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This research paper analyzes the impact of the death of 13 South African soldiers in the Central African Republic (CAR) on March 23, 2013, arguing that the incident exposed failures in democratic transparency and institutional accountability within South Africa's foreign policy. The author suggests that to preserve its 'African agenda,' South Africa must move away from Cold War-era anti-imperialist prisms, improve intelligence partnerships with traditional powers, and proactively domesticate its foreign policy through democratic scrutiny.

This research paper analyzes South Africa's military and diplomatic involvement in the Central African Republic (CAR), framing it as part of a broader geopolitical struggle for resource control and influence. The author argues that South Africa's efforts to resist Western interference and align with emerging powers like the BRICS group were undermined by a lack of regional support and insufficient intelligence infrastructure, ultimately leading to a 'humiliating experience' in the face of established Chinese and French interests.

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 report by the Climate Policy Initiative compares energy efficiency policies for buildings in China, Germany, and the United States. It analyzes four primary policy intervention points—new construction, building retrofit, equipment, and operations—and examines how different national building stocks, climatic conditions, and economic environments shape the priorities and effectiveness of these policies.

This April 2013 fact sheet reports that American concern over climate change is rising across party lines, with strong support for renewable energy and power plant emission regulations, though support for carbon taxes remains low. It highlights that minorities, particularly Latinos, show higher rates of belief in climate change than the general population and notes a strong public link between climate change and extreme weather events.

This fact sheet by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute details the Obama Administration's fiscal year (FY) 2014 budget proposal, focusing on investments in clean energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, and climate resilience across multiple federal agencies.

The April 2013 Peace and Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analysis and country-specific assessments for Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, and the Central African Republic (CAR), focusing on political instability, unconstitutional changes of government, and humanitarian crises.

This research paper by RMI explores the transition of the U.S. electricity sector from a traditional value chain to a 'value constellation' at the distribution edge. It examines how the rise of distributed energy resources (DERs) challenges existing utility business models and proposes new regulatory and economic frameworks to better integrate these resources for improved system efficiency, resilience, and reliability.

This research paper analyzes the evolution of Senegal's foreign policy from 2000 to 2013, focusing on the transition from the administration of President Abdoulaye Wade to that of President Macky Sall. It examines the shift toward 'technicization' and economic diplomacy, the concentration of power within the executive branch, and the influence of pan-Africanism.

The National Chairman's Annual Statement of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), delivered on 27 March 2013, analyzes South Africa's strategic position within a multipolar world. It discusses the role of the BRICS forum, the necessity of strengthening ties with other African regional powers, and the impact of domestic instability and military casualties in the Central African Republic on South Africa's global prestige and soft power.

The minutes of the Twentieth IAI Conference of the Parties (CoP), held from June 27-29, 2012, in Arlington, VA, USA, detail the approval of a new tripartite governance structure for the IAI Directorate, the selection of eight research projects for the Third Round of the Collaborative Research Network Program (CRN 3), and updates to the institute's standing rules and financial budget for FY 2012-2013.

The minutes of the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held from June 27-29, 2012, in Arlington, VA, USA, detail the transition to a tripartite governance structure and the approval of new scientific projects and operational budgets.

A joint statement from several environmental organizations to President Barack Obama urging the development of a national strategy for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports based on comprehensive economic and environmental assessments.

This document is the testimony of Michael Obeiter delivered on March 6, 2013, to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy & Power, focusing on the balance between the U.S. energy boom and environmental impacts, specifically methane leakage from natural gas systems.

This executive summary by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) examines the potential for institutional investors—such as pension funds and insurance companies—to fund renewable energy infrastructure. It identifies three primary investment channels and analyzes the policy, regulatory, and institutional barriers that prevent these investors from lowering the cost of capital for renewable energy projects.

This case study examines the role of the United States government in the development and market adoption of low-emissivity (low-e) windows. It details how federal research, computer modeling tools, standardized rating systems, and labeling programs like ENERGY STAR catalyzed private sector investment and led to widespread commercial success in building energy efficiency.

This executive summary outlines the needs of transportation planners in the United States to adapt infrastructure to climate change. It highlights the significant financial losses from extreme weather, such as Superstorm Sandy, and argues that adaptation requires a combination of high-resolution climate data (specifically short-duration rainfall intensity), better understanding of local non-climate factors, and improved science literacy among transportation professionals. The document emphasizes that adaptation is a management and economic challenge requiring tools that integrate climate variability with local economic and community values.

A statement by Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica regarding his arrest during a civil disobedience action at the White House to protest the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.

A statement from World Resources Institute (WRI) President Andrew Steer responding to President Obama's State of the Union address, outlining four specific actions the U.S. administration can take to meet its 2020 greenhouse gas emissions target.

This executive summary by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that stricter laws and regulations regarding hazardous chemicals act as drivers for innovation rather than obstacles. By analyzing patent filings and case studies, the document demonstrates how the prospect of stronger regulation encourages the development and market adoption of safer chemical alternatives.