Search Climate Insights Directory

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs provides a practical guide and critical analysis of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), drawing on the experiences of 'pioneer' countries. It details the official guidance documents, the structural requirements for national implementation, and a comprehensive set of 80 lessons for success aimed at improving the process's transparency, inclusivity, and effectiveness.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) examines the global state of Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP). It analyzes legal frameworks, national and international programs, and the specific challenges faced by emerging and developing economies in integrating environmental, social, and economic criteria into public purchasing.

This research paper analyzes the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as a tool for democratic institution building. It finds that while the APRM aims to foster transparency and dialogue, its progress is stalled by a lack of political will, technical capacity gaps, and financial shortages. The author argues that African governments often act as gate-keepers, limiting genuine public participation and the implementation of recommendations. The paper highlights the disparity in progress among member states, noting that by 2007, only Ghana had completed the full review process.

This report examines how the consolidation and increased market power of global supermarket chains affect global supply chains, specifically focusing on the challenges and opportunities for smallholder farmers in the developing world, with a particular emphasis on the fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) sector in sub-Saharan Africa.

This research paper by Prince Mashele of the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), contrasting it with previous African socio-economic initiatives. The author argues that NEPAD differs from its predecessors through its acceptance of globalisation, its defined administrative structures, and the introduction of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to address domestic governance. While the paper notes progress in policy development and specific infrastructure and agricultural projects, it highlights significant challenges regarding implementation capacity, funding gaps, and a lack of continent-wide political ownership.

The research paper argues that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are insufficient for developing Africa because they focus on the symptoms of poverty rather than the underlying causes of economic stagnation. The author contends that by prioritizing measurable social targets over growth and productivity, the MDGs create an opportunity cost that diverts resources from essential commercial infrastructure, technical skills, and governance reforms. To address these gaps, the document proposes a set of 'African Millennium Growth Goals' focused on infrastructure, rural economies, skills, financial systems, and the rule of law.

This report by Friends of the Earth International argues that World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and regional free trade agreements prioritize corporate profit over environmental sustainability and human rights, leading to the loss of livelihoods for millions of small-scale farmers, fishers, and indigenous peoples. The document details how trade liberalization facilitates the privatization of natural resources, undermines food sovereignty, and exacerbates climate change and desertification across various global regions.

This inaugural address by the National Director of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) argues that Africa's development depends on internal accountability, leadership, and a shift away from aid-dependency. The author highlights the rise of China and India as shifting global power dynamics and urges African states to implement industrial strategies to avoid a new 'scramble' for raw materials. The speech emphasizes the role of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the need for a vibrant civil society to hold governments accountable.

This 2005 report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) examines the critical link between environmental degradation and rural poverty. It argues that neoliberal economic models, characterized by privatization and industrial exploitation of natural resources, exacerbate poverty by stripping local communities of their self-determination and access to essential resources. The document presents various case studies from the Global South and North to demonstrate that poverty eradication is possible when communities maintain control over their natural assets through sustainable, community-led management and the recognition of environmental rights.

This report by Friends of the Earth International argues that poverty, particularly in rural areas, is inextricably linked to environmental degradation and the loss of community control over natural resources. It critiques neoliberal economic models, trade liberalization, and industrial agriculture for exacerbating poverty and ecological collapse, while presenting various community-led case studies as sustainable alternatives for poverty eradication.

This research paper chapter examines the negative dimensions of diaspora networking, specifically how migrants can facilitate organized crime, money laundering, and the financing of terrorism and armed struggles in Africa south of the Sahara. It analyzes the prevalence of informal remittance systems, the specific case of Nigerian criminal syndicates, and the socio-political drivers of xenophobia and immigration restrictions.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the evolution of corporate governance in South Africa, focusing on the influence of the King Reports and the country's role as a model for other African nations. It details the transition from a closed, racially-exclusive economy to a liberalised market with sophisticated governance codes, while highlighting ongoing challenges in enforcement capacity and the complexities of black economic empowerment.

This research paper argues that the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are insufficient for developing Africa because they focus on the symptoms of poverty rather than the underlying causes of economic stagnation. The author contends that the MDGs act as a 'political camouflage' that diverts resources away from growth-oriented investments. To address this, the paper proposes a comprehensive set of 'African Millennium Growth Goals' focused on commercial infrastructure, rural economy investment, technical skills, financial reform, and the removal of bureaucratic and corrupt obstacles to business.

The report 'Back to the Blackboard' examines the education crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, arguing that the narrow focus on Universal Primary Education (UPE) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has neglected secondary education and compromised instructional quality. It highlights systemic failures including teacher shortages, poor salaries, corruption, and the devastating impact of HIV/Aids. The document advocates for a comprehensive strategy that integrates secondary schooling, vocational training, and curriculum reform to drive economic growth, drawing lessons from East Asia's successful integration of human capital development and industrial planning.

This December 2003 report by Friends of the Earth International argues that International Financial Institutions (IFIs), including multilateral development banks and bilateral export credit agencies, should phase out funding for the extractive industries. The document contends that IFI-supported oil, gas, and mining projects frequently lead to environmental disasters, human rights abuses, and the marginalization of indigenous peoples, while failing to alleviate poverty in resource-rich developing nations.

This report by Friends of the Earth International argues that international financial institutions (IFIs) should cease funding extractive industries—specifically oil, gas, and mining—due to their devastating impacts on local communities, human rights, and the global environment. Through multiple case studies across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, the document illustrates how public funding for these projects often exacerbates poverty, fuels corruption, and contributes to climate change, while providing minimal economic benefit to host countries.

This report by Friends of the Earth International and the International Rivers Network (IRN) argues that large hydroelectric dams should be excluded from renewable energy initiatives. It contends that large-scale hydro projects fail to support sustainable development, harm ecosystems and people, and undermine energy security, whereas decentralized renewable energy technologies provide a more effective path toward poverty eradication and climate mitigation.

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 briefing by Friends of the Earth International examines the theories, institutions, and impacts of the global trade system, arguing that its core principles are fundamentally flawed and prioritize economic growth and corporate interests over environmental sustainability, social equity, and human development.

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.