Search Climate Insights Directory

The report details a 2003 workshop on integrating public benefits—such as rural electrification, energy efficiency, and renewable energy—into power sector reforms in developing countries. It concludes that while reforms can threaten traditional public service obligations, they also provide opportunities to establish transparent, accountable regulatory frameworks that can sustain and expand these benefits. The document emphasizes that the achievement of public benefits is independent of ownership structure but requires explicit policy integration and expanded capacity building for a wider range of stakeholders, including NGOs and academia.

This position paper by Friends of the Earth International argues that current global trade rules, particularly those of the WTO, undermine food sovereignty and sustainability. It advocates for a shift from industrial, export-oriented agriculture toward localized, sustainable food systems that prioritize the rights of small farmers and the environment over corporate interests.

This 2003 research paper outlines the framework of the NEPAD African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), detailing its five-stage review process and the roles of the APR Forum, Panel of Eminent Persons, and APR Secretariat. It emphasizes the distinction between political governance review (handled by AU institutions) and economic/corporate governance review (handled by the NEPAD Secretariat and partners like UNECA). The paper also discusses the integration of the APRM within the broader African Union structure and the proposed mutual accountability between Africa and its international development partners.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) within the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and its integration with the African Union (AU). It details the APRM's organizational structure, the five-stage country review process, and the challenges of harmonizing political governance assessments with existing AU bodies like the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

This research paper by David H. Shinn analyzes Sudan's strategic position in Africa, focusing on its internal civil war, the economic impact of oil, and its complex bilateral relations with its nine neighboring countries as of March 2003.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyses the outcomes of the 2002 summits in Durban, marking the transition from the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU). It details the establishment of the AU's core governance structures, the protocol for the Peace and Security Council, and various declarations regarding democratic elections and continental development frameworks like NEPAD and CSSDCA.

This research paper examines the evolution of international criminal law in the early 21st century, focusing on the impact of the tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. The author analyzes the subsequent efforts to establish specialized courts in Sierra Leone, Cambodia, and East Timor, while arguing that the proliferation of ad hoc tribunals may promote selective justice and that a permanent International Criminal Court is necessary to end the 'culture of impunity'.

A 1999 guide by CIEL explaining how citizens can use the World Bank Inspection Panel to report policy violations in development projects. It details eligibility criteria, the investigation process, the limitations of the Panel's power, and the risks of borrower reprisals.

This research paper assesses Western efforts to develop African peacekeeping capabilities in the late 1990s, specifically focusing on the 'P-3 Initiative' (US, UK, and France) and Danish contributions. The authors argue that while these capacity-building programs provide tangible training and equipment, they are primarily driven by Western domestic political desires to avoid direct military or financial involvement in African conflicts. The document also details the institutional, financial, and operational limitations of African regional bodies like the OAU, SADC, and ECOWAS in managing peace and security independently.

This research paper analyzes the transition of the US-led African Crisis Response Force (ACRF) into the African Crisis Response Initiative (ACRI) in 1997. It examines the ACRI's focus on long-term capacity-building through military training for African battalions to enhance peacekeeping interoperability, while critiquing the initiative's lack of coordination with the OAU and UN, its reliance on US military doctrine, and the absence of a clear mechanism for deploying the trained forces.

This fact sheet from the African Center for Economic Transformation outlines the potential for green industrialization in Africa, emphasizing the need to move from raw material extraction to value-adding industries through integrated policy, finance, and digital infrastructure.

This research paper by the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) examines the relationship between escalating sovereign debt in Africa and the subsequent erosion of human rights. The authors argue that high debt-servicing obligations force governments to implement austerity measures and cut spending on essential public services, thereby compromising basic needs and hindering the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The paper analyzes debt trends, the impact of various relief initiatives, and the role of civil society, ultimately calling for a human rights-based approach to debt management and the cancellation of debts for highly indebted countries.

This document contains the remarks delivered by Sam Bickersteth, Chief Executive of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), at the opening plenary of the Eighth International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation (CBA8) in Kathmandu, Nepal. The speech focuses on the necessity of scaling up finance for local-level climate adaptation and the relationship between greenhouse gas emission reductions and adaptation resource requirements.

Dr Shehnaaz Moosa of CDKN Africa describes the integration of resilience into infrastructure as a "wicked problem" and argues that climate change provides an incentive for governments to implement overdue infrastructure policies and practices.

This report summarizes the first part of a two-part document detailing a July 2012 UNFCCC regional expert meeting on Loss and Damage held in Mexico City. It highlights the disparity in policy attention between extreme weather events and slow-onset climate processes in Latin America and the Caribbean, and calls for integrated risk-management approaches to address these gaps.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) proposes ten propositions to help countries integrate their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) into national development planning. Drawing on evidence from seven countries—Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Peru, and Uganda—the paper argues that successful integration requires a combination of policy coherence, institutional leadership, and transparent resource management to ensure climate actions are not isolated from mainstream economic development.

The 'Regional Research Call – Africa START' document outlines a funding initiative managed by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) to support research on 'Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security' across Africa. The program focuses on the sustainability of ecosystem services, aiming to provide policy-relevant research, build regional research capacity, and facilitate knowledge sharing. The call is co-financed by the US National Science Foundation and the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) programme.

This guide describes the mission, strategic themes, and operational approach of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), an alliance managed by six organizations to help developing countries implement climate-compatible development activities.

This fact sheet describes the mission, strategic themes, and operational achievements of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), an alliance of six organisations dedicated to helping developing countries implement climate compatible development.

This policy brief introduces 'Minimum Standards' designed to transition local disaster risk reduction (DRR) from 'business as usual' to 'climate-smart' practices. The standards aim to bridge the gap between national climate adaptation strategies and local capacities by providing practical, achievable benchmarks for communities, civil society organizations, and governments to integrate changing climate risks into their planning and implementation.