Search Climate Insights Directory
234 results
Scoping the future of SACU: a hundred years on
This research paper examines the existential challenges facing the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) as it marks its centenary. The author argues that the organization's survival depends on resolving internal dissonance regarding its revenue-sharing formula and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations with the European Union, while proposing a regional development fund to reduce the smaller member states' fiscal dependence on South Africa.
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Document type: Research paper
Beyond Barriers: The Gender Implications of Trade Liberalization in Southern Africa
The report argues that trade liberalization in Southern Africa has had mixed results for women, often failing to account for the informal economy where 70% of sub-Saharan African informal traders are women. It highlights that legal and institutional barriers are more restrictive than social norms and advocates for regional trade agreements (RTAs) to incorporate a 'gender perspective' and support informal cross-border trade rather than eradicating it.
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Document type: Report
South Africa’s Energy Security in the Context of Climate Change Mitigation
This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the tensions between South Africa's reliance on coal for energy security and its commitments to climate change mitigation. It analyzes the dominance of the state utility Eskom, the challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, and the potential for regional energy cooperation within Southern Africa to diversify the electricity supply mix.
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Document type: Report
The state of the region Security Sector Governance in Southern Africa
This workshop report, compiled by the Institute for Security Studies, documents a three-day conference held in March 2010 in Pretoria, South Africa. The event brought together regional experts, academics, and security practitioners to analyze the challenges of democratic security sector governance (SSG) and security sector reform (SSR) across Southern Africa, with specific case studies on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Botswana.
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Document type: Report
Information Needs for Climate Risk Management
This research paper by Molly Hellmuth explores the specific information requirements for climate risk management, categorizing decision-making into responsive, proactive, and robust frameworks. It argues that while these approaches have different horizons, they all rely on identifying vulnerabilities, hazards, and risks to improve development outcomes and resilience.
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Document type: Research paper
CRIME AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS IN AFRICA-ENHANCING HUMAN SECURITY
This summary report details a seminar held on November 4, 2009, organized by the African Human Security Initiative (AHSI) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). The event focused on the challenges facing criminal justice systems in Africa, with a particular emphasis on East Africa, including issues of police militarization, judicial inefficiency, and the lack of political will for systemic reform.
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Document type: Report
Micro-level analysis of farmers' adaptation to climate change in Southern Africa
This research paper analyzes farmer adaptation to climate change in South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It finds that access to credit, extension services, and climate awareness are key determinants of adaptation. The study recommends that governments improve access to markets and information, and invest in R&D for technologies such as irrigation and crop development to support farmers.
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Document type: Research paper
How Might Agriculture Develop in Southern Africa? Making Sense of Complexity
This report examines the complexities of agriculture and food security in Southern Africa, identifying key drivers such as the potential for increased investment, the role of supermarkets and cold chains, and the impact of climate mitigation policies in developed nations. It highlights the potential of Genetically Modified Organisms for 'climate proofing' crops and discusses the need for infrastructure investment and transparent land access terms for foreign entities. Additionally, it notes Malawi's use of input subsidies as a potential model for the region.
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Document type: Report
Climate Risk Impacts and Adaptation in Southern Africa
This seminar report details a presentation by Dr. Emma Archer and a response by Dr. Jakkie Cilliers on climate risk impacts and adaptation in Southern Africa. The event, hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in Pretoria on 22 June 2009, examined the vulnerability of sectors such as agriculture, water, and health, and discussed the role of governance and urbanization in mitigating climate-induced risks.
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Document type: Report
Prioritising Energy Security in Southern Africa
This research paper argues that Africa's energy security challenges stem from a reliance on nation-state planning, which limits energy source diversification and fails to attract sufficient investment due to small market sizes. The author advocates for deeper regional energy integration and the establishment of a regional energy regulator and a regional bourse to mobilize private capital, reduce risk, and harmonize energy policies, specifically within the context of Southern Africa.
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Document type: Research paper
Biomass, Livelihoods and International Trade: Challenges and Opportunities for the EU and Southern Africa
This report provides a stylized review of the relationships between biomass, livelihoods, and international trade, focusing specifically on the trade and technical cooperation axis between the European Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
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Document type: Report
ADDRESS BY THE HON. MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS, DR. RUHAKANA RUGUNDA
A speech delivered by Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Minister of Internal Affairs, at the launch of the EAPCCO-ISS Environmental Crime Project in Entebbe on July 30-31, 2008. The address outlines the scale of environmental crime in East Africa and the objectives of a new regional partnership to strengthen law enforcement capacity.
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Document type: Statement
What The Future Holds For Zimbabwe?
This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the political crisis in Zimbabwe surrounding the June 27, 2008, presidential run-off election, following the withdrawal of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. It details the widespread political violence and evaluates four potential scenarios for the country's future, concluding that a Mugabe victory is the most likely short-term outcome despite international condemnation.
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Document type: Briefing
What The Future Holds For Zimbabwe?
This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the political crisis in Zimbabwe surrounding the June 27, 2008, presidential run-off election, following the withdrawal of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
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Document type: Briefing
EFFECTIVE USE OF CLIMATE SCIENCE TO IMPROVE ADAPTATION IN AFRICA
This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute outlines recommendations to improve the use of climate science for 'anticipatory adaptation' in Africa. It emphasizes the need to bridge the gap between climate scientists and decision-makers, enhance local technical capacity for downscaling climate models, and leverage existing regional networks and platforms to manage climate change risks.
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Document type: Policy brief
SADC nails flag to polls
This research paper analyzes the 'SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections,' a code adopted by Southern African Development Community leaders on August 17 to establish regional rules for political contests and reduce conflicting verdicts between observer missions.
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Document type: Research paper
Growth Priorities for NEPAD
The report outlines a pro-growth agenda for Africa, emphasizing the need to prioritize infrastructure maintenance and growth-spurring programs over current consumption. It proposes specific reforms across legal systems, the business environment, and infrastructure to reverse economic marginalization.
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Document type: Report
Africa-China relations require reality check
A research paper analyzing the economic opportunities and risks for Southern Africa resulting from China's global emergence, highlighting a shift in South Africa's exports toward primary resources.
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Document type: Research paper
Civil Society Monitoring of the APRM
This report documents a scoping workshop held in April 2008 by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS). The workshop aimed to develop a framework for civil society organizations (CSOs) to monitor the implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and its National Programmes of Action (NPoA), specifically focusing on the creation of the APRM Monitoring and Advocacy Template (AMAT).
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Document type: Report
Non-Tariff Barriers to Trade in Southern Africa: Towards a Measurement Approach
This 2008 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines non-tariff barriers (NTBs) to trade in Southern Africa, specifically focusing on the road transport corridor between Durban and Gaborone. The study aims to develop a measurement approach for NTBs by quantifying direct and indirect costs—such as toll fees, fuel consumption from stop-start operations, and downtime—to determine their impact on supply chain costs and overall export competitiveness.
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Document type: Report