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This research paper analyzes the 'magnetic pull' of BRICS, exploring why non-member states seek to join the informal group. It argues that while initial appeal was based on economic credentials and promises of systemic reform, the group has transitioned toward more strategic outreach. The author examines the evolution of BRICS through its 2010 and 2023 expansions and the 2024 Kazan summit, highlighting the role of 'compound soft power' and the challenges of maintaining internal cohesion amidst rapid growth.

This research paper examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can drive economic growth, enhance security, and foster international cooperation among the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). It argues that while AI cooperation is currently nascent, it can help these nations challenge Western dominance in technology and governance, provided they align their diverse regulatory approaches and address challenges like job displacement and economic imbalances.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) provides a guide for developing financial instruments for climate adaptation, drawing on a decade of experience from the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (The Lab). It identifies key barriers to adaptation finance—such as high perceived risk, limited investor awareness, and a lack of bankable pipelines—and outlines a five-step framework for structuring successful instruments: defining a resilience thesis, building robust pipelines, strategic funder engagement, cultivating collaborations, and measuring impact.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's remarks at the G20 Closing and Handover Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19, 2024, marking South Africa's assumption of the G20 Presidency. He outlines the theme and priorities for the upcoming year, emphasizing the first time an African country will lead the group.

The 'SEI strategy 2025–29' outlines the Stockholm Environment Institute's strategic framework to address global environmental and sustainable development challenges. The strategy focuses on three primary impact areas—climate transitions, nature and resources, and health and wellbeing—while introducing 'accelerating implementation' as a new strategic outcome to move from policy goals to on-the-ground action.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the proposal to expand the contributor base for climate finance to include emerging economies. It argues that while some emerging countries already contribute voluntarily, mandating their contributions at the current rate of developed countries would only provide an additional USD 51.19 billion, which is approximately 5.12% of the estimated USD 1 trillion annual need for developing countries. The document emphasizes that developed countries must maintain primary responsibility and calls for clearer definitions of 'developed countries' and 'climate finance' during the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) negotiations at COP29.

A briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlining the expected agenda for the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, focusing on post-expansion integration, trade in local currencies, global governance coordination, and climate transition strategies.

This case study examines how Chile, Indonesia, and South Africa are decarbonizing their mining sectors to align with the Paris Agreement while continuing to supply critical minerals for the global energy transition.

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes international development funding for outdoor air quality projects from 2018 to 2022. It highlights a chronic underfunding of clean air efforts, which represent only 1% of total international development funding, and notes a significant imbalance in funding distribution and a reliance on loans over grants.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics argues that nature and ecosystem services provide immense economic value, often exceeding the gains from their exploitation, and that the costs of biodiversity loss pose systemic risks to global GDP and financial stability.

This technical brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development summarizes key findings on gender, equity, and justice from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (Working Group II) to make technical knowledge more accessible to practitioners, advocates, and educators.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines whether deep sea mining is necessary for the clean energy transition. It concludes that deep sea mining is unlikely to alleviate short-term mineral supply crunches because the technology for commercial extraction and processing is not yet available, and the steepest growth in mineral demand is expected before 2035. The document highlights that there is no physical scarcity of critical minerals in the earth's crust, but rather supply risks driven by lack of investment, recycling, and geopolitical concentration of processing in China. It suggests that sustainable land mining, supply diversification, recycling, and material substitution are more viable alternatives to deep sea mining, which carries significant unknown environmental risks.

This report by the Centre for Environmental Rights examines the risks and financing of onshore gas extraction in South Africa, focusing on the Mpumalanga Gas Project and the Virginia gas field. It critiques the government's positioning of gas as a 'transition fuel' and highlights significant environmental, financial, and transparency concerns.

This report, prepared for the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, analyzes 12 case studies of blended finance instruments designed to overcome barriers to investment in Nature-based Solutions (NbS). It explores how a combination of concessional capital, technical assistance, and risk-mitigation tools like guarantees can mobilize private investment across sectors including restoration, conservation, bioeconomy, agroforestry, and ocean/water management.

This technical brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) summarizes key findings from the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report (Working Group II) regarding gender, equity, and justice in climate change adaptation. It translates technical scientific data into accessible messages and illustrative examples, specifically contextualized for African geographies, to help practitioners implement more inclusive and effective adaptation strategies.

This report by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) provides guidance on the design and implementation of trade-related circular economy policies and measures (TrCEMs). It aims to help governments create frameworks that achieve environmental and public health goals while minimizing trade costs and supporting fair transitions, particularly for developing countries.

This policy brief examines the role of agroforestry in providing bioenergy for households and small-scale industries, emphasizing the need for sustainable sourcing and innovative energy conversion to ensure food and fuel security.

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an organization dedicated to accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7)—universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030—and supporting the global transition to net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

This report by the Africa Policy Research Institute maps the methane mitigation landscape in Nigeria's oil and gas sector. It identifies a funding gap of US$1.5 billion needed by 2030, analyzes the alignment of national policies with global goals, and outlines the roles of various stakeholders and the challenges hindering emission reductions.

This input paper for the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, prepared by the India Initiative on Climate Risks and Sustainable Finance (led by Climate Bonds Initiative), examines the role of policymakers in mobilising private finance for the decarbonisation of the steel and cement sectors. It emphasizes the critical nature of the current decade for transition, particularly in emerging markets, and argues that credible corporate transition plans are essential for unlocking private capital through instruments like sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs). The report also highlights a significant gap in the integration of 'just transition' principles within corporate planning.