Search Climate Insights Directory

This executive summary, published by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) and the Heinrich Böll Foundation, analyzes how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can be leveraged to support Africa's green transition. It argues that while the AfCFTA agreement contains minimal environmental references, it can be adjusted to eliminate trade barriers for environmental goods and services. The document emphasizes the need for a phased decarbonization approach for fossil-fuel-dependent nations and recommends that development partners increase climate financing and align initiatives like the European Green Deal with African realities to avoid duplicating existing continental climate strategies.

This policy brief argues that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) cannot reach its full potential without a unified industrial policy to address systemic supply-side constraints. The author contends that the current landscape of overlapping national, regional, and continental policies creates coordination failures and proposes a consolidated strategy focusing on pooled infrastructure resources, regional product specialisation, SME growth, clean energy, and indigenous technology.

The report 'Boom and Bust Coal 2022' tracks the global coal plant pipeline, highlighting a stark divergence between China's continued expansion and a broader global trend toward phasing out coal. While COP26 commitments significantly increased the number of plants with phase-out dates, China's surge in new construction and the persistence of 'clean coal' narratives in some OECD countries challenge the 1.5 degree Celsius warming target.

The report 'BOOM AND BUST 2022' by Global Energy Monitor and partners analyzes the global state of coal-fired power plants as of April 2022. It highlights a stark divergence: while many OECD and non-OECD countries are committing to end new coal construction and accelerate closures to meet Paris Agreement goals, China continues to expand its coal capacity significantly, offsetting global reductions.

This document is a formal appeal submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) on behalf of four appellants—Earthlife Africa, groundWork, the Mining and Environmental Justice Community Network of South Africa, and Dzomo La Mupo—to the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET). The appeal seeks to set aside Environmental Authorisation (EA) No. 12/1/9/2-V79, granted on 23 February 2022 to the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SOC) Ltd (MMSEZ). The EA allows for the site clearance of 3,863 hectares of indigenous vegetation and the development of bulk infrastructure in the Vhembe District of Limpopo. The appellants argue that the EA is unlawful due to procedural irregularities, a lack of authority by the decision-maker, failure to assess cumulative and climate impacts, and the disregard of cultural heritage and water scarcity issues.

This report evaluates progress toward Goal 9 of the New York Declaration on Forests, which focuses on rewarding countries and jurisdictions that reduce forest emissions through results-based finance and private-sector sourcing.

This February 2022 report from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the composition and challenges of the newly elected African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC), the outcomes of the February 2022 AU Summit regarding governance and conflict prevention, and the ongoing debate over equitable regional representation within the Council. It also examines the tensions between the African Union and the European Union regarding the green energy transition and critiques the application of the principle of subsidiarity in the relationship between the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

Natural Justice (NJ) submitted a critique of the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy's (DMRE) Gas Master Plan Base Case report on January 31, 2022. NJ argues that the plan is incompatible with climate commitments, lacks sufficient risk analysis regarding financial and environmental costs, and fails to provide adequate mechanisms for public participation and community compensation.

This report presents a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) assessment of planned reforestation and water retention wells in Indonesia's Brantas River basin, demonstrating that nature-based infrastructure is more cost-effective than traditional reservoirs and provides significant societal benefits.

This fact sheet, produced by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), synthesizes findings from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) specifically for Southern Africa. It details observed climate changes, future projections, and the resulting impacts on health, biodiversity, food systems, and economies, while outlining adaptation strategies and critical investment needs for the region.

This factsheet, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network in 2022, distils findings from the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report specifically for southern Africa. It details observed climate changes, future risks to health, food systems, and economies, and outlines adaptation strategies and critical investment areas needed to build regional resilience.

The COP27 Resilience Hub Synthesis Report outlines the outcomes and key messages from the Resilience Hub at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh. The Hub serves as a physical and virtual space to mobilise ambition and investment for climate resilience, acting as the home for the UN-backed Race to Resilience campaign. The report synthesises findings across nine thematic areas and four regional hubs, emphasizing the need for locally-led adaptation, increased and diversified finance, and the integration of arts and culture into resilience strategies.

This report chapter analyzes the growth of the lower-middle-income population in high-impact countries in 2022, highlighting the risks associated with their potential purchase of inefficient cooling devices and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on income levels.

This report section analyzes the increasing vulnerability of the urban poor to extreme heat across 54 high-impact countries in 2022, highlighting a rise in the population at high risk due to lack of access to cooling.

This report examines the critical role of sustainable cooling and electricity in health services, focusing on vaccine cold chains, the management of temperature-sensitive medical products, and the need for temperature regulation in hospitals and clinics to improve patient care and resilience against heat stress.

This report section analyzes the growth of the rural poor population lacking access to cooling across 54 high-impact countries in 2022, highlighting the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in increasing extreme poverty despite improvements in electricity access.

This guide and factsheet from WWF South Africa and the Anglican Church of Southern Africa provides educational resources for youth on environmental stewardship. It specifically details the three main aquifers supplying Cape Town (Table Mountain Group, Cape Flats, and Atlantis) and explains the hydrological process of groundwater filtration. The document advocates for sustainable water use and the protection of aquifers against over-extraction and pollution, framing environmental care as a spiritual mandate.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International arguing that 'Nature-based Solutions' (NbS) are a form of corporate greenwashing used by governments and companies to avoid deep emission cuts, potentially leading to land grabbing and human rights violations in the Global South.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) provides guidance and lessons for Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states on enhancing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It emphasizes the need for inclusive stakeholder engagement, alignment with long-term development goals, and the use of quantifiable targets and evidence-based analysis to increase climate ambition and ensure effective implementation.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the intersection of COVID-19 recovery and climate finance, arguing that the pandemic recovery period offers a critical window to 'build back better' through sustainable investment. It highlights the failure of developed nations to meet the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge and emphasizes the specific needs of African countries for increased adaptation funding and systemic reform of the global finance architecture.