Search Climate Insights Directory

This directory, compiled by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) with financial support from Denmark, provides an inventory of assistance and capacity-building programmes available to African states in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) areas. It details the offers of nearly 50 states, various international and regional organisations, and civil society entities, primarily within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 and other international non-proliferation treaties.

The 'Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground: A Declaration for the Health of Mother Earth' is a November 2015 statement signed by numerous international organizations and activists. It calls for an immediate end to fossil fuel extraction, exploration, and subsidization to address the climate crisis and protect the rights of nature and Indigenous peoples, advocating for a transition to 100% renewable energy.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines six critical areas of climate finance to monitor during the COP 21 negotiations in Paris. It emphasizes the need for developed countries to meet the $100 billion annual funding goal by 2020, the importance of increasing adaptation funding, and the necessity of transparent reporting and a predictable finance cycle to support developing nations.

This World Resources Institute working paper analyzes four scenarios to determine how developed countries can meet the 2009 Copenhagen commitment to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 for climate action in developing countries. The analysis projects that reaching the target will likely require a combination of public finance sources and leveraged private sector investment, while noting a persistent imbalance where mitigation finance far outweighs adaptation finance.

This report analyzes Energy Savings Insurance (ESI), a financial instrument developed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and BASE to mitigate the risk of underperformance in energy efficiency projects for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in developing countries.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how fossil-fuel subsidies act as a barrier to the deployment of renewable electricity. It argues that these subsidies impair the cost competitiveness of renewables, reinforce the dominance of incumbent fossil-fuel systems, and distort investment decisions. The document advocates for fossil-fuel subsidy reform and the pricing of environmental externalities to create a more sustainable energy system.

Friends of the Earth International terminated the membership of Amici della Terra (Friends of the Earth Italy) in October 2014, citing a divergence in their respective visions of environmental justice and missions after 36 years of affiliation.

The Biennial General Assembly of Friends of the Earth International (ATI) decided to revoke the membership of Amici della Terra (Amigos de la Tierra Italia) in October 2014.

The Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) Biennial General Meeting decided in October 2014 to discontinue the membership of Amici della Terra/Friends of the Earth Italy due to diverging visions of environmental justice.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines agricultural cooperatives as a model for inclusive investment. It details the types of cooperatives, their benefits for smallholders, the role of foreign investment in reducing risk and improving skills, and the necessary government support and legal frameworks to ensure their success without undue state interference.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that national economic decision-making is overly reliant on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and fails to adequately measure 'natural capital' and 'inclusive wealth'. The author contends that shifting focus toward a portfolio of produced, financial, natural, human, and social assets would promote long-term sustainability and better integrate economic, environmental, and social development goals.

This case study examines Nakara, a Namibian leather manufacturing company founded in 1980, detailing its operational structure, export markets, and the systemic regulatory and financial barriers it faces when trading with South Africa and other regions.

The Prosol program in Tunisia successfully scaled the adoption of solar water heaters (SWHs) by combining capital subsidies, concessional credit, and a strategic risk-sharing mechanism. Between 2005 and 2010, it leveraged USD 24.2 million in public funds to attract USD 110 million in private investment, installing approximately 119,000 systems. A critical success factor was the involvement of the state utility, STEG, which acted as a debt collector and guarantor, reducing credit risk for commercial banks and lowering interest rates for households. The program not only reduced CO2 emissions by 715 Kt over the systems' lifespans but also generated a net fiscal gain for the Tunisian government by reducing fossil fuel subsidy expenditures by an estimated USD 101 million over the long term.

This report analyzes the state of the global securitization markets as of May 2012, examining whether recent activity in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and trade finance signals a recovery that could eventually benefit climate finance. ItS It discusses how bank recapitalization pressures have reduced renewable energy lending, which relies on banks for 95% of project finance globally, making the development of securitized clean energy assets vital for recycling capital. The report evaluates market trends in Europe and the United States, the impact of regulatory frameworks like Basel III and Solvency II, and the role of standardization initiatives like the Climate Bond Standard and the Prime Collateralised Securities Initiative (PCSI).

This briefing synthesises the IPCC SREX report's findings on climate extremes and the agriculture sector. It highlights that disaster risk is increasing due to higher exposure and vulnerability, particularly in developing countries. Key threats include intensified droughts, heatwaves, and flooding, which cause significant economic losses and threaten food security. The document advocates for 'climate-smart' agriculture, improved disaster risk management, and a combination of short-term coping strategies and long-term structural adaptations to build resilience.

This technical policy briefing note from the ClimateCost project assesses the potential health impacts and economic costs of climate change in Europe, specifically focusing on heat-related mortality, food-borne diseases, coastal flooding, and labour productivity. It compares a medium-to-high emission scenario (A1B) with a mitigation scenario (E1) and evaluates the role of adaptation and autonomous acclimatisation in reducing these risks.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the internal, regional, and international security implications following the death of Muammar Gaddafi on 20 October 2011. It examines the challenges facing the National Transitional Council (NTC) in managing armed militias and oil revenues, the risk of arms proliferation across the Sahel and Maghreb, and the geopolitical opportunities for South Africa and the African Union (AU) to influence the transition and strengthen regional security mechanisms.

This technical policy briefing note from the ClimateCost project assesses the potential economic impacts of river flooding in the European Union (EU27) under different climate and socio-economic scenarios. Using the LISFLOOD model, the study evaluates expected annual damage (EAD) and the number of people affected (EAP), while analyzing the costs and benefits of maintaining flood protection levels. The findings emphasize that socio-economic growth is as significant a driver of future flood costs as climate change, and that adaptation can significantly reduce direct damages.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) at DIW Berlin analyzes the challenges and policy instruments required to meet the German government's goals for energy-efficient building renovations. Based on a survey of 2,000 households, it identifies barriers across three phases of the decision-making process—initial interest, planning, and implementation—and suggests improvements in information delivery, financial incentives, and craftsman certification to increase both the rate and scope of renovations.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative evaluates the potential for tax incentives to support thermal retrofits in Germany, comparing them with existing KfW loan and grant programs and international experiences from Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States.