Search Climate Insights Directory

A retrospective report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) detailing ten years of the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (the Lab). The document analyzes the Lab's role as a market-builder and pipeline incubator, sharing lessons on balancing financial innovation with actionability to mobilize private capital for climate mitigation and adaptation in emerging markets.

The Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) report 'Tracking and Mobilizing Private Sector Climate Adaptation Finance' introduces a new methodology and taxonomy to better track private sector investments in climate adaptation. By utilizing a bespoke taxonomy and a machine learning model, CPI increased the annual average of tracked private adaptation finance for the 2019-2022 period from USD 1 billion to USD 4.7 billion. The report identifies significant data gaps, particularly among insurers and pension funds, and highlights that the majority of tracked project-level investment is concentrated in the water and sanitation sector.

This report by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) provides guidance on the design and implementation of trade-related circular economy policies and measures (TrCEMs). It aims to help governments create frameworks that achieve environmental and public health goals while minimizing trade costs and supporting fair transitions, particularly for developing countries.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyses the evolution of climate and energy cooperation between China and Africa within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). It tracks the shift from large-scale infrastructure and resource extraction projects toward "small and beautiful" green initiatives, while assessing how China's commitments align with Africa's strategic priorities for a just energy transition and climate resilience ahead of the September 2024 FOCAC summit.

This case study describes FSD Africa's initiative to integrate the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework into the African financial sector. The program focuses on building institutional capacity, advocating for an 'African voice' in global disclosure standards, and piloting the framework with FirstRand to ensure it is fit for the local context.

This case study evaluates the compliance of Sénégalaise des Filières Alimentaires (SFA), a small rice miller in Senegal, with the Committee on World Food Security’s Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI). While SFA shows moderate compliance and strong community loyalty, the report recommends formalizing its responsible investment strategy, improving health and safety enforcement, and adjusting pricing to be more competitive.

This case study evaluates the compliance of Mahembe, a small Rwandan agribusiness operating as a coffee cherry producer, green bean processor, and exporter, with the Committee on World Food Security’s Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI).

This case study evaluates the compliance of Tropic Coffee, a green bean processor and trader in Rwanda, with the Committee on World Food Security’s Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI).

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes how currency risk—specifically the mismatch between hard-currency debt and local-currency revenues—inhibits climate finance in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). It evaluates standard hedging tools and five innovative models designed to lower the cost of capital and deepen local financial markets to catalyze international private investment.

This report from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the activities and structural challenges of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC). It evaluates the performance of the fifth Panel of the Wise, the coordination between the PSC and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the resurgence of mercenarism in Africa, and the underutilization of policing in peace support operations. Additionally, it outlines the priorities of Cameroon during its chairship of the PSC.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the gap between Africa's vast renewable energy potential and its current capacity. It highlights the continent's critical role in the global energy transition due to its abundance of solar, wind, and hydro resources, as well as essential critical minerals. The document outlines systemic barriers to progress, including insufficient financing, a heavy reliance on imported technology, and a lack of local manufacturing. It proposes strategic interventions for the African Union and G20 to enhance technology transfer, mobilize climate finance, and integrate African nations into green value chains beyond the supply of raw materials.

A statement by Friends of the Earth Africa arguing that fossil fuel extraction in Africa serves global elites and imperial powers rather than local populations, and calling for a just transition based on community-owned renewable energy and the payment of ecological debts.

This policy brief examines China's role in transferring green technology to the Global South, highlighting its leadership in renewable energy and the mechanisms used to disseminate this technology. It analyzes the achievements of initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the South–South Climate Cooperation Fund, while identifying critical challenges including gaps between environmental commitments and actual impacts, limited local operational capacity, and geopolitical tensions.

The 'Assessing National Enabling Framework Conditions for Urban Climate Finance' is a guide and tool developed by the Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). It provides a standardized framework for national governments to evaluate and improve the regulatory, institutional, and financial conditions—referred to as Enabling Framework Conditions (EFCs)—that facilitate subnational governments' access to climate finance.

This policy brief examines how the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) and other international tax reforms impact the design and effectiveness of tax incentives within Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly in developing countries. It argues that excessive reliance on tax holidays and exemptions is often ineffective for long-term competitiveness and may now lead to revenue loss as the GMT allows other jurisdictions to collect top-up taxes. The document recommends transitioning toward cost-based incentives, improving non-fiscal investment environments, and coordinating national policy to mitigate legal risks associated with investor-state dispute settlements.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the impact of the Pillar Two global anti-base erosion (GloBE) rules on Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly in developing countries. It argues that the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) reduces the effectiveness of traditional corporate tax incentives, prompting a need for countries to shift toward non-fiscal incentives and sustainable investment models.

This policy brief examines the impact of the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules and the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) on Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly in developing countries. It argues that traditional income-based tax incentives used in SEZs are becoming less effective and may lead to revenue loss to other jurisdictions. The document recommends transitioning toward non-fiscal incentives, cost-based incentives, and better coordination between investment and tax authorities to maintain competitiveness while complying with international standards.

This policy brief examines China's role in transferring green technology to the Global South, highlighting its leadership in renewable energy and the mechanisms used to support sustainable development. While China has established numerous bilateral agreements and funds, the document identifies significant challenges including a gap between environmental commitments and actual impacts, limited local operational capacity, and geopolitical tensions.

This policy brief examines the current state and potential of renewable energy technologies in Africa, highlighting the gap between the continent's vast natural resources and its low installed capacity. It analyzes barriers to the energy transition, including financing shortages, reliance on imported technology, and the need for better integration into green value chains, while providing recommendations for the African Union and G20 to support a just transition.

This report, published by the Africa Policy Research Institute in 2023, examines the diverse narratives surrounding China's engagement in Africa. It challenges binary Western interpretations—which often frame China as either a benevolent partner or a predatory actor—by highlighting the agency of African states and the pragmatic ways they leverage Chinese finance and infrastructure for domestic goals. The document analyzes specific narrative contests, such as the 'debt-trap' discourse and the 'Indo-Pacific' strategic concept, arguing that African perspectives are often marginalized in global policy discussions.