Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines South Africa's role as chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) starting in October 2017. It argues that while South Africa has set thematic priorities in maritime security and the Blue Economy, its most significant potential legacy lies in driving institutional and procedural reforms to increase the organization's openness, transparency, and inclusivity for researchers and non-governmental stakeholders.

This policy briefing argues that information and communications technology (ICT) can address systemic challenges in small-scale fisheries (SSFs), particularly in developing nations, by improving data collection and connecting fragmented actors across the value chain. It highlights the ABALOBI initiative in South Africa as a model for bottom-up, co-developed ICT tools that empower fishers and enhance governance.

This policy brief examines the impact of seismic surveys used in oil and gas exploration on marine fauna, specifically within South Africa. It argues that current mitigation guidelines, which are often based on the UK's JNCC standards and developed by the companies conducting the surveys, are insufficient. The author recommends the establishment of an independent regulatory board to create country-specific, science-based legislative frameworks to protect biodiversity and maintain environmental integrity as South Africa expands its ocean economy through Operation Phakisa.

This policy brief evaluates the African Union's (AU) 2017 theme, 'Harnessing the Demographic Dividend Through Investments in Youth.' While acknowledging the existence of frameworks like the African Youth Charter and initiatives such as the YouthConnekt Africa Summit, the authors argue that significant gaps remain in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of youth policies. The paper emphasizes that the AU lacks the power to enforce policies on member states, making the domestication of regional instruments into national law essential for meaningful youth empowerment and political inclusion.

This research report assesses the impact of including two coal-fired independent power producer (IPP) projects—Thabametsi and Khanyisa—in South Africa's electricity system from 2022 to 2052. Using the South African Times Model (SATIM), the study finds that these plants are not necessary to meet demand and would increase both total system costs and greenhouse gas emissions across all analysed scenarios, potentially offsetting national energy efficiency and carbon tax mitigation efforts.

This research report assesses the impact of including two coal-fired independent power producer (IPP) projects—Thabametsi and Khanyisa—in South Africa's electricity system from 2022 to 2052. Using the South African Times Model (SATIM), the study finds that these plants are not necessary to meet demand and would increase both total system costs and greenhouse gas emissions across all analyzed scenarios, potentially offsetting national energy efficiency and carbon tax mitigation efforts.

Southern Africa faces a significant energy crisis, with 68% of SADC residents lacking electricity and a power mix heavily dependent on coal. The document argues that universal energy access (SDG 7) requires overcoming investment barriers through a combination of regional cooperation to manage hydropower via the Southern African Power Pool and the deployment of decentralized mini- and micro-grids in rural areas.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a statement to the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs on May 22, 2018, opposing the approval of coal-fired Independent Power Producers (IPPs), specifically Thabametsi and Khanyisa. The CER argues that these projects are unnecessary, economically damaging, and environmentally catastrophic, citing high greenhouse gas emissions, water scarcity, and air pollution in priority areas.

This research paper examines the implications of the United States' unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) from an African and South African perspective, highlighting the deterioration of international cooperation and the increased risk of nuclear proliferation.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) criticizes the South African Department of Labour for undermining the National Minimum Wage (NMW) package through its conduct in Parliament. The IEJ alleges that the department ignored decisions from the Parliamentary Labour Portfolio Committee and the February 2017 Nedlac agreement, specifically by weakening the independence of the NMW commission, failing to guarantee annual wage increases, and introducing employer-led exemption applications.

This document is an Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) prepared by SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd for Mineral Sands Resources (Pty) Ltd (MSR). It is part of a Section 24G application under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) to rectify unlawful activities at the Tormin Mine, specifically the unauthorized expansion of a processing area and the construction of a process water dam.

The May 2018 Peace & Security Council Report examines several African Union (AU) initiatives and regional challenges, including the FemWise-Africa network for women mediators, the proposed AU Humanitarian Agency, the protocol on free movement of people, and the political situation in Liberia and the Horn of Africa. It also features an interview regarding the transformation of the NEPAD Agency into the AU Development Agency.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the progress of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance eleven years after its inception. The author argues that while there are normative commitments to democratic consolidation, many African states remain trapped in an 'electoral fallacy' where regular elections occur but democratic governance is not entrenched across institutions. The document identifies internal and external pressures—including the rise of authoritarian models and the prioritization of counter-terrorism over democratic norms—that contribute to democratic deconsolidation.

This document provides an overview of climate and energy policies adopted since July 2017 across 25 major emitting countries and regions, supplementing a 2017 report on projected greenhouse gas emissions for 2030.

This text is a summary of a chapter by Ivor Chipkin within a larger playbook titled 'Rising to the Populist Challenge' by Dejusticia. It examines the role of civil society in South Africa in resisting the 'tyrannical' governance of the African National Congress (ANC) under former president Jacob Zuma.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a formal response to the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs regarding the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill [B14-2017], providing a table of proposed amendments and requesting an oral presentation at public hearings.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting for groundWork and Earthlife Africa, submitted comments on April 19, 2018, regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and Waste Management Licence (WML) Variation Application for the Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) Retrofit Project at Medupi Power Station. The CER argues that Eskom has adopted a 'piecemeal approach' to the environmental impact assessment (EIA), deferring critical issues such as water security, waste minimisation, and health impacts to separate processes to 'fast track' the project. The submission specifically challenges the rejection of inlet gas cooler technology, which could reduce water consumption by approximately 30%, and criticizes the plan to co-dispose of gypsum and ash, which would destroy the commercial value of the gypsum.

This research paper examines the development of the macadamia nut value chain in Southern Africa, specifically focusing on South Africa, Mozambique, and Malawi, and explores strategies for integrating smallholder producers into the industry.

This report details a workshop held on 19 April 2018 at the National Assembly in Windhoek, Namibia. Organised by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) as part of the APRM Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN), the event aimed to educate over 50 members of parliament (MPs) and staff on the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the role of parliament in the review process following Namibia's accession to the mechanism in January 2017.

This policy brief, produced for the SEI-led project "Private Sector Finance for NDC Implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa" (PRINDCISSA), examines the role of the private sector in financing climate change mitigation in Sub-Saharan Africa. It focuses on financial instruments backed by the UNFCCC and a specific national programme in South Africa to determine how the public sector can most efficiently incentivise private investment to meet nationally determined contributions (NDCs).