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The report argues that a high ambition climate agreement, aiming to limit global warming to 2°C by 2100, is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. While physical climate impacts are projected to be similar across scenarios until 2030, a high ambition deal provides the policy framework, international cooperation, and finance necessary to drive green growth and reduce poverty. Conversely, a low ambition agreement (3-5°C warming) is linked to slower economic growth, higher inequality, and a significantly greater risk of failing to meet SDGs related to poverty, inequality, and global partnerships.

In 2013, global climate finance flows totaled USD 331 billion, a decrease of USD 28 billion from 2012. This decline was primarily driven by a USD 31 billion drop in private investment, largely due to falling solar PV costs. Public finance remained stable at USD 137 billion, with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) acting as the primary public source. Mitigation accounted for 91% of total flows, while adaptation received 7% (USD 25 billion), all of which originated from public sources. The report highlights a significant gap between current flows and the estimated USD 1.1 trillion annual investment needed in the energy sector to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius.

The article examines the drivers of rainwater harvesting technology (RWHT) uptake in semi-arid and sub-humid sub-Saharan Africa, arguing that household-scale analysis must be combined with an understanding of global and regional processes. Through a systematic literature review, the authors identify four key processes of influence: shifting ideologies in food production, agricultural science and technology investment levels, the role of emergent actors in development assistance, and farmer mobility patterns.

The document examines South Africa's economic struggle to transition from an upper-middle-income to an upper-income country, a process hindered by historical structural dualism and a trend toward de-industrialisation. It highlights similarities between South Africa and Brazil regarding commodity-based export profiles and internal debates over industrial policy. While South Africa maintains a diversified industrial base, the legacy of Apartheid-era segregated development has distorted the skills base and hampered innovation. The author argues that escaping the 'middle income trap' requires high investment, industrial competitiveness, and the resolution of structural inequality. Within the BRICS context, the document notes competitive pressures from India and China, suggesting that the New Development Bank and Contingent Reserve Fund may provide neutral channels for cooperation.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free US market access to eligible sub-Saharan African countries, is set to expire on 30 September 2015. While the US Executive Branch conducts impact investigations and makes recommendations, the US Congress holds the central role in determining the timing and content of reauthorisation legislation. The document warns that a swift renewal is unlikely due to a partisan stalemate in Washington, the 2014 congressional elections, and opposition from US agricultural and business interest groups. It advises African leaders to prioritize advocacy with the US Legislative Branch, specifically members of committees with jurisdictional interest, rather than focusing solely on the US Executive Branch during the 2014 US–Africa Leaders Summit.

The paper examines the slow progress of sanitation coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi. It identifies a critical disconnect between macro-level policies and micro-level household implementation, driven by institutional inertia and path dependency. The authors argue that sustainable progress requires moving beyond supply-driven subsidies toward demand-driven strategies, private sector involvement, and a better understanding of informal norms and multi-level actor interactions.

Agricultural emissions accounted for approximately 13 percent of total global emissions in 2011, totaling 6 billion tonnes. The primary sources are methane from cattle and nitrous oxide from fertilizers and soil waste, which together comprise 65 percent of the sector's emissions. Global agricultural emissions grew by 8 percent between 1990 and 2010 and are projected to reach nearly 7 billion tonnes per year by 2030, driven largely by population growth and dietary shifts in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Mitigation opportunities include improving crop and grazing management, reducing food loss and waste, and shifting dietary preferences away from meat, particularly beef.

The document outlines the scale and sources of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, identifying the sector as the second largest global emitter. It highlights the role of methane and nitrous oxide, lists the top emitting countries, and discusses the impact of land-use change and dietary shifts. Finally, it presents the GHG Protocol guidelines as a tool for farms to inventory and reduce their carbon footprint through improved production practices and demand-side changes.

The document identifies significant barriers to integrating climate science into African policy-making, including systematic biases in climate models, a decline in observational data networks, and a lack of technical capacity to interpret data. It emphasizes that current climate information is often too coarse in resolution for local decision-making and is poorly communicated to policy-makers. To address these gaps, the authors recommend promoting African-led science, improving the translation of research into non-technical formats, and engaging influential finance and development ministries rather than relying solely on environment ministries.

The report argues that low-carbon technology adoption in developing countries requires tailored innovation systems rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. It identifies specific needs for the 'bottom of the pyramid' (energy access), the rising middle class (lifestyle and urban planning), and industrial sectors (efficiency and value chain integration). The authors emphasize that the public sector must mitigate risks through financial support and coordination, while international bodies like the UNFCCC's Technology Mechanism should act as brokers to link finance, R&D, and knowledge sharing.

The report analyzes the deadlock of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) and the subsequent shift toward preferential trade agreements (PTAs). It argues that the rise of international supply chain trade (SCT) requires the WTO to move away from a 'silo approach' to policy and instead adopt a framework that addresses the joint impact of tariffs, services, and regulations on value chains. The author suggests using the WTO as a forum for deliberation on new issues—such as digital trade and environmental policies—and proposes a 'code of conduct' for plurilateral agreements to allow subsets of members to advance without requiring full consensus.

This briefing evaluates the G20's performance regarding the interests of sub-Saharan African countries, noting that South Africa is the only member from that region. The assessment uses five specific criteria to analyze summit outcomes and provides recommendations for improving G20 responsiveness to African concerns and increasing African influence on G20 policies.

The briefing evaluates G-20 performance regarding sub-Saharan Africa across five criteria: goals, international law, administrative practice, coverage, and coordinated specialisation. It finds that while the G-20's implicit goal of a "more inclusive and sustainable global economy" aligns with African interests, the group's outputs often lack the specificity and accountability needed for meaningful impact. South Africa is noted as the sole African member, which limits broader regional representation in decision-making. The author recommends that African stakeholders use G-20 statements to advocate for action and that the G-20 adopt clearer implementation schedules to improve accountability.

The document argues that developing countries can avoid high-carbon lock-in by adopting strategic industrial policies to build technological capabilities. It examines energy efficiency in the sub-Saharan African cement sector and the growth of renewable energy manufacturing in China and India, recommending a mix of targeted protectionism, best available technology regulations, and international support to transition toward climate-compatible development.

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has grown rapidly, with 40.5 million people directly engaged by 2017, often as a poverty-reduction strategy. While ASM provides a significant portion of global gold, sapphire, diamond, tantalum, and tin supplies, it is characterized by high informality (70-80%) and severe environmental and health risks, most notably the release of approximately 1,400 tonnes of mercury annually. The document advocates for inclusive formalization, the use of ethical certification schemes, and cooperation between ASM and large-scale mining (LSM) to improve sustainability and livelihoods.

The document examines the potential for low-carbon technologies to address energy poverty in Africa, highlighting that while grid expansion is suitable for urban areas and some rural zones, off-grid and mini-grid renewables are increasingly viable for remote regions. It identifies significant barriers to adoption, including high upfront capital costs, lack of local technical capacity, and the political influence of fossil fuel reserves. Using Morocco's rural electrification programme as a success story, the briefing argues that low-carbon options must be integrated into broader development objectives—such as job creation for youth, health improvements from reduced air pollution, and national energy self-sufficiency—to become politically and economically competitive.

The document argues that women's disproportionate vulnerability to climate change and environmental stress is driven by social constraints and unequal power relations rather than inherent traits. It highlights that gender-blind policies in sectors such as fisheries, disaster risk reduction, and sanitation often disadvantage women or widen existing gender gaps. The briefing emphasizes that gender intersects with age and class, meaning vulnerability is multi-dimensional. To be effective, the document asserts that interventions must move beyond simple legal changes or stereotypes and instead adopt multi-faceted strategies across household, community, and national levels.

The African elephant exhibits resilience due to its generalist diet and large population, but is vulnerable to high temperatures, disease, and a critical dependence on fresh water. Climate change is projected to increase heat extremes and create erratic rainfall patterns across sub-Saharan Africa, potentially exacerbating existing threats like poaching and human-elephant conflict. Recommended conservation priorities include securing water sources, maintaining connected habitats, and supporting human adaptation to reduce encroachment.

The mountain gorilla is characterized by a mix of climate resilience and high vulnerability. While the species possesses high temperature tolerance and a generalist diet, it is critically endangered with a small population and restricted range. Key vulnerabilities include a low reproductive rate, limited genetic variation, and a high susceptibility to human-transmitted diseases, which may be exacerbated by a changing climate. The document recommends monitoring disease, expanding protected areas, and supporting human adaptation to reduce pressures on gorilla habitats.

The report highlights that kerosene lamps emit significantly more black carbon than previously estimated, contributing to global warming and severe health risks. It argues that replacing these lamps with solar LED and other off-grid alternatives is a cost-effective climate mitigation strategy with substantial co-benefits. While many initiatives already exist, the report suggests the CCAC could add value by raising high-level awareness, promoting quality standards, and supporting finance for SMEs and consumers, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.