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This policy brief outlines six key actions to better integrate Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) holders into marine spatial planning (MSP) in South Africa. Based on a collaborative effort in Algoa Bay, the document argues that current ocean governance often neglects ILK and cultural heritage, recommending co-development of plans, increased transparency, improved data accessibility, and legislative alignment between the MSP Act and the Indigenous Knowledge Act.

The Water Tribunal of South Africa dismissed an appeal by Thungela Operations (Pty) Ltd against the Department of Water and Sanitation's decision to refuse a Water Use Licence (WUL) for the Palmietkuilen Mining Operation. The Tribunal found that the applicant failed to provide sufficient geohydrological and geochemical data to ensure effective long-term mitigation of water pollution, particularly regarding post-closure acid mine drainage (AMD) and the permanent loss of wetlands.

In a speech delivered at the South African Institute of International Affairs on 26 April 2023, President Sauli Niinistö of Finland addresses the intersection of global crises, including climate change, food insecurity, and the war in Ukraine. He emphasizes the necessity of international cooperation, the importance of a fair climate transition for Africa, and Finland's decision to join NATO in response to Russian aggression.

This submission, prepared by the Action for Accountability (A4A) project and the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI), provides comments and recommendations on the draft Public Service Regulations (GG No. 48104 dated 24 February 2023) which seek to amend the 2016 Public Service Regulations. The authors argue that South Africa is facing an "accountability crisis" and suggest various amendments to ensure the regulations align with the National Framework towards the Implementation of Professionalisation of the Public Sector and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS).

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity source trends in 2022, detailing the growth of renewables like solar and wind, the continued dominance and record highs of coal, and the fluctuations in hydro, nuclear, gas, and bioenergy generation. It compares current trends against the IEA Net Zero Emissions scenario to highlight the growth rates required to limit global warming to 1.5C.

A joint statement by the Universal Basic Income Coalition criticizing the Department of Social Development and National Treasury for failing to address systemic barriers and insufficient funding in the amended COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant Regulations.

This research paper examines the evolution of German-African energy relations, tracing the shift from a primary focus on development cooperation and energy poverty to a more complex framework involving energy diplomacy, technology-driven cooperation, and strategic geopolitical interests. The author analyzes the tensions between 'green' and 'fossilist' objectives, the risks associated with the roll-out of hydrogen diplomacy, and the trend toward the financialization of development through multi-stakeholder partnerships.

This statement, submitted by the Life after Coal Campaign (LAC) and the Fair Finance Coalition Southern Africa (FFCSA) to the Presidential Climate Commission, provides critical comments on South Africa's Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP). The authors argue that the plan is overly skewed toward private sector interests and large-scale infrastructure, specifically green hydrogen, while neglecting social ownership models, local manufacturing, and the urgent needs of coal-affected communities.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and its partners analyzes the global state of coal-fired power plants as of April 2023. It highlights a stark divergence between China, where coal capacity is expanding rapidly, and the rest of the world, where new projects are declining. While the report notes that the 'return of coal' in Europe due to the energy crisis was minimal, it emphasizes that current retirement rates are insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals, particularly in non-OECD countries.

This document is a Korean translation of excerpts from the 'Boom Bust Coal 2023' report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) and its partners. It analyzes global coal power trends in 2022, highlighting a divergence between a general global decline in coal expansion and a significant surge in China's coal capacity. The report also provides a detailed critique of South Korea's coal phase-out plans, financial risks associated with coal dependency, and the need for a 'just transition' for affected regions.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and its partners analyzes the state of global coal-fired power generation as of April 2023. It details a diverging trend where coal capacity is declining in most of the world—particularly in the US and EU—while China continues a massive expansion of new plants. The document evaluates the alignment of national commitments with the Paris Agreement and provides regional updates on coal phase-outs and new developments, with a specific focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.

This report, published by Global Energy Monitor and several partner organizations, analyzes the state of global coal-fired power plants as of April 2023. It highlights a divergence between China, where coal capacity is expanding rapidly, and the rest of the world, where development is generally declining. While the report notes that the end of coal is approaching globally, it warns that the current pace of phase-out is insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals, particularly in non-OECD countries.

A press statement issued by the Procurement Reform Working Group (PRWG) and various civil society organisations expressing alarm over new electricity disaster management regulations in South Africa, arguing that vague emergency procurement provisions risk enabling corruption and looting.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the 20-year history of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It details the mechanism's evolution from its 2003 inception to its current status as an AU-incorporated body with 43 member states, while highlighting systemic failures in implementation, slow review throughput, and the limited impact of its recommendations on overall continental governance.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, submitted a formal objection to the South African government regarding Eskom's proposal to use temporary bypass stacks at the Kusile coal-fired power station. This proposal would allow units 1-3 to operate without flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) pollution abatement equipment following a flue duct collapse in October 2022. The CER argues that the bypass would cause significant health damage and constitutional violations, suggesting instead that funds be redirected toward solar PV and wind energy to accelerate the coal phase-out.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) express concern that proposed amendments to the 2022 Regulations for the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant only address the expiry date, failing to resolve issues regarding beneficiary exclusion, the low means test, and the inadequate grant value.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) submitted a critique of the proposed amendments to the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant regulations. They argue that the amendments are insufficient as they only extend the grant's expiry date to March 2024 without addressing systemic issues such as the inadequate grant value, exclusionary verification processes, digital barriers to application, and a restrictive budget cap.

This briefing summarizes a submission by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) regarding the 2023 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals. The IEJ argues that the current macroeconomic framework prioritizes debt stabilization over human rights and service delivery, characterizing the 2023 Budget as "anti-poor" due to austerity measures and a lack of progressive taxation to address poverty and inequality.

The Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) is a plurilateral WTO initiative involving over 110 members aimed at increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) through improved transparency and streamlined administration. While significant progress has been made on 'clean text' regarding publication requirements and administrative efficiency, key disputes remain over the scope of the agreement (FDI vs. portfolio investment), the establishment of a funding facility, and the legal architecture for its integration into the WTO rulebook. The agreement includes special and differential treatment for developing countries and LDCs, though some members, including India and South Africa, oppose the plurilateral process.

This guide provides strategies for Project Preparation Facilities (PPFs) to help small and intermediary cities—defined as those with 10,000 to 200,000 residents—access climate finance. It addresses critical barriers such as limited municipal capacity, small project sizes that deter investors, and poor creditworthiness, which prevents borrowing on commercial terms. The document recommends tailored PPF interventions, including specific calls for proposals, project aggregation models, blended finance, and community-based funding instruments to unlock investment for low-carbon and resilient infrastructure.