Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of safeguards and the pursuit of 'multiple benefits' within the REDD+ mechanism established by the Cancun Agreements. It explores how safeguard systems can move beyond a 'do no harm' approach to actively promote sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and biodiversity conservation. The document analyzes various international safeguard standards, reviews how developing countries are integrating these into their Readiness Preparation Proposals (R-PPs), and discusses the institutional and financial challenges of creating a transparent information-sharing system for monitoring compliance.

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.

This report by Friends of the Earth International documents various community-led struggles and successes in maintaining biodiversity and food sovereignty across different global territories. It highlights the conflict between industrial agricultural models—characterized by monocultures, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and land grabbing—and traditional, agroecological practices that respect natural cycles and ancestral knowledge.

This policy briefing evaluates Uganda's preparedness for managing oil revenues following the discovery of approximately 2.5 billion barrels of oil. The author argues that while there are high expectations for economic prosperity, Uganda lacks the necessary legal, institutional, and transparency frameworks to avoid the 'resource curse'. The document highlights gaps in the Petroleum Bill of 2010, restrictions on access to information, and the failure to establish institutions mandated by the 2008 Oil and Gas Policy.

This research paper examines the marginalisation of the environmental sector in Uganda, highlighting the disconnect between the economic reliance of the rural population on natural resources and the lack of budgetary support for their preservation. It details the rapid loss of forests and wetlands, the drivers of deforestation, and the resulting social conflicts arising from 'degazetting' protected lands for industrial and agricultural use.

This research paper by Ruchita Beri for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the evolution of India's relations with African nations. It analyzes the transition from an early policy based on ideological support for decolonization and non-alignment to a more pragmatic approach centered on economic diplomacy, energy security, and capacity building. The document details trade growth, diverse investment patterns across various sectors, and technical cooperation initiatives, while discussing the geopolitical drivers and challenges India faces in its engagement with the continent.

This research paper examines the role of Uganda in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), highlighting the tension between peacekeeping efforts and allegations of ulterior motives related to oil and mineral resources. It specifically discusses the controversy surrounding Saracen Security, a company owned by the brother of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and the potential for these activities to undermine the legitimacy of AMISOM and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

This research paper analyzes the geopolitical and economic complexities surrounding the potential independence of Southern Sudan following its 2011 referendum. It highlights the critical interdependence between Juba and Khartoum, particularly regarding oil infrastructure, border demarcation, and regional stability in the Nile Basin.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the security challenges and potential scenarios surrounding the January 9, 2011, referendum on South Sudan's right to secede from Sudan. It examines the political dynamics between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM), the risks of a return to war, and the roles of regional and international actors in maintaining stability during the transition.

This guide, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in 2011, provides a framework for conservation professionals and NGOs to integrate conflict sensitivity into their work. It outlines how conservation activities can inadvertently trigger or exacerbate conflicts, how they are affected by violent conflict, and how they can be leveraged to support peacebuilding. The manual offers a three-step process for organizational adoption and a practical methodology for analyzing and responding to conflicts in the field.

This report documents the proceedings of the Fifth Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators, held in Kampala, Uganda, from October 17–19, 2011. The event, co-organized by the Government of Uganda, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and the South Centre, brought together 79 participants from 40 countries to discuss how developing nations can align foreign direct investment (FDI) with sustainable development goals. The forum focused on the risks of existing bilateral investment treaties (BITs), the importance of regulatory space for host states, and regional cooperation in investment policy.

This conference report, compiled by the Institute for Security Studies, examines the political dynamics and institutional structures that influence decision-making within the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), as well as their interactions with the European Union (EU).

This workshop report, compiled by Eric Scheye for the Institute for Security Studies, details discussions held in March 2011 regarding the promotion of the rule of law (RoL) in Africa. The document critiques traditional donor-led 'institutional capacity development' models, arguing that RoL is primarily a political rather than technical challenge. It advocates for a shift toward service-delivery and problem-solving approaches that recognize legal pluralism, the role of non-state justice providers, and the specific needs of marginalized groups, particularly women.

This report summarizes an expert roundtable held on September 30, 2010, regarding the potential secession of Southern Sudan following its scheduled January 2011 self-determination referendum. It examines the unresolved issues between Northern and Southern Sudan, the internal challenges facing a potential new state, and the resulting security and economic implications for the Horn and central Africa regions.

This report, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), examines the concept and application of "best practices" within the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It analyzes 12 Country Review Reports (CRRs) to identify indigenous governance solutions and argues that a lack of conceptual clarity regarding what constitutes a "best practice" hinders the APRM's ability to facilitate peer learning and sustainable reform across the continent.

This 2011 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the relationship between urban sanitation system trends in developing regions and the disposal of menstrual absorption materials. It identifies that menstrual products, particularly those with super-absorbent materials, frequently cause blockages in water-borne sewerage systems and accelerate the filling of on-site pit latrines. The report argues that menstrual management is largely ignored in sanitation design and advocates for the integration of women's needs and the promotion of solid waste disposal routes for menstrual materials.

This policy brief by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines how developing countries can plan Climate Compatible Development (CCD) by balancing domestic priorities with the requirements of international funding and accountability frameworks. Drawing on lessons from the Rio Conventions and Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) processes, the document provides recommendations for multi-stakeholder engagement, evidence-based planning, integrated policy frameworks, and effective monitoring and evaluation to ensure that climate adaptation and low emissions development (LED) are successfully institutionalized.

This report documents the proceedings of the fourth African Commandants' Conference (ACoC), held from November 1-3, 2010, in Jinja, Uganda. The conference focused on developing a joint continental force to improve effectiveness in multinational environments by enhancing military education, training, and coordination among African staff colleges to support the African Standby Force (ASF) and Peace Support Operations (PSOs).

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 50 years after independence, focusing on the challenges of territorial consolidation, resource governance, and the transition of UN peacekeeping operations.

This August 2010 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analysis on several African security issues. It focuses on Kenya's constitutional referendum, the potential for water-related conflict in the Nile Basin, the transition to democracy in Guinea, and the results of the presidential election in Somaliland. Additionally, it reviews the annual consultative meeting between the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN Security Council (UNSC), the operationalisation of civil society engagement via the Livingstone Formula, and the outcomes of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Review Conference in Kampala.