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This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) outlines a strategic roadmap for implementing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) withinS within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The authors argue that while SADC has strong foundational payment systems, it faces systemic risks due to policy fragmentation and a lack of regulatory harmonisation, specifically regarding the AU Malabo Convention. The document proposes a 'Triple-A' agenda—accelerate, anchor, and assert—to drive inclusive digital transformation, leveraging lessons from India's 'security-by-design' and Brazil's 'brownfield' approach to digital sovereignty.

This policy brief by Jayati Ghosh for the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the drivers of global food insecurity, specifically the 'ratchet effect' where domestic food prices in low- and middle-income countries remain high even after global prices fall. The author argues that recent price spikes were driven by financial speculation and agribusiness profiteering rather than supply shortages, and proposes a series of strategic interventions including public buffer stocks, financial regulation of commodity markets, and capital flow management to protect vulnerable economies.

This report examines the impact of energy efficiency on electricity demand for cooling appliances in households at risk. It highlights that while expanding cooling access could significantly increase energy needs, the adoption of best-available technologies and passive building strategies can offset this demand and support sustainable energy transitions.

This report by Sustainable Energy for All analyzes how energy efficiency, specifically through Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), can expand access to cooling services for low-income households in high-impact countries by making appliances compatible with lower tiers of electricity supply.

This report by Sustainable Energy for All examines the critical role of cold chain logistics and reliable electricity access in the global rollout of vaccines, specifically highlighting how infrastructure gaps in low-income regions and Sub-Saharan Africa hinder the achievement of herd immunity.

The Global Tracking Framework, coordinated by the World Bank/ESMAP and the IEA, establishes a system of indicators to monitor progress toward three 2030 goals: universal access to modern energy services, doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvement, and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

This briefing describes the development and findings of a global Evidence Gap Map (EGM) on sustainable energy, co-funded by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and 3ie. The EGM systematically screens rigorous evidence on the causal effects of sustainable energy interventions in low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs) to support SDG 7 targets regarding energy access, efficiency, and renewables.

This executive summary, published by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), updates the 2018 'Chilling Prospects' study by analyzing cooling access across 52 climate-exposed countries. It advocates for a needs-based approach to sustainable cooling to protect vulnerable populations, ensure food and medicine security, and align with the Kigali Amendment and the Paris Agreement.

The executive summary of 'Energizing Finance: Understanding the Landscape 2021' analyzes energy finance commitments in 20 developing 'high-impact countries' (HICs) for 2019. It finds that investments for both electricity and clean cooking are critically insufficient to meet Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), with electricity finance declining in 2019 and clean cooking investment stagnating. The report emphasizes the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, a shift away from fossil fuels, and a more comprehensive, multi-technology approach to clean cooking to ensure a just energy transition.

This guide by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) defines and provides a framework for Energy Safety Nets (ESNs), which are government-led mechanisms designed to close the affordability gap for the poorest and most vulnerable people to access modern energy services, including electricity and clean cooking fuels.

This briefing outlines the mission, progress, and 2022 strategic priorities of the Energy Transition Council (ETC), an initiative designed to facilitate dialogue between developing countries and international actors to accelerate the transition to clean, affordable, and reliable power.

The G20 Energy Access Action Plan is a multi-phase voluntary collaboration framework designed to strengthen G20 member cooperation on energy access. The first phase specifically targets improving electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa through six strategic pillars: policy and regulatory environments, technology deployment, investment and finance, capacity building, regional integration, and coordination. The plan emphasizes sharing knowledge and good practices while respecting the sovereign right of nations to determine their own energy mix.

This research paper by Sustainable Energy for All presents a comprehensive framework of indicators to track gender equality and social inclusion within the energy transition, specifically focusing on electrification, clean cooking, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

This report provides a technical and practical guide to electric cooking (eCooking) appliances for use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It categorizes appliances into cooktops, self-contained units, and task-specific devices, evaluating them based on energy efficiency, power ratings, and cultural suitability. The document aims to assist programme planners and policymakers in selecting appropriate technologies to transition households from biomass fuels to clean energy, aligning with SDG 7 goals.

This guidebook by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) provides a comprehensive overview of career pathways in the sustainable energy and international development sectors. It details the organizational structure of SEforALL, outlining roles within internal operations and external programmes, and offers guidance on the educational backgrounds, technical skills, and soft skills required for interns and analysts. The document also describes SEforALL's remote recruitment process and its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the green energy workforce.

The 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) Compact Guidebook outlines a global effort to decarbonize electricity systems through five key principles: hourly time-matching, local procurement, technology inclusivity, additionality of new generation, and maximizing system impact. It provides a roadmap for energy buyers, suppliers, and governments to transition from annual carbon-free claims to a more granular, hourly matching system using tools like Granular Certificates and smart metering.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a narrow policy window to steer economic recovery toward a sustainable, net-zero emissions path. It warns against 'carbon lock-in'—where recovery measures entrench fossil fuel dependency—and proposes specific policy levers, such as conditional bailouts and just transition measures, to catalyse industrial transformation.

This policy brief from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) explains the critical links between air pollution, human health, and climate change. It argues that prioritizing the immediate health benefits of reducing air pollutants can drive the policy changes necessary to achieve the IPCC's 1.5°C warming goal. The document highlights the role of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) and introduces the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) and Integrated Benefits Calculator (IBC) as tools for cities and countries to plan integrated emission reduction strategies.

The policy brief argues that the 2020s represent a critical window for International Finance Institutions (IFIs) to prevent emerging economies—particularly India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Indonesia—from locking in high-carbon steel capacity. It proposes five intervention areas: providing policy knowledge, facilitating green hydrogen roadmaps, de-risking first-mover investments (including SMEs), utilizing green procurement in IFI operations, and scaling scrap-based circular production to reach a target of 50% of global output.

A report by the Stockholm Environment Institute and partners arguing that staying below a 2°C warming limit requires rapid global greenhouse gas emission reductions, reaching essentially zero by mid-century. It emphasizes the technical feasibility of this transition and the necessity of North-South cooperation to ensure developing nations can expand energy access while decarbonizing.