Search Climate Insights Directory

The REGULATING AND ENABLING INNOVATION R3LAB TOOLKIT is a practical guide published by FSD Africa in June 2024 to help insurance regulators in Africa balance the promotion of innovation with consumer protection. It provides a structured framework for conducting innovation gap and ecosystem assessments, introduces a diverse set of regulatory, supervisory, engagement, and monitoring tools, and offers guidance on converting these into actionable workplans with measurable KPIs.

The Stockholm Environment Institute's (SEI) Finance for Sustainable Development (FSD) Program, established in 2022, focuses on bridging the gap between micro-level business viability and macro-level climate and development finance policies. The program specifically targets low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs) to identify how sustainable projects can generate private economic value and attract private-sector investment through research, advisory services, and training.

This fact sheet by Zero Carbon Analytics explains the mechanics, predictions, and regional impacts of La Niña, the cool phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. It details the likelihood of a transition to La Niña in 2024, the increasing frequency of multi-year events, and how human-caused climate change influences these phenomena without offsetting overall global warming.

WRI reports that record-breaking rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, has affected nearly 1.5 million people, highlighting a systemic failure in government risk mitigation and disaster prevention. The document argues that while global greenhouse gas emissions drive these extreme events, Brazil's resilience has been weakened by dismantled environmental laws and inadequate urban planning. WRI calls for a shift toward nature-based infrastructure, integrated state-municipal cooperation, and climate financing for the most vulnerable populations.

The 'Toolkit for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for NAP Processes' provides government actors with practical guidance and over 30 country examples to establish MEL systems. These systems are designed to ensure National Adaptation Plans are effective and equitable, while supporting reporting requirements under the Paris Agreement and the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative examines the role of sustainable debt and climate transition finance in the agri-food sector, specifically focusing on crop and livestock production. It analyzes the current state of the sustainable debt market, the necessity of reaching smallholder farmers, and the development of science-based Sector Criteria to guide investments toward net-zero goals and deforestation-free sourcing.

The April 2024 report by Global Energy Monitor and partners reveals that while global coal capacity reached a record 2,130 GW in 2023, there is a stark divide: China continues to expand its fleet, while most other countries are reducing new construction. The report highlights that only 15% of operational capacity has retirement plans aligned with the 1.5°C goal. Regional analysis shows significant progress in the EU and UK, stability in Sub-Saharan Africa (dominated by South Africa), and a lack of new projects in the MENA region.

The April 2024 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines critical challenges within the African Union's (AU) peace and security architecture. It analyzes the potential restoration of the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS), the political implications of Chad's May 2024 election, the security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the strategic priorities of Egypt upon rejoining the Peace and Security Council (PSC).

This report is a country study on Zambia, part of a broader series titled "From Climate Risk to Resilience" produced by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) for the African Climate Foundation (ACF). It outlines a framework for analyzing climate change impacts across four areas: climate profile projections, economic sector implications, existing government adaptation measures, and strategic recommendations for funding and resilience.

The FSD Africa Official Travel & Expense Policy (Version 4.0), effective March 6, 2024, establishes the principles and rules for travel and reimbursement for all personnel, including staff, Board and Committee members, contractors, and consultants. The policy aims to balance staff welfare and security with a commitment to reducing CO2 emissions and the responsible use of public funds, specifically targeting that travel and expense costs remain within 2% of overall operational budgeted expenses.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) has released its Strategy Summary & Implementation Plan for 2023–2027, which outlines a framework to achieve systemic social and economic change. The strategy focuses on producing critical knowledge, shifting economic discourse, and supporting collective power to advance economic justice in South Africa and across the African continent, with a specific emphasis on feminist and intersectional analytical lenses.

The March 2024 Peace & Security Council Report examines the transition of the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC) membership, the critical security situation in Abyei, the operational challenges of the African Standby Force (ASF), ongoing AU institutional reforms, and the response of ECOWAS to unconstitutional changes of government in West Africa.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute analyzes the outcomes of COP 28 in Dubai, assessing how the agreements and financial commitments align with the priorities of African nations and civil society organizations. It evaluates progress on the Loss and Damage fund, adaptation finance, the transition away from fossil fuels, and food system resilience, concluding that while historic agreements were reached, the scale of financial commitments remains insufficient to meet Africa's urgent climate needs.

This research paper by Facundo Calvo analyzes the agriculture negotiations for the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), arguing that success depends on moving beyond non-binding declarations toward binding commitments. The author focuses on the potential for an exemption from export restrictions for least developed countries (LDCs) and the deep divisions among WTO members regarding domestic support and public stockholding.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of the G20 in supporting Africa's energy transition and climate financing. It critiques the Indonesian and Indian G20 presidencies for failing to address Africa's specific needs, noting a significant gap between the continent's climate funding requirements and actual inflows. The document proposes a strategic agenda for the upcoming Brazilian and South African presidencies, focusing on increasing the flow and quality of climate finance, reforming debt treatments, and enhancing participation in carbon markets.

This report by the African Future Policies Hub, APRI, and LSE assesses the economic impacts of a proposed global shipping carbon tax on African states. Using a CGE model and a case study of Ghana, the authors find that while GDP impacts are limited, a shipping levy would increase commodity prices, reduce household incomes, and exacerbate existing freight cost imbalances for African nations. The report recommends that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopt measures that allow for the redistribution of revenues as direct grants to climate-vulnerable countries for out-of-sector mitigation and resilience projects.

This report by Krutham, commissioned by the African Climate Foundation, examines the role of the insurance sector in enhancing climate resilience in South Africa. It analyzes the physical and transition risks facing insurers, the gaps in national and municipal disaster risk financing, and the potential for innovative insurance products—such as index-based and microinsurance—to protect vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

This training manual, developed by the Ministry of Planning and Development (MoPD) of Ethiopia with support from the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), provides a comprehensive guide for facilitators to integrate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) into the design and implementation of national development and climate change initiatives. It outlines a structured eight-session training module covering basic GESI concepts, gender analysis tools, gender-responsive budgeting, and organizational transformation, with a specific focus on the intersection of gender and climate change resilience.

This policy brief outlines how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries can use a 'gender lens'—business models and operations that promote women's economic empowerment—to enhance the sustainability and climate impact of low-carbon technologies. Drawing on the Gender Equality in a Low Carbon World (GLOW) programme (2021–24), the document provides evidence from Africa and Latin America showing that addressing gender-specific barriers in sectors like aquaculture and agriculture leads to improved productivity, increased revenues, and better market access.

This policy brief outlines how integrating a gender perspective into low-carbon and climate-resilient small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries enhances economic sustainability, productivity, and climate impact. Drawing on the Gender Equality in a Low Carbon World (GLOW) program (2021-24), the document demonstrates that addressing gender barriers in sectors like agriculture and aquaculture is a strategic success factor for climate-smart businesses.