Search Climate Insights Directory

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the potential for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and Mercosur. It argues that while static economic gains from tariff reduction are limited and may reinforce South Africa's reliance on primary product exports, significant dynamic opportunities exist through intra-industry specialization, institutional collaboration, and the disciplining of dominant domestic firms to benefit downstream manufacturing.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes India's approach to international trade, arguing that its reluctance to enter binding trade agreements is rooted in a domestic political culture of self-sufficiency and a government-driven (rather than business-driven) policymaking process. The author examines how these internal dynamics and the lack of institutional capacity may result in a 'commercially shallow' free trade agreement (FTA) between India and South Africa, prioritizing political alliances over economic integration.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the incidence, magnitude, and control of money laundering in Southern Africa. It analyzes predicate crimes—primarily drug trafficking and corruption—the role of informal remittance systems, and the legislative and institutional challenges facing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in implementing anti-money laundering frameworks.

This report evaluates the legislative and institutional capacity of several East and Southern African countries—specifically Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, and Malawi—to detect and control money laundering and terrorist financing. It identifies systemic weaknesses, including a lack of dedicated anti-money laundering (AML) laws in some states, poor inter-agency cooperation, and the vulnerability of both formal and informal financial sectors to the laundering of proceeds from corruption, drug trafficking, and organized crime.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes how the expansion of the European Union (EU) from 15 to 25 members affects South Africa's trade strategy. It examines the internal dynamics of the EU, specifically regarding agricultural policy and budgetary pressures, and provides strategic recommendations for South Africa's engagement with the WTO, the US, and regional African integration.

The research paper critiques the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad), arguing that it has remained a forum for discussion and 'soft tools of persuasion' rather than a driver of tangible policy change. It highlights the failure of the 2002 Kananaskis G8 summit to secure increased aid and criticizes Nepad's general sectoral strategies and reliance on weak regional bodies. The author concludes that Nepad must pivot toward becoming a research-driven think-tank, focusing its limited resources on the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to enforce rigorous governance standards.

This research paper, presented by Maj Gen C. Gagiano to the South African Air Force in 2004, examines the application of air power within the asymmetric security landscape of 21st-century Africa. It argues for a shift in air power doctrine from a technology-driven focus on air superiority and destruction toward a holistic approach that emphasizes mobility, surveillance, and the human dimensions of conflict to promote regional security.

This research paper examines the legal landscape in South Africa regarding the prosecution of human trafficking for sexual exploitation. It analyzes whether existing common law, statutory laws, and constitutional provisions are sufficient to address trafficking or if specialized legislation is required.

Published in 2004, this strategy outlines South Africa's approach to climate change, prioritizing sustainable development and poverty alleviation. It identifies critical vulnerabilities in agriculture, water, and biodiversity, and proposes a coordinated government response involving mitigation in the energy and industrial sectors and adaptation in rural and health sectors.

This research paper evaluates the effectiveness of the national and provincial secretariats for Safety and Security in South Africa ten years after their 1995 establishment. The study finds that while provincial secretariats perform various monitoring and coordination roles, they suffer from a lack of national vision, poor coordination, and a failure to fully utilize their legislative powers. The national secretariat is described as significantly diminished in role and capacity, often acting merely as an advisory body to the Minister of Safety and Security.

This research paper examines the motivations, impacts, and competitiveness of South African business investment across Africa, while discussing the potential and pitfalls of regulating such investment behavior to address regional sensitivities and corruption.

The provided text is the table of contents for the 'National Victims of Crime Survey South Africa 2003' (Monograph No 101), published by the Institute for Security Studies in July 2004. It outlines the report's structure, including sections on research methodology, demographics, public perceptions of crime and safety, perceptions of the criminal justice system, and victimisation rates for 2003 compared to 1998.

The 2003 National Victims of Crime Survey in South Africa, conducted by the Institute for Security Studies, provides a comprehensive analysis of crime levels, public perceptions of safety, and the performance of the criminal justice system. The survey indicates a slight decline in overall victimisation rates compared to 1998, though housebreaking increased. It highlights a significant gap between public perceptions—which often overestimate the prevalence of violent crime—and the reality of non-violent property crime. The report also documents widespread petty corruption, declining feelings of safety, and a reliance on state protection despite mixed views on police and court performance.

This 2004 policy paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that the rapid growth of global aviation is unsustainable due to its significant contribution to climate change and local pollution. It highlights that aviation's radiative forcing makes its emissions three times more damaging than ground-level CO2 and criticizes government subsidies that artificially stimulate demand. The report recommends a shift toward demand management, including the internalisation of external costs, shifting short-haul passengers to rail, and implementing strict noise and emission limits at airports.

This report from the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details activities from July 2003 to June 2004. It focuses on implementing six strategic goals related to research network growth, scientific agenda definition, capacity building in scientifically weaker countries, knowledge synthesis, dissemination of results, and increasing the institute's institutional profile.

A 2004 government notice designating the Petroleum Agency South Africa (Proprietary) Limited to perform functions under Chapter 6 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002, and other petroleum-related duties as determined by the Minister of Minerals and Energy.

The author argues that crime prevention in South Africa is often stalled by a dichotomy between long-term social regeneration and short-term law enforcement. The paper proposes a third way: using municipal by-laws to target 'those with something to lose'—such as property owners and business licensees—to disrupt the unregulated environments that enable urban crime, rather than relying solely on the police to address deep-seated social inequalities.

The report 'NUMBERS THAT COUNT' examines the deficiencies in the South African Police Service's (SAPS) systems for recording and reporting police misconduct, the use of force, torture, and corruption. It argues that unreliable data undermines public accountability and internal management, calling for the SAPS to develop comprehensive indicators and report them transparently in annual reports to Parliament.

This research paper examines the challenges faced by lower court magistrates in South Africa when applying the Domestic Violence Act (DVA), specifically regarding protection orders. It highlights significant inconsistencies in judicial interpretation concerning the removal of abusers from shared homes, the granting of emergency monetary relief, and the regulation of contact between respondents and children.

A statement from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) regarding the Political Dialogue Project in Burundi, detailing the project's funding, objectives, and the role of consultant Jan van Eck in facilitating peace and reconciliation.