Search Climate Insights Directory

The paper examines the gap between the de jure framework of decentralisation in South Africa and the practical realities in municipalities. It argues that while decentralisation aims to improve service delivery and accountability, it is often compromised by 'elite capture', capacity constraints, and the misuse of recentralisation mechanisms for political ends. Through case studies of Mogalakwena and Lephalale, the author demonstrates how provincial political battles and the legacy of private-sector 'company town' governance hinder the provision of basic public goods.

The document argues for a comprehensive AU-EU partnership on the green transition and energy access that moves beyond a risk-based lens to address Africa's developmental goals. It highlights the critical need to expand electricity access, leverage private investment through de-risking mechanisms, and integrate nexus issues such as agriculture and the digital economy. While acknowledging the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the briefing suggests the crisis offers an opportunity to redesign the partnership to ensure a just transition that includes skills development and gender mainstreaming.

The document examines the challenges of Africa's transition to renewable energy, highlighting a significant skills gap and the persistent under-representation of women in energy value chains. It argues that while gender-mainstreaming policies exist, they often lack the monitoring, evaluation, and comprehensive support systems—such as financial and technical assistance—necessary to create tangible change. The briefing specifically calls for the AU-EU strategic partnership to better integrate gender dimensions into its green transition and energy access pillars, particularly for youth and those in fossil-fuel-dependent economies to ensure a just transition.

The policy brief contends that Africa's vulnerability to crises like COVID-19 and climate change is exacerbated by low access to energy and the digital economy. It proposes that the AU-EU partnership should prioritise decentralised, renewable energy solutions to bridge the digital divide, as internet access is viewed as a critical value-added energy service and a human right. The document recommends that multi-lateral financial institutions invest in green energy, while policymakers incentivise broadband access and integrate ICT skills into education to foster economic inclusion and climate resilience.

The document examines the role of the circular economy in the economic recovery of the EU and AU following the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the EU's Green Deal and its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, while noting that African countries often practice circular economy principles without formal policies. The brief suggests that the EU's desire to shorten global value chains for food and medical security presents an opportunity for Africa to enhance its regional value chains in mining and agriculture through partnerships. It recommends that the EU-AU Summit prioritize a circular economy baseline for all future programmes to ensure sustainable development and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.

The policy brief examines the opportunities and challenges of a sustainable energy transition partnership between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU). It highlights Africa's vast renewable potential and the EU's need for clean energy, while cautioning against post-colonial rhetoric and the economic risks for African fossil-fuel-dependent nations. The authors recommend a joint vision focused on infrastructure investment, technology transfer, and job creation to ensure a just transition.

The policy brief examines the tension between Africa's need for universal energy access and the competing influences of China's coal-focused Belt and Road Initiative and the EU's green transition strategy. It highlights 'hotspots' of coal development in countries like South Africa and Kenya, noting that social resistance and civil society can halt fossil fuel projects. The author argues that the EU can better compete with China by moving beyond technology transfer to support social innovation, transparency, and mutually respectful business relationships that prioritize local job creation and industrialization over aid.

The document argues that South Africa must update its Trade Policy Strategic Framework to address the 'new normal' post-COVID-19, focusing on regional integration, digital trade, and a redesigned multilateral trading system. It highlights the critical role of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in diversifying markets and enhancing industrialisation, while urging a strategic shift in South Africa's approach to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and traditional partners like the US and EU.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting on behalf of the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA) and groundWork, has filed a formal appeal to the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries against a decision to partially grant ArcelorMittal SA Vanderbijlpark Steel Works (AMSA) a postponement of compliance time-frames for Minimum Emission Standards (MES) under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004.

A letter from groundWork Trust confirming the appointment of the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) as its attorneys of record to appeal a decision regarding ArcelorMittal’s Vanderbijlpark facility.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) sent a letter to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) on 2 September 2020, disputing the adequacy of the DMRE's response to a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request. The CER asserts that the DMRE failed to provide critical supporting records, modelling data, and cost assumptions used to develop the Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity 2019 (IRP 2019).

Corruption Watch and the Public Affairs Research Institute call for decisive leadership and civil society collaboration in the drafting of South Africa's Public Procurement Bill. The authors argue that the pandemic-related corruption and the legacy of state capture highlight critical weaknesses in the current system, which requires a radical overhaul to ensure transparency, accountability, and constitutional compliance.

The document examines how national investment laws can provide a pathway for foreign investors to initiate ISDS claims, potentially challenging government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights that while treaty-based claims are more common, domestic laws—often influenced by international organization 'best practice' advice—can grant unequivocal consent to international arbitration. This creates risks of unpredictable, costly awards and a dichotomy between how domestic and foreign investors are treated. The brief suggests that governments review and potentially amend or suspend these provisions to preserve policy space during the crisis.

The document warns that national investment laws can act as a mechanism for foreign investors to initiate international arbitration against states, potentially challenging COVID-19 emergency measures. It highlights that many developing countries included ISDS consent in their laws following World Bank 'best practice' advice, creating a broad exposure to costly claims. The authors suggest that governments review and potentially suspend these provisions to maintain policy space during the pandemic.

The report examines the systemic failure of police accountability in South Africa, arguing that the existence of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has inadvertently allowed the South African Police Service (SAPS) to neglect its own internal duty to monitor and report on the use of force. It highlights a 'vicious cycle' where high levels of police violence overwhelm the external oversight body, while internal accountability remains minimal due to outdated policies and legal protections like the right to silence. The author recommends that SAPS leadership be held directly accountable by Parliament, that the service implement a comprehensive Use of Force Policy developed by the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service, and that internal reporting systems be strengthened to record all firearm discharges, not just those resulting in death or complaints.

The document argues that mitigating violent extremism in Southern Africa requires leveraging the youth demographic, who are both victims and perpetrators of the insurgency in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province. It highlights that youth vulnerability to radicalisation is driven by governance deficits, poverty, and marginalisation. The brief recommends that the Mozambican government, SADC, and the AU move beyond military responses to include youth-led interventions such as interfaith dialogue, policy advocacy for empowerment, and support for the reintegration of former fighters.

The document argues for a comprehensive AU-EU partnership that integrates the green transition with Africa's broader developmental goals, such as industrialisation and employment. It highlights the critical gap in energy access—with 600 million Africans lacking electricity as of 2018—and the underutilisation of Africa's solar resources. The authors recommend using public finance to de-risk private investment in renewables and addressing 'nexus issues' linking energy to agriculture, the digital economy, and trade. It also notes the tension in countries like Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, and Mozambique, which are pursuing renewable energy while continuing to develop fossil fuel reserves.

The document highlights the critical link between air pollution, human health, and climate change, specifically focusing on short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). It argues that because air pollution has a more immediate and tangible impact on public health than long-term climate change, it can serve as a powerful catalyst for policy action. The brief details the health burdens of PM2.5 and tropospheric ozone, including millions of asthma-related hospital visits and pre-term births. To facilitate this, the Stockholm Environment Institute promotes the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) and Integrated Benefits Calculator (IBC) to help cities and nations model emission projections and quantify health and climate benefits simultaneously.

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) conducted a Zoom workshop on 31 August 2020 to engage youth advocates and organisations in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process. The session aimed to empower civil society to develop a written submission identifying up to twelve pressing issues facing South African youth, treating youth participation as a cross-cutting governance issue. The workshop highlighted the socio-economic challenges facing South African youth, including a 54% unemployment rate among youth in 2018, and established a follow-up training seminar for 22 September 2020 to detail the drafting process.

The Life After Coal campaign, comprising the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), groundWork (gW), and Earthlife Africa (ELA), submitted formal objections on 28 August 2020 against Eskom's applications for alternative emission limits at the Medupi and Matimba power stations. The campaign argues that these requests are an unlawful attempt to circumvent South Africa's Minimum Emission Standards (MES) and violate constitutional rights to a healthy environment.