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This policy brief, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute in 2016, evaluates the performance of Lesotho's water management system and explores adaptation strategies to address water insecurity caused by climate change and urbanization. It specifically examines the trade-offs between the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), which exports water to South Africa, and the need for domestic, industrial, and agricultural water security within Lesotho.

Friends of the Earth Africa argues that the Paris draft agreement is insufficient to prevent catastrophic warming in Africa, fails to address climate debt or loss and damage, and promotes market-based mechanisms like REDD that facilitate land and water grabs.

This research paper analyzes three major Chinese foreign policy initiatives—the Maritime Silk Road, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and expanded UN peacekeeping contributions—and evaluates their implications for Africa and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The author argues that while China is increasing its infrastructure and security investments in Africa, particularly on the east coast, the continent remains secondary to China's strategic interests in Asia and Europe.

This policy brief, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs, provides recommendations to restore multilateral trade cooperation and the central role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) amidst a systemic crisis characterized by the failure of the Doha Round and the rise of Mega-Preferential Trade Arrangements (MPTAs).

This document is a manual produced by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) in December 2015 to comply with Section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA). It outlines the CER's role as a non-profit law clinic, identifies the Executive Director as the head for PAIA purposes, and details the procedures, fees, and categories of records available to the public for accessing information held by the organisation.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) analyzes the use of fiscal instruments within Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) submitted to the UNFCCC by November 20, 2015. The review identifies trends in how countries employ fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR), clean energy subsidies, and carbon pricing to support low-carbon development and GHG mitigation.

This report from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the activities and challenges of the African Union's (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) leading into 2016. It focuses on the AU's shifting emphasis toward human rights, the upcoming 2016 elections for the PSC and AU Commission, and the council's mixed success in managing conflicts in Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, and Burkina Faso. The document also explores the persistent linguistic divide between anglophone and francophone member states and the evolving partnership between the AU and the United Nations.

This research paper examines the threat of South Africa losing its agricultural benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) due to trade barriers on US exports, specifically poultry, beef, and pork. It analyzes the economic impact of potential suspension and suggests moving toward a negotiated bilateral trade agreement to ensure greater stability.

A report by the NewClimate Institute, supported by the Climate Action Network (CAN) and the Global Call for Climate Action (GCCA), examines the co-benefits of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and the potential benefits lost by not pursuing a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted comments on November 9, 2015, regarding draft regulations for determining administrative fines under section 22A of the National: Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (AQA). The CER argues that the draft regulations lack consistency with other environmental fine mechanisms and fail to provide for public participation, proposing specific amendments to the fine calculation and the inclusion of aggravating factors.

The report evaluates the EU-funded Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP) in Botswana, noting that while audit and training interventions helped SMMEs avoid collapse and increase profits, systemic issues remain. A micro-financing policy framework has stalled at the ministerial level, and a lack of affordable specialized training—particularly for sectors like baking—limits the ability of SMMEs to scale into regional value chains involving Namibia and Zambia.

This fact sheet provides an overview of the African Standby Force (ASF), its Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC), the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC), and the Amani Africa II field training exercise. It details the ASF's structure, mandate, funding challenges, and its relationship with other African Union (AU) peace and security mechanisms.

The report 'SIGNS OF HOPE?' by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) evaluates the implementation of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) regarding environmental records in South Africa from January 2010 to September 2015. It identifies a slow trend toward greater reactive disclosure by authorities and private companies, though proactive disclosure remains poor.

This research paper analyzes South Africa's political and economic engagements in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), arguing that South Africa must transition from a commercial focus to a comprehensive political and economic strategy to ensure stability and protect its investments.

This policy brief examines whether South Africa can utilize its role as co-chair of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to advance its global governance reform agenda. While South Africa seeks to align FOCAC with its broader goals of a just and equitable international order, the author argues that FOCAC is primarily a tool for Sino-African development diplomacy and is unlikely to replace or exceed the strategic global governance role of the BRICS bloc.

This research paper analyzes the economic constraints facing South Africa in the context of the #FeesMustFall student protests, specifically examining the 2015 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). It details the government's struggle with rising debt, low growth, and the competing financial demands of social spending, infrastructure, and energy security.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing various non-governmental and community organisations, submitted a request to the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs on 16 October 2015 to review and strengthen the National Dust Control Regulations. The CER argues that the current regulations are ineffective at alleviating fugitive dust emissions in mining and industrial areas, particularly due to an over-reliance on a 30-day monitoring average and the use of a 'crude' measurement method (ASTM D1739) that fails to protect human health.

The 2015 EIA Guideline for Renewable Energy Projects provides a legal and procedural framework for the development of wind, solar, hydro, and biomass energy in South Africa. It aims to streamline the environmental authorization process, integrating requirements from NEMA and other acts to support the country's transition toward a target of 17.8GWe of renewable capacity by 2030.

The research paper discusses the tension between state-to-state arbitration and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) within South Africa's foreign direct investment (FDI) protection regime, specifically regarding the Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill (PPIB).

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) discusses the October 2015 IMF Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the region's economic challenges and South Africa's specific vulnerabilities in growth, energy, and exports.