Search Climate Insights Directory

The 2022 Forest Declaration Assessment executive summary evaluates global progress toward the 2030 goals of ending deforestation and restoring 350 million hectares of degraded land. The report concludes that the world is not on track to meet these targets, noting that global deforestation rates decreased only modestly in 2021 and that financial investments for forest protection remain critically insufficient.

This executive summary from the 2022 Forest Declaration Assessment evaluates global progress toward the 2030 goals of ending deforestation and restoring 350 million hectares of degraded land. The report concludes that the world is not on track to meet these targets, noting that no single global indicator is currently aligned with the 2030 objectives. It analyzes four key themes: fundamental forest goals, sustainable production and development, forest finance, and forest governance.

The 2022 Forest Declaration Assessment is a civil society-led independent evaluation of progress toward global goals to stop deforestation and restore 350 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. The report concludes that the world is not currently on track to meet these targets, highlighting significant gaps in funding, governance, and corporate action across the agricultural, extractive, and infrastructure sectors.

The 2022 Forest Declaration Assessment executive summary evaluates global progress toward the 2030 goals of halting deforestation and restoring 350 million hectares of degraded land. It concludes that no single global indicator is currently on track to meet these targets, highlighting critical gaps in finance, corporate action, and governance.

The October 2022 Theme 1 report by the Forest Declaration Assessment evaluates global progress toward two primary 2030 goals: ending the loss and degradation of natural forests and restoring 350 million hectares of degraded landscapes and forestlands. The report concludes that no global indicator is currently on track to meet these targets, though it identifies regional variations and specific country successes.

The 2022 Forest Declaration Assessment Theme 4 report evaluates global forest governance systems and their capacity to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030. It finds that while some countries have implemented effective legal tools like moratoria and inclusive policies, overall progress is insufficient, with persistent issues including widespread corruption, tenure insecurity for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and the rollback of environmental protections in several major tropical forest nations.

The October 2022 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government (UCGs) in Africa, the expansion of violent extremist groups in the Lake Chad Basin, and the asymmetrical progress between the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Free Movement Protocol. It also highlights the urgent need for educational investment in Chad to mitigate population growth and economic instability.

This report by the Alliance for Renewable Electrification (ARE) presents a portfolio of case studies demonstrating how decentralised renewable energy (DRE) solutions—including solar PV, nano-grids, and hydropower—enhanced community resilience and essential service delivery during and after the COVID-19 pandemic across various emerging economies.

This briefing paper by FSD Africa examines the necessity and mechanisms for mobilising private finance to preserve and restore natural capital across Africa. It identifies a significant annual financing gap of over $100 billion and proposes a 'triple bottom line' investment approach focusing on landscape financing, restorative agriculture, and sustainable supply chains. The document outlines the roles of various stakeholders, including central banks, international development partners, and impact investors, in creating a 'natural capital aligned' investor base through green bonds, carbon credits, and specialist funds.

This research paper examines Russia's efforts to expand its diplomatic and security influence in Africa, arguing that while Moscow has increased its presence since the Cold War, its ambitions are severely limited by a lack of financial resources compared to rivals like China, the US, and the EU. The author contends that Russia's strategy relies heavily on security partnerships and 'non-interference' rhetoric, which cannot substitute for the large-scale infrastructure and financial aid provided by other global powers.

This policy brief examines the limited participation of African nations in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce. It analyzes the tension between the plurilateral JSI approach and the multilateral Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, highlighting the digital divide and capacity constraints facing African states. The author argues that African countries should engage with the JSI to protect their developmental interests and prepare for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) e-commerce protocol.

This policy brief by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the evolving nature of sovereign debt in Africa, highlighting a shift from traditional multilateral creditors to private bondholders and emerging economies like China. It argues that current debt relief mechanisms are insufficient because they lack statutory, human rights-based frameworks and fail to compel the participation of private creditors, leaving African nations vulnerable to economic shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic.

This report by Cenfri and FSD Africa analyzes how insurance regulators across 31 sub-Saharan African countries responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. It proposes a four-phase regulatory response framework—Identify, Determine/Implement, Monitor, and Adapt—to help supervisors manage future systemic risks such as climate change and cyber-security threats.

This February 2022 report from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the composition and challenges of the newly elected African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC), the outcomes of the February 2022 AU Summit regarding governance and conflict prevention, and the ongoing debate over equitable regional representation within the Council. It also examines the tensions between the African Union and the European Union regarding the green energy transition and critiques the application of the principle of subsidiarity in the relationship between the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

This fact sheet evaluates progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which focuses on strengthening forest governance, transparency, and the rule of law while empowering Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). The document reports that while some legal frameworks and demand-side regulations have improved, overall progress is too slow to measurably reduce deforestation, with illegal deforestation increasing from 49% to 69% over a seven-year period.

This fact sheet, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network in 2022, distils findings from the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report regarding climate change impacts, future risks, and adaptation strategies specifically for Central Africa.

This fact sheet, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network in 2022, synthesizes findings from the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report regarding the impacts of climate change in Central Africa. It details observed temperature and precipitation trends, future projections for health and biodiversity, and the economic consequences of warming. The document also outlines adaptation strategies, such as nature-based solutions and integrated water management, while highlighting critical gaps in climate research funding and data collection for the region.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the intersection of climate change and human security in Africa. It argues that climate change acts as a 'threat multiplier' that interacts with existing socio-economic and political vulnerabilities to drive instability. The document advocates for a shift in climate governance from a focus on emissions and environmental risk to a development-led investment approach that builds economic resilience and social stability.

This report examines the critical role of sustainable cooling and cold chains in reducing global food loss, improving nutrition, and supporting agricultural economies, particularly in low-income and high-impact countries.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the development financing gap facing African countries during their COVID-19 recovery. It argues that African nations lack the fiscal space available to advanced economies, facing high debt burdens and unfair credit ratings. The document proposes that the G20 and other development partners implement coordinated debt relief, reallocate resources to de-risk private investment, and establish fairer credit rating mechanisms to support sustainable economic transformation.