Search Climate Insights Directory

This executive summary details research by the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) and the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) into the soap, detergent, and cosmetics value chains of South Africa and Zambia. The document compares the industrial maturity and competitiveness of both nations, identifies barriers to growth for small and local firms, and proposes strategic interventions to increase regional production and reduce import reliance.

This case study analyzes the forestry value chain in South Africa, Mozambique, and Tanzania to identify opportunities for regional integration and growth. It highlights the structural differences between South Africa's plantation-dominated sector and the natural forest resources of Mozambique and Tanzania, while proposing regional policy initiatives to improve data, skills, and community participation.

This research paper examines agro-processing value chains across five SADC countries—South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mauritius—to propose policies for regional industrialization and climate change adaptation, with a specific focus on the sugar and soya sectors.

This report, authored by Dr. Ranajit Sahu and published by the Centre for Environmental Rights, analyzes emissions monitoring data from Eskom power stations between April 2016 and December 2017. The study identifies thousands of exceedances of Atmospheric Emission License (AEL) limits for particulate matter (PM), sulfur oxides (SO2), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), attributing these failures in part to a lack of modern pollution control technologies and unreliable reporting practices.

This report by Carbon Trust Assurance Limited provides a pre-issuance verification of Nedbank Limited's Sustainable Development Goals Issuance Framework and Guideline for Sustainable Asset Selection. The assessment confirms that the proposed green bond, intended to finance wind and solar energy projects in South Africa, conforms to the pre-issuance requirements of the Climate Bonds Standard Version 2.1.

This report projects that Eskom's planned non-compliance with South Africa's Minimum Emission Standards (MES) would lead to an estimated 16,000 avoidable premature deaths and significant excess emissions of SO2, NOx, particulate matter, and mercury. The health impacts are particularly acute in the Gauteng region, where 3,100 premature deaths could be avoided through full compliance. The analysis also highlights that mercury deposition would exceed health risk thresholds over 89,000km², affecting 3.4 million people.

This research paper evaluates the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), detailing its establishment in 2003 to improve governance through voluntary peer review. It describes a cycle of initial success, a period of decline between 2008 and 2016 characterized by leadership vacuums and financial mismanagement, and a recent phase of reinvigoration under the leadership of Professor Eddy Maloka and various African heads of state. While the mechanism has expanded its mandate to track Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals, the author argues that political reluctance to publish critical reports and a lack of high-level attendance continue to hinder its effectiveness.

A statement by Natural Justice and the Legal Resources Centre regarding a United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution aimed at promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in environmental governance.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines the objectives and expected outcomes of the 4th Session of the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA-4). The session focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, aiming to address unsustainable consumption and production patterns to support the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

A formal submission by the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA) and groundWork (gW) objecting to ArcelorMittal South Africa's (AMSA) application for postponements and alternative emission standards at its Vanderbijlpark Works facility.

A letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to the Minister of Environmental Affairs demanding the withdrawal of an amendment to the List of Activities that weakened sulphur dioxide minimum emission standards for existing plants.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, wrote to South Africa's Minister of Energy to object to the use of the term "clean coal" in government statements. The letter argues that "clean coal" is a myth and that the only sustainable path is a phase-out of coal in favor of renewable energy to meet climate targets and ensure a just transition.

The report 'Bùng nổ và thoái trào 2019' by Global Energy Monitor, Sierra Club, and Greenpeace analyzes global coal power plant trends in 2018. It highlights a general decline in new coal capacity, particularly in India and China, while noting a resurgence of construction in China due to the reactivation of previously frozen projects. The report also details the record-high closure of coal plants in the US and the growth of renewable energy in India and Vietnam.

The 'Boom and Bust 2019' report by Global Energy Monitor, Sierra Club, and Greenpeace tracks the global coal plant pipeline, noting a general decline in construction starts, pre-construction activity, and plant completions in 2018. While global trends show a shrinking pipeline and record retirements, China remains a significant exception due to the resumption of previously shelved projects and industry proposals for continued expansion.

This March 2019 report by Global Energy Monitor, Sierra Club, and Greenpeace analyzes global trends in coal-fired power plant capacity. It highlights a general decline in new construction and pre-construction activities, alongside record retirements, while noting that China remains a significant outlier due to the resumption of previously suspended projects and its role as a primary financier of coal infrastructure globally.

This March 2019 report by Global Energy Monitor, the Sierra Club, and Greenpeace analyzes global coal power plant trends, highlighting a general decline in new construction and planning, contrasted by specific policy shifts in China and continued development in Southeast Asia.

This report analyzes local procurement policies (LCPs) in the mining sector, examining how governments can increase the purchase of goods and services from domestic suppliers to foster industrial development and economic diversification. It details various ways to define "local"—through geography, value addition, or ownership—and evaluates demand-side and supply-side policy instruments, ranging from mandated percentages and targeted lists to supplier development programs and access to finance. The document emphasizes that LCPs are most effective when supported by a conducive business climate, reliable data, and complementary capacity-building measures for local firms.

This research paper examines the energy cooperation between Russia and South Africa within the BRICS framework, analyzing Russia's strategic pivot toward emerging markets and South Africa's shift from a failed large-scale nuclear deal toward renewable energy projects.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Energy Research Centre examines the potential significant decline of coal production in South Africa over the next five to ten years and the requirements for ensuring a "just transition."

This 2013 case study by Tracy Ledger examines the origins of South Africa's energy crisis, focusing on the role of the state utility Eskom and the systemic failures that led to widespread power cuts and load shedding starting in 2007.