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The research paper examines the implications of the lapsed 123 Agreement between the US and South Africa, which suspended export licenses for nuclear fuel supplier Westinghouse Electric Corporation. It details the critical life extension process at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant, including the replacement of steam generators for Unit 1 and Unit 2, and notes that the plant provides approximately 6% of South Africa's electricity. The document highlights a deadlock in US-South Africa negotiations over South Africa's right to produce its own nuclear fuel, and notes a new Memorandum of Understanding between the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and Russia's TVEL. Finally, it mentions South Africa's plan to procure an additional 2500 MW of nuclear power to combat loadshedding, despite past legal challenges to nuclear deals with Russia.

The document analyzes the primary points of contention and potential areas of progress for the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13). It highlights the critical need to restore the dispute settlement system, the tension between multilateral and plurilateral negotiating approaches—particularly regarding environmental and industrial policies—and the ongoing debate over special and differential treatment (SDT) for developing countries. It also examines efforts to improve committee transparency and notification compliance.

The Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) aims to increase foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs) through commitments to transparency, streamlined administration, and sustainable investment. While 117 WTO members have signed on, the agreement faces a significant hurdle in its legal incorporation into the WTO system. Proponents seek to include it as a plurilateral agreement under Annex 4 of the Marrakesh Agreement, but this requires consensus from all WTO members, including non-signatories like India and South Africa who oppose plurilateral initiatives on the grounds that they undermine the WTO's consensus principle and distract from the Doha Development Agenda.

The paper examines two critical development issues facing the WTO ahead of MC13: the operationalization of special and differential treatment (SDT) provisions and the support for LDCs graduating from their category. While the G90 has narrowed its SDT proposals to 10 priority items to address developed countries' concerns about 'blanket and indefinite exemptions', consensus has remained elusive. Conversely, there is positive momentum regarding graduating LDCs following a October 2023 General Council decision encouraging smooth transitions for duty-free and quota-free preference programs.

The report examines the challenges of a just energy transition in Colombia's coal-producing regions of Cesar and La Guajira. It analyzes the differing visions of transition held by national and regional actors, the power dynamics that resist the planned phase-out of coal mining, and the efforts of civil society to promote sustainable futures. This work is part of a broader comparative project involving South Africa and Indonesia to understand energy transition hurdles in Global South coal-producing nations.

The document argues that while African nations have submitted ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), they face a massive climate finance gap and high debt burdens that hinder a just energy transition. It critiques previous G20 presidencies for treating developing countries as a monolith and failing to address Africa's specific needs, such as the disparity between mitigation and adaptation funding. The brief recommends that the Brazilian and South African G20 presidencies focus on increasing the flow and quality of finance through concessional capital, debt-for-nature swaps, and the re-channeling of special drawing rights, while also enhancing Africa's participation in carbon markets and attracting private sector investment.

The document argues that a Basic Income Grant (BIG) is affordable and sustainable for South Africa, potentially reducing poverty by up to two-thirds and increasing GDP growth from 2.2% to between 2.8% and 3.5% by 2030. It presents three modelling scenarios (low, medium, and high ambition) funded through a combination of wealth taxes, a social security tax, and increased VAT revenue generated by stimulated consumption. The analysis suggests that the net cost of a UBIG could be as low as 50% of its gross cost due to the 'multiplier effect' and tax clawbacks.

The document provides a summary of the proposed oil and gas exploration activities in Block 3B/4B by Africa Oil South Africa Corp and its partners. It outlines the technical aspects of the drilling project, the potential negative impacts on marine biodiversity, local livelihoods, and the climate, as well as the projected short-term economic benefits. The guide serves as a call for public participation, detailing how stakeholders can review the draft EIS and submit comments by February 8, 2024.

The document outlines a proposed oil and gas exploration project in Block 3B/4B off the west coast of South Africa, led by a joint venture including Africa Oil South Africa Corp (AOSAC). It details the planned drilling of up to five wells, the potential environmental impacts on marine biodiversity and climate, and the socio-economic effects on local communities. The guide serves as a call for public comment on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, providing schedules for public open days and instructions for submitting objections or feedback to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE).

The document serves as a manual for citizen monitors under the COMPACT project, a joint initiative by PARI, SALGA, and Integrity Action funded by the European Union. It outlines a six-step monitoring journey designed to improve service delivery—with a specific focus on water and sanitation—by training citizens to oversee municipal projects, engage stakeholders, and resolve issues through constructive dialogue. The guide provides detailed instructions on using KoboToolbox for data collection, exercising the right to information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), and implementing safety protocols (HEVOO) during site visits.

The document outlines the Citizen-Based Monitoring (CBM) approach, a six-step process designed to improve local government accountability in South Africa. It provides practical instructions for trained monitors on engaging stakeholders, accessing public information via the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), and using KoboToolbox for data collection. The guide emphasizes non-confrontational engagement, safety protocols, and the use of Joint Working Groups to resolve identified service delivery issues, with a particular focus on water and sanitation infrastructure.

The document serves as a manual for community monitors under the COMPACT project, a collaboration between PARI, SALGA, and Integrity Action funded by the European Union from February 2022 to January 2026. It outlines a six-step monitoring process designed to increase local government accountability and improve service delivery, specifically focusing on water and sanitation. The guide details how to engage stakeholders, use the KoboToolbox app for data collection, and exercise legal rights to access information via the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). It also provides technical checklists for monitoring water infrastructure projects and strategies for conflict resolution and communication with government officials and contractors.

The report examines the potential effects of International Maritime Organization (IMO) candidate mid-term GHG measures on African economies. Using a CGE model, it finds that a USD100/t carbon levy would generally reduce GDP and household incomes across Africa, increase global food prices, and reduce the supply of maritime services. A case study of Ghana highlights existing freight cost imbalances and the risk of a stranded fleet of older vessels. The authors argue that for such measures to be equitable, revenues must be redistributed as direct grants (not loans) for out-of-sector climate resilience and mitigation, based on criteria including climate vulnerability and historical emissions contributions.

The report evaluates how South Africa's sophisticated insurance industry can be leveraged to bridge a R2.3bn annual disaster funding gap and improve climate resilience. While the country has high insurance penetration (10%), non-life coverage remains low among vulnerable groups due to affordability and regulatory costs. The document highlights opportunities in index-based agricultural insurance, municipal risk pooling, and the integration of insurance into social grant systems via SASSA. It also identifies significant transition risks for insurers due to the economy's reliance on carbon-intensive assets and recommends streamlining Public-Private Partnership (PPP) regulations to incentivise private sector investment in adaptation.

The study explores a mechanism to transfer non-sovereign MDB loans to African institutional investors, particularly pension funds, in East and West Africa. It identifies a potential pool of eligible assets from the IFC and AfDB and estimates that up to US$8.69 billion in pension assets could be allocated to such a vehicle if locally domiciled. The report proposes a phased implementation starting with a pilot, managed by a dedicated Fund Manager, using an umbrella fund structure with local currency sub-funds to mitigate foreign exchange risks.

The document advocates for a shift from traditional gender mainstreaming to Gender Transformative Approaches (GTAs) in Southern Africa to address the root causes of inequality and improve resilience to climate change and food insecurity. It provides a series of policy recommendations, including the integration of GTAs into national development plans and disaster risk reduction strategies, and highlights existing legal frameworks at global, continental, and regional levels that can enable these shifts.

The document outlines the challenges facing the BSF sector in South Africa, highlighting the failure of pioneers like AgriProtein and Inseco. It argues against the 'dual thesis' of being both a waste processor and a feed manufacturer, warns against competing as a low-margin protein commodity, and emphasizes the need for feedstock control, energy resilience (specifically solar PV), and early regulatory compliance to avoid stranded assets.

The City of Cape Town has established a pioneering model for integrating small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) into its municipal grid, resulting in approximately 6,400 authorised grid-tied systems and over 140 MVA of installed capacity by June 2024. Driven by escalating national loadshedding and rising electricity costs, the City implemented a series of technical guidelines, feed-in tariffs, and smart metering infrastructure. Key initiatives include the 'Cash for Power' programme, the removal of 'net consumer' requirements to allow full account offsetting, and the 2024 launch of an online application system to reduce administrative backlogs. These efforts have facilitated between R1.7 billion and R2.6 billion in investment and created approximately 713 to 1,140 full-time equivalent jobs in the local green economy.

The report identifies four primary investment opportunities for electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa: electric micro-mobility for last-mile delivery, electrification of public transportation, electrification of freight and logistics, and local manufacturing of private passenger vehicles. While high capital expenditure (CAPEX) and energy security concerns related to loadshedding remain significant barriers, rising fuel prices are improving the operational business case for fleet electrification. The South African government is supporting the transition through the December 2023 Electric Vehicle White Paper and a planned investment allowance starting March 1, 2026, to encourage local production, with the first battery EVs expected by 2026.

The document assesses the viability of transitioning South Africa's minibus taxi (MBT) fleet to electric vehicles (E-MBTs), highlighting significant operational cost savings and the alignment of vehicle range with current driver patterns. It identifies key barriers, including high upfront costs, inadequate charging infrastructure, and restrictive tax structures. To unlock local manufacturing, the brief proposes a three-step transition: moving from imports to local assembly and finally to scaled-up local production. It emphasizes the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) as a strategic hub for this industry, supported by existing automotive skills and government incentives like the Automotive Investment Scheme.