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The report examines the state of nature-related financial disclosures in South Africa, noting that while awareness is growing, formal adoption of the TNFD framework remains low. It advocates for the LEAP (Locate, Evaluate, Assess, and Prepare) methodology as a practical tool for companies to identify their dependencies on nature and manage associated financial and operational risks. The document highlights specific applications for the mining and agriculture sectors and emphasizes the need for technical capacity building and cross-sector collaboration to transition toward a nature-positive economy.

The document outlines the establishment of small-scale fishing zones (KVS) in South Africa as a mechanism to protect the livelihoods of vulnerable coastal communities and preserve marine biodiversity. It describes KVS as designated marine areas managed through a co-management framework involving small-scale fishers and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). The document highlights that since 2023, over 170 small-scale fishing cooperatives have been established, with fishing rights granted for 15 years. These zones aim to provide preferential access to resources, integrate local and scientific knowledge, and potentially serve as Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) to contribute to the global 30x30 biodiversity target.

The document describes Small-Scale Fishing Zones (SSFZs) as designated marine areas in South Africa designed to prioritise small-scale fishing practices through a co-management framework involving fishers and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). These zones aim to empower historically marginalised coastal communities by providing preferential access to resources and a role in local governance. The text highlights that SSFZs can serve as 'other effective area-based conservation measures' (OECMs), contributing to the Global Biodiversity Framework's '30x30' target to conserve 30% of the world's land and ocean by 2030. WWF South Africa supports this transition by helping communities establish co-operatives and implement ecosystem restoration pilot projects.

The document advocates for the formalization of Small-Scale Fishing Zones (SSFZs) in South Africa to secure the livelihoods of vulnerable coastal communities and protect marine biodiversity. It describes SSFZs as areas where small-scale fishing practices are prioritized through co-management between fishers and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Oceans (DFFE). The text highlights that while the Marine Living Resources Act of 1998 provides for these zones, they often remain conceptual. Formalizing SSFZs would allow for local decision-making, reduced conflict with commercial fishing, and a contribution to the global '30x30' biodiversity goal by potentially qualifying as Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs).

The document describes Small-Scale Fisheries Zones (SSFZs) as designated marine areas intended to protect the livelihoods of coastal communities and enhance marine biodiversity in South Africa. It outlines the co-management framework involving fishers and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), and aligns these zones with the global '30x30' biodiversity goal by potentially classifying them as Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs).

The report finds that nature-related financial disclosures among large South African companies are in their infancy, with most firms relying on existing climate governance structures that do not yet substantively address biodiversity. While there is high awareness of the TNFD framework, formal adoption is very low, with only four companies having adopted it by the end of 2025. The analysis highlights significant gaps in board-level accountability, a lack of specific biodiversity metrics, and limited engagement with Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The report recommends that companies leverage their more mature climate reporting systems to fast-track the adoption of TNFD recommendations and integrate nature-based solutions into their value chains.

The document describes the Drakensberg and Eastern Cape regions, noting that grasslands in these areas support wetlands and serve as sources for major rivers. It highlights the presence of over 350 bird species, including all five of South Africa's critically endangered species, and identifies the Umzimvubu as the country's longest free-flowing river at approximately 400 km. The region is characterized by hot summers with rainfall between 500-1,500 mm/year, winter snow on mountains, and 250 km of pristine coastline.

Climate change is driving global wine production to historic lows, with sparkling wine facing specific threats to its quantity and quality. Extreme weather in France, Spain, and Italy has led to reduced yields and price increases for labels like Cava and Prosecco. Higher temperatures are accelerating ripening, which alters the balance of sugar and acid, potentially resulting in higher alcohol levels and less fizzy wines. Projections suggest that if global temperatures rise by 2°C, over half of suitable wine-growing regions could shrink, with up to 90% of traditional areas in southern Europe becoming economically unviable. Adaptation strategies, such as relocating vineyards or using protective technology, are costly and may fail to preserve the unique cultural and flavour characteristics of traditional sparkling wines.

In 2025, solar and wind power expanded fast enough to outpace global electricity demand growth for the first time over a sustained period. Solar growth accelerated in Africa and Central Europe, while BRICS nations now generate over half of global solar power. The rise of 'electrotech'—led by China—and falling battery costs are enabling fossil-free baseload power and supporting the energy demands of AI and data centres.

The document analyzes the strategic role of BRICS+ countries in the global critical minerals market, focusing on the potential for African members to move up the value chain and the complex dynamics of their cooperation with the European Union.

The document analyzes how climate-induced stressors, such as desertification in the north and sea-level rise in the south, exacerbate security threats in Nigeria, including farmer-herder conflicts and insurgency. It evaluates the current security architecture, finding that while the National Security Strategy recognizes climate change, there is a significant lack of actionable integration within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies. The brief highlights gaps in institutional coordination, resource allocation, and risk assessment, while suggesting lessons from South Africa, Kenya, and Australia to build a more resilient, community-engaged policing model.

The document argues that Universal Basic Income (UBI) in South Africa is a matter of justice rather than charity, asserting that it would unlock economic potential and provide a fairer social contract. It contends that UBI is more cost-effective and inclusive than targeted systems, which often suffer from high exclusion errors. The text suggests a UBI could start at the national food-poverty line of R796 per month or the food poverty line of R1 634 per month, with the latter having a gross cost of approximately R342 billion, though the net cost would be lower after tax returns and economic growth.

The author contends that UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which endorses a US-led plan for Gaza, is a 'recipe for further conflict' due to its lack of local legitimacy. The plan proposes a Board of Peace (BoP) for governance and an International Stabilization Force (ISF) for disarmament, but the author argues these will be viewed as instruments of occupation. Drawing on comparisons with successful disarmament in Colombia, Northern Ireland, and South Africa, the text asserts that security reform requires local ownership and a political resolution—specifically Palestinian statehood—rather than external imposition.

The 2025 G20 presidency under South Africa served as a symbolic platform for African priorities, including debt sustainability and just energy transition, but faced significant challenges due to the absence of the US and a general lack of collective ambition on climate change. While the presidency successfully advanced discussions on critical minerals and disaster resilience, the Final Communiqué failed to mention transitioning away from fossil fuels, reflecting a broader trend of G20 paralysis on environmental leadership.

The document argues that a 'window of opportunity' has opened for Africa due to the convergence of China's domestic push for renewable energy leadership and US-China geopolitical tensions. While the US has retreated from climate leadership and scaled back African assistance, China is pivoting toward 'small is beautiful' project financing and green industrialization as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and FOCAC commitments. To maximize these opportunities, the brief recommends that African nations implement rigorous strategic planning, professionalize project pipelines, adopt innovative mixed-financing models to reduce sovereign debt, and pursue regional energy integration through frameworks like the Southern African Power Pool.

The research paper examines the increasing role of GCC countries—primarily the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar—as major investors in Africa's energy transition and infrastructure. It identifies food security and economic diversification away from hydrocarbons as the primary drivers for Gulf states. While highlighting significant projects in renewable energy and mining, the paper warns that the current focus on large-scale, export-oriented developments may sideline local community needs and climate adaptation priorities unless African policymakers actively steer investments toward local beneficiation and regional integration.

The report details the disproportionate risks faced by women environmental and human rights defenders (WEHRDs) in Africa, including gender-based violence, criminalization, and digital surveillance. It highlights a significant gap between the actual violence experienced and official data, which often underreports attacks against women. Through country spotlights on Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria, the document illustrates how patriarchal norms and corporate-state collusion exacerbate the vulnerability of WEHRDs. It concludes with recommendations for African states and international donors to implement gender-responsive protection frameworks, end the criminalization of activism, and provide flexible, long-term funding for women-led grassroots initiatives.

The study finds a substantial disconnect between African climate commitments (NDCs) and national development blueprints (NDPs), with NDCs focusing on climate-centric sectors like energy and forestry while NDPs prioritize economic growth, finance, and the private sector. This 'parallel policy framework' is driven by institutional fragmentation, where NDCs are often externally funded and led by environment ministries, whereas NDPs are domestically anchored and led by economic planning ministries. The authors recommend a 'whole-of-government' approach to embed climate goals into national budgets and development strategies to maximize socio-economic co-benefits.

The report analyzes the integration of methane abatement in sustainable finance taxonomies across five jurisdictions. It finds significant gaps in sectoral coverage, a tendency to prioritize usability over technical rigor, and a lack of specific, measurable criteria. To address these, the report provides a framework of best-practice measures for the energy, agriculture, waste, and wastewater sectors.

This executive summary outlines evidence-based criteria and best-practice measures to help policymakers and taxonomy developers integrate methane reduction into sustainable finance frameworks. It identifies four key sectors for mitigation—energy, agriculture, solid waste, and wastewater—and provides specific technical benchmarks, such as lifecycle GHG emission thresholds for bioenergy and leak detection and repair (LDAR) requirements. The goal is to increase the flow of capital toward cost-effective methane abatement, which currently falls short of the estimated USD 48 billion annual requirement through 2030.