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This policy brief by WWF South Africa examines the intersection of the Just Energy Transition (JET) and the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus. It argues that South Africa's pursuit of a low-carbon economy is hindered by policy incoherence, where energy, water, and food security goals are pursued in isolation. The document identifies institutional silos, political contestation from the coal lobby, and budget cuts to environmental agencies as primary barriers to achieving a sustainable and equitable transition.

A joint submission by the Alternative Information Development Center (AIDC) and the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ), supported by Tax Justice Network Africa and the #StopTheBleeding Campaign, providing comments on South Africa's Draft Global Minimum Tax Bill. While the authors ultimately oppose the implementation of the OECD's GloBE rules due to concerns over revenue potential, democratic legitimacy, and the erosion of tax sovereignty for the Global South, they offer specific proposals to maximize resource mobilization should the Bill proceed.

Natural Justice submitted a critique of South Africa's Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP2023), arguing that it lacks the necessary foundations for energy planning through 2030. The organization calls for a redraft of the IRP2023 and the urgent development of an Integrated Energy Plan by the DMRE, both of which should be grounded in a people-centered approach and a comprehensive Energy Justice Framework.

This executive summary outlines the findings of a survey comparing foreign policy perspectives between Germany and the IBSA countries (India, Brazil, and South Africa). It highlights divergent views on the war in Ukraine, the dominance of the US dollar, and the role of BRICS+, while identifying shared hopes for the G20 and a mutual desire for UN Security Council reform.

The Institute for Economic Justice and partner organizations criticize a R20 monthly increase to the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant starting 1 April, arguing it fails to address inflation, food precarity, and systemic exclusion of eligible beneficiaries.

This research paper analyzes the tension in German foreign policy between corporate profit interests and value-based rhetoric, specifically regarding trade and investment in Africa. The author argues that Germany is shifting from a broad 'exportist' geoeconomic approach toward a more selective strategy focused on risk mitigation and the securing of critical resources, such as LNG and minerals, while urging a transition toward supporting African economic self-determination and regional industrialization.

This report examines the methodologies and challenges of monitoring Green Public Procurement (GPP), with a specific focus on tracking reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It analyzes practices in six countries and provides recommendations for governments to improve monitoring systems to support climate and sustainable development goals.

The document discusses the role of established and emergent gas producers in Africa, noting the potential for revenue growth due to global supply constraints caused by the war in Ukraine, while warning of the high risk of stranded assets as the world moves toward net-zero emissions.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and #PayTheGrants (#PTG) submitted a response to the draft amendments of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant regulations on 7 March 2024. The submission argues that the proposed regulations fail to meet government commitments to improve the grant, risk increasing exclusion errors, and introduce punitive measures that unfairly penalize vulnerable beneficiaries.

This research paper evaluates the outcomes of the Thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) regarding the intersection of climate and trade policy. The authors argue that while the conference was largely disappointing due to a lack of binding multilateral agreements and opposition from key members like India, there is still value in utilizing the WTO as a diplomatic forum to coordinate non-binding instruments and revitalize deliberative functions such as the Committee on Trade and Environment.

The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) welcomes the Public Service Amendment Bill for shifting HR and administrative authority to departmental heads and banning senior public servants from political office. However, PARI contends the Bill does not fully implement the 2022 Professionalisation Framework and fails to sufficiently prevent political corruption in the appointment of Heads of Department (HoDs).

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) has released its Strategy Summary & Implementation Plan for 2023–2027, which outlines a framework to achieve systemic social and economic change. The strategy focuses on producing critical knowledge, shifting economic discourse, and supporting collective power to advance economic justice in South Africa and across the African continent, with a specific emphasis on feminist and intersectional analytical lenses.

This report, produced by the Civil Society Working Group on State Capture (CSWG), provides a collective reflection on the findings and recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture (the Zondo Commission). It evaluates the Commission's successes and failures, critiques the South African executive's response to the findings, and proposes specific legislative and institutional reforms to prevent future state capture and ensure accountability for corrupt actors.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of the Life After Coal (LAC) coalition, submitted comments on the Gas Amendment Bill [B – 2023], arguing that accelerating gas infrastructure is irrational given the climate emergency and South Africa's extreme vulnerability to climate change. The submission criticizes the Bill for inadequate public consultation processes, lack of transparency regarding confidential information, and a failure to align with international climate targets such as the IPCC's 1.5°C benchmark.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) submitted a report to the South African Parliament on February 26, 2024, criticizing the 2024 Budget for continuing a decade of austerity and budget cuts. The IEJ argues that the National Treasury's focus on debt stabilization and primary budget surpluses sacrifices public services and long-term economic growth, recommending instead a human-rights based fiscal approach with increased spending on social grants, public employment, and infrastructure.

This policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues that the South African government has failed to mobilise the maximum available resources (MAR), leading to unnecessary budget cuts in social services. It proposes a shift toward proactive resource mobilisation through tax reforms, debt renegotiation, and the use of reserves to ensure socioeconomic obligations are met.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) criticizes the 2024 South African National Budget for prioritizing debt stabilization and budget cuts over essential public services and economic growth. The IEJ highlights a projected 23% decrease in real non-interest expenditure per capita by 2026/27 and argues that the government is ignoring viable revenue sources, such as wealth and financial transaction taxes. The statement notes that social grants, including the SRD grant, are failing to keep pace with inflation and that spending on healthcare, education, and economic drivers is declining. Furthermore, the IEJ warns against the government's heavy reliance on Private-Public Partnerships for infrastructure and electricity, citing increased fiscal risks and potential environmental damage.

The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) submitted comments to the National Council of Provinces regarding the Public Procurement Bill 2023, arguing that the Bill fails to resolve existing legislative fragmentation and introduces new ambiguities, particularly concerning preferential procurement.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs provides a framework for South Africa's energy transition by 2050, advocating for a shift from growth-centric economic models toward 'Regenerative Prosperity' and sustainable resource management.

The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) and The Ethics Institute provide a submission on the Public Service Commission (PSC) Bill 2023, supporting its goal to enhance the impartiality and independence of the PSC and its role regarding public entities and local government, while identifying gaps regarding appointment processes for the PSC head and senior administrative staff.