Search Climate Insights Directory

The NAP Global Network 2020–2021 Progress Report details the activities of a network dedicated to supporting developing countries in formulating and implementing National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). During the reporting period (December 2020 to November 2021), the Network shifted toward providing rapid, short-term technical assistance via its Country Support Hub and focused on integrating gender, health, and finance into adaptation planning to accelerate climate-resilient recovery.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs assesses the economic policy responses of low-income countries (LICs) in Africa to the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that while these countries employed expansionary fiscal and monetary tools, the scale and quality of their responses were modest compared to developed and middle-income nations due to pre-existing structural bottlenecks, high debt, and limited fiscal space. The document emphasizes the need for a data-driven recovery approach, increased digital and financial inclusion, and the continued importance of official development assistance, particularly for fragile states.

The FSD Africa Impact Report documents the organization's efforts since 2012 to reduce poverty in sub-Saharan Africa by strengthening financial markets. It details achievements in financial inclusion, capital market development, and institutional capacity building, while outlining a strategic shift toward 'FSD 2.0' to focus on jobs, basic services, and sustainable futures in response to challenges like Covid-19 and climate change.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies provides a scenario analysis of the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on Africa through 2030. Using the International Futures (IFs) forecasting platform, it examines three economic recovery paths (V, U, and L-shaped) and their effects on GDP, poverty, health expenditure, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis concludes that the pandemic is likely to undo several years of development progress, increase extreme poverty, and exacerbate debt sustainability issues across the continent.

This special report analyzes the initial response to COVID-19 in Africa, examining the vulnerabilities of the continent's health systems, the various mitigation strategies adopted by different nations, and the challenges of implementing lockdowns in contexts of high poverty and informality.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the systemic human development crisis caused by COVID-19 in Africa as of July 2020. It examines the tension between economic mitigation and health risks, the specific vulnerabilities of energy-exporting nations, the potential for digital and green energy leapfrogging, and the risk of a debt crisis compounded by falling tax revenues and remittances.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the systemic barriers preventing women's meaningful participation in Africa's maritime sector. It argues that the maritime environment remains heavily male-dominated due to cultural, structural, and workplace obstacles, and suggests that the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda could provide a framework for increasing gender inclusion.

This policy brief examines the African Peer Review Mechanism's (APRM) goal of achieving universal accession by 2023, arguing that the organization must prioritize clearing its backlog of unreviewed members and improving the implementation of governance reforms over simply increasing membership numbers.

This policy brief examines the application of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) in the African mining sector, specifically for mineral traceability and due diligence. While these technologies offer a tamper-proof record of provenance, the authors argue that blockchain alone cannot guarantee ethical production and must be coupled with rigorous due diligence to prevent the exclusion of artisanal miners and the persistence of human rights abuses.

This briefing argues that private sector development in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) is not inherently peace-positive and can often increase fragility if not conflict-sensitive. It highlights the disincentives for businesses to engage in peacebuilding, including the risk of government reprisals and the potential loss of profits derived from unjust systems. The document calls for 'systems shapers'—those who finance and regulate the private sector—to prioritize corporate accountability and move away from 'de-risking' strategies that decouple corporate risk from socio-political impacts.

This report, produced by DMA Global for FSD Africa, examines the drivers and barriers influencing the migration of remittance senders from cash-based agent services to digital channels for transfers from the UK to Africa. Based on focus group discussions (FGDs) with 74 members of various African diaspora communities in London, the report finds that while online service usage has surged in some communities, a strong 'stickiness' to cash remains in others, often linked to the quality of digital payment infrastructure in the receive-country.

An open statement by Friends of the Earth International and the World Rainforest Movement, signed by over 100 organizations, denouncing the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) for failing to eliminate violence and environmental destruction in the industrial palm oil sector over 14 years.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International and the World Rainforest Movement, signed by over 100 organizations, denouncing the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) for failing to eliminate violence and environmental destruction over 14 years of operation.

A statement signed by over 100 organizations criticizing the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) for failing to eliminate violence and environmental destruction over 14 years. The document argues that the RSPO serves as a 'greenwashing' tool for the industrial palm oil sector, masking human rights violations and deforestation while facilitating the industry's expansion.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies compares peacebuilding and inclusivity efforts in Liberia and South Sudan to provide practical recommendations for the United Nations and other international actors on sustaining peace.

This report analyzes the effectiveness of peer learning and peer pressure within three Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives (MSIs): the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the Open Government Partnership (OGP), and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). It evaluates how these initiatives use mutual dialogue, best practices, and sanctions to improve governance, transparency, and accountability among member states.

This report details a civil society training workshop held on April 17-18, 2018, in Windhoek, Namibia. The event, part of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN), aimed to engage civil society in the Namibian APRM process. Organized by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), the workshop provided guidance on the APRM's structure, the importance of early civil society submissions, and lessons from other African nations.

This research paper examines the history and systemic challenges of sexual abuse and exploitation perpetrated by United Nations peacekeepers. It details the 'food-for-sex' scandals, the legal hurdles preventing the UN from prosecuting troops due to national jurisdiction, and the policy responses implemented to combat these crimes, including Resolution 2272.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines Liberia's transition to a peaceful democracy ahead of the October 2017 elections and the final drawdown of the UN peacekeeping mission (UNMIL) in March 2018. It argues that while Liberia has made progress, it requires a more coordinated approach to peacebuilding that leverages the comparative advantages of African regional and subregional organisations—such as the AU, ECOWAS, and the MRU—alongside traditional donors and the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC).

This fact sheet from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) outlines the evolution of China-Africa relations, tracing them from historical ties to contemporary economic, diplomatic, and security partnerships. It highlights the role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the shift in China's approach from 'non-interference' to active engagement in peace and security, while noting the impact of China's 'new normal' economic slowdown on bilateral trade and investment.