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This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how fossil-fuel subsidies act as a barrier to the deployment of renewable electricity. It argues that these subsidies impair the cost competitiveness of renewables, reinforce the dominance of incumbent fossil-fuel systems, and distort investment decisions. The document advocates for fossil-fuel subsidy reform and the pricing of environmental externalities to create a more sustainable energy system.

The November 2014 issue of the Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report details the African Union's (AU) interventions in Burkina Faso, its monitoring of various African elections, and its strategic focus on state fragility. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of the Ebola epidemic's impact on socio-political stability in West Africa and the international community's response.

The September 2014 Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies details the African Union's (AU) response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the transition of peacekeeping forces in the Central African Republic, the escalating civil conflict in Libya, and the failing peace process and imminent famine in South Sudan.

This research paper by Ivan Crouzel, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in August 2014, examines the relationship between electoral processes and political instability in Africa. It argues that elections often become critical moments of tension because they are primarily viewed as a means of accessing state resources. The author advocates for a shift from purely technical electoral support to a broader approach based on inclusive political settlements, multi-actor dialogue, and the strengthening of credible electoral management bodies and domestic observation networks to ensure legitimacy and peace.

This research paper by Ivan Crouzel for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the relationship between electoral processes and political instability in Africa. It argues that elections often crystallise tensions because they are viewed as the primary means of accessing state-owned resources, leading to acute competition in fragile regimes. The author contends that technical electoral support is insufficient and must be replaced by a broader democratic governance approach that prioritises inclusive political agreements, credible election management bodies (EMBs), and multi-stakeholder conflict prevention mechanisms.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies warns that cybercriminals use major events like the 2014 World Cup to deploy phishing scams, malware, and fraudulent apps. It argues that African governments must implement comprehensive public awareness campaigns to protect citizens, citing a lack of cybercrime laws and rapid internet growth as factors making the continent a potential 'safe harbour' for cybercrime.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development reviews the role, composition, and effectiveness of National Councils for Sustainable Development (NCSDs) over the past 25 years. It identifies success factors for these bodies as countries prepare to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

The June 2013 Peace and Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides detailed analysis of security crises in Somalia and Mali, evaluates the outcomes of the May 2013 AU Summit, and identifies early warning issues across Africa.

This situation report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the mobilisation of private sector finance for climate change mitigation and adaptation, with a particular focus on developing countries and the role of the Green Climate Fund.

This document consists of several distinct text fragments. The primary section is an introduction to a report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development that compares climate change vulnerability assessments (VAs) in Tunisia and Indonesia using a four-component framework (Framing, Process, Inputs, and Outputs). Additional fragments discuss nature-based solutions for road resilience in Indonesia and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), a $20 billion financing mechanism aimed at accelerating the retirement of coal plants and the development of renewable energy in Indonesia and South Africa.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the role of African states in the international nuclear security agenda, specifically in the context of the Nuclear Security Summit process and the 2013 IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Security. It argues for increased African engagement and cooperation to balance the peaceful use of nuclear technology with security requirements.

This briefing is a concept note for a conference titled "The APRM +10: Reviewing a Decade of Peer Learning and Projecting a Future of Governance in Africa," scheduled for May 17–18, 2013, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event aims to bring together African civil society organisations (CSOs) and governance structures to appraise the first ten years of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and plan for its second decade.

This 2012 report by the Climate Policy Initiative examines how public policies and financial injections can mitigate risks to attract private investment in green infrastructure. Through case studies in the UK, Tunisia, and Morocco, it argues that well-articulated policies and innovative risk-mitigation instruments (like first-loss protection and policy risk insurance) are essential to overcome the inertia of 'plain vanilla finance.' The report highlights the critical role of National Development Banks in emerging economies, noting that China, Brazil, and India were the largest recipients of mitigation-directed climate finance in 2011.

The Prosol program in Tunisia successfully scaled the adoption of solar water heaters (SWHs) by combining capital subsidies, concessional credit, and a strategic risk-sharing mechanism. Between 2005 and 2010, it leveraged USD 24.2 million in public funds to attract USD 110 million in private investment, installing approximately 119,000 systems. A critical success factor was the involvement of the state utility, STEG, which acted as a debt collector and guarantor, reducing credit risk for commercial banks and lowering interest rates for households. The program not only reduced CO2 emissions by 715 Kt over the systems' lifespans but also generated a net fiscal gain for the Tunisian government by reducing fossil fuel subsidy expenditures by an estimated USD 101 million over the long term.

The Annual Partner Survey 2011-2012 report details the results of a voluntary survey conducted by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in late 2011. The survey gathered feedback from 202 participants—including NGOs, individual consultants, and research institutes—regarding the quality of CDKN's products, its effectiveness in knowledge sharing and partnership facilitation, and its overall influence on organizational practices and policies.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the internal, regional, and international security implications following the death of Muammar Gaddafi on 20 October 2011. It examines the challenges facing the National Transitional Council (NTC) in managing armed militias and oil revenues, the risk of arms proliferation across the Sahel and Maghreb, and the geopolitical opportunities for South Africa and the African Union (AU) to influence the transition and strengthen regional security mechanisms.

This statement by the Institute for Security Studies argues that African Union (AU) member states should adopt a positive approach toward the International Criminal Court (ICC) during the 17th Ordinary Session of Heads of State. The author contends that while some states express misgivings about the court's focus on Africa, the ICC remains a vital tool for ending impunity where national systems fail, and that AU decisions shielding leaders from arrest undermine the international rule of law.

The June 2011 PSC Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analysis on security crises in South Sudan, Uganda, and Madagascar, alongside a retrospective on African border disputes and an examination of drug trafficking in West Africa.

This May 2011 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analysis and country updates for the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC). It focuses on political transitions and instability in Djibouti, Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya, while also reviewing the PSC's efforts to protect women and children in armed conflicts.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the African Union's (AU) principle of rejecting unconstitutional changes of government. It analyzes the 'democrat's dilemma'—the tension between maintaining constitutional order and supporting popular uprisings against authoritarian regimes—specifically in the context of the 2011 Maghreb revolutions.