bodies, and the limited use of the Act as a human rights advocacy tool. It further expresses strong opposition to the Protection of Information Bill, arguing that its broad definitions and criminal sanctions threaten open governance and the protection of whistleblowers and journalists.
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Document type: Report
South Africa’s Energy Security in the Context of Climate Change Mitigation
This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the tensions between South Africa's reliance on coal for energy security and its commitments to climate change mitigation. It analyzes the dominance of the state utility Eskom, the challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, and the potential for regional energy cooperation within Southern Africa to diversify the electricity supply mix.
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Document type: Report
Firearm Amnesties: a Means to Reduce Violent Crime in South Africa?
This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines a firearm amnesty launched by South African Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa from 11 January to 11 April 2010. The author analyzes the effectiveness of such amnesties in reducing violent crime, noting that while they reduce the total number of available weapons, evidence linking them to crime reduction is scarce due to complex variables.
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Document type: Briefing
Post-confl ict reconstruction and peacebuilding
This seminar report, compiled by the Institute for Security Studies, documents a two-day event held in September 2010 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The seminar brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to critically examine the nature of post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding, specifically questioning the 'liberal peace' model and its practical implementation in Africa.
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Document type: Report
The state of the region Security Sector Governance in Southern Africa
This workshop report, compiled by the Institute for Security Studies, documents a three-day conference held in March 2010 in Pretoria, South Africa. The event brought together regional experts, academics, and security practitioners to analyze the challenges of democratic security sector governance (SSG) and security sector reform (SSR) across Southern Africa, with specific case studies on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Botswana.
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Document type: Report
Shifting Sands: India’s New Approach to the Politics of Climate Change
This policy brief examines the evolution of India's approach to climate change, noting a shift from a rigid stance based on historical equity toward a more pragmatic, constructive engagement in international diplomacy. This transition is driven by the desire to enhance international status and strengthen strategic relationships with the United States and China, while domestic climate action remains primarily motivated by development goals, energy security, and poverty alleviation.
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Document type: Policy brief
Practical Guidance on the Use of Urine in Crop Production
This guide provides technical and institutional recommendations for using human urine as a liquid fertilizer in crop production. It details the nutrient composition of urine, application strategies to maximize yield and minimize ammonia loss, and a multi-barrier health risk management approach based on WHO guidelines. The document also offers a framework for developing local guidelines and presents case studies from Sweden, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
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Document type: Guide
Balancing climate concerns and energy security
This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute analyzes the duality of China's climate approach, arguing that its domestic mitigation efforts are primarily driven by urgent energy security concerns rather than environmentalism. While China maintains a pragmatic domestic policy with ambitious energy intensity and renewable targets, its international diplomacy is characterized by a struggle to balance its reputation as a responsible global power with the need to protect its economic development and sovereignty.
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Document type: Policy brief
What Types of Information Are Needed for Climate Change Adaptation Decision Making in Africa?
This research paper by Sives Govender examines the information requirements for climate change adaptation in Africa, categorizing needs into responsive, proactive, and robust policy frameworks. It highlights the critical role of early warning systems, satellite-based monitoring, and the integration of socio-economic data to mitigate vulnerabilities in water, food security, and coastal infrastructure.
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Document type: Research paper
Peak Phosphorus: Opportunity in the Making
This report examines the risks associated with "peak phosphorus"—the point when demand for rock phosphate exceeds supply—and its implications for global food security and water quality. It focuses on the Lake Winnipeg Basin as a case study for extreme eutrophication and proposes a transition toward phosphorus stewardship through nutrient recovery, recycling, and improved agricultural practices to reduce dependence on mineral fertilizers.
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Document type: Report
RTEA Namibia Sector Paper - Green Labelling, Eco-certification and Fair Trade: Threats and Opportunities for Namibia
This policy brief examines the role of green labelling, eco-certification, and fair trade in Namibia, identifying them as both competitive advantages for high-value niche markets and potential barriers to trade due to certification costs.
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Document type: Policy brief
IBSA Six Years On: Co-operation in a New Global Order
This policy briefing evaluates the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Forum six years after its 2003 launch. It argues that while the forum has a mixed record regarding commercial outcomes and market integration, it has successfully fostered political coordination and development cooperation. The author recommends that IBSA prioritize development efforts and the expansion of its development fund to distinguish itself from economic-centric groupings like BRIC.
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Document type: Policy brief
Managing and Reforming the Defence Sector
This document is a report of an ISS seminar held on October 12, 2009, in Pretoria, featuring keynote speaker David Chuter. The seminar focused on the discourse of defence transformation and the management and reform of the defence sector, specifically discussing Chuter's new book which updates his previous 2000 monograph on the subject.
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Document type: Briefing
ISS Seminar Report: The 20008/9 South African Crime Statistics
The ISS seminar report analyzes South Africa's 2008/09 crime statistics, noting a 0.2% overall increase in reported crimes (2,098,229 cases). While murder rates declined, 'trio crimes' (house robbery, business robbery, and carjacking) rose significantly. Gauteng is highlighted as a critical area, accounting for 42% of the country's aggravated robberies, leading to the implementation of an intelligence-driven strategy targeting approximately 3,000 high-frequency offenders.
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Document type: Report
A community approach to sharing traditional knowledge for non-commercial research
This report proposes the creation of a 'Traditional Knowledge (TK) Commons' to facilitate the sharing of traditional knowledge for non-commercial research while preserving the biospiritual virtues and cultural integrity of indigenous and local communities (ILCs). It argues against the wholesale commodification of TK, suggesting instead a licensing system that ensures reciprocity, non-appropriation, and the continued flow of knowledge back to the source communities.
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Document type: Report
The Africa South America Summit 27-28 September 2009
The document analyzes the second Africa South America summit held on 27-28 September 2009 on Margarita Island, Venezuela, focusing on efforts to strengthen South-South co-operation as a counterweight to Northern influence and the ideological divisions among participating nations.
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Document type: Research paper
THE CHALLENGE OF UNIONISATION AND DEMOCRATISATION OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE
This report documents a seminar held by the Institute for Security Studies on September 19, 2009, regarding the unionisation and democratisation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The discussions focus on the tension between constitutional labour rights and military discipline, the adversarial relationship between the Department of Defence (DOD) and military unions, and the systemic grievances of soldiers leading to protests.
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Document type: Report
SAIIA at 75 - SAIIA
This statement, delivered on the 75th anniversary of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), outlines the evolving role of think tanks in the 21st century, specifically within the African context. The speaker emphasizes the necessity of informed public debate to guide government action and argues that African think tanks must overcome financial and political constraints to diversify global knowledge production and influence policy outcomes.
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Document type: Statement
Unpacking the Zimbabwe Crisis: A Situation Report
This situation report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the progress of Zimbabwe's Inclusive Government (IG) following the September 2008 Global Political Agreement (GPA). It examines the political violence and economic collapse that led to the power-sharing deal, the structural weaknesses of the GPA, and the ongoing tensions between ZANU-PF and the MDC factions.
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Document type: Report