Search Climate Insights Directory

This T20 policy brief argues that the global green transition is becoming unstable and incoherent due to a 'polycrisis' of interlinked challenges. It proposes that the G20 establish a multilateral framework for 'structural green transition policies'—defined as systemic, long-lasting, and general-purpose reforms—to coordinate investment, reduce policy risk, and provide concessional financing, particularly for the Global South.

This report examines the relationship between the African Union (AU) and civil society organisations (CSOs) over the last 20 years, focusing on governance, peace, and security. While the AU has established institutional frameworks to facilitate engagement, the report finds that CSO participation remains unpredictable and often restricted, particularly in political processes and high-level summits. It highlights the critical technical and research contributions of CSOs while identifying systemic barriers, including shrinking civic space in member states and bureaucratic hurdles within AU organs like ECOSOCC.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the effectiveness of African Union (AU) mechanisms, specifically the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the Africa Governance Report (AGR), in improving governance across Africa. The author concludes that governance standards have generally remained static or declined since 1996, and that while APRM membership correlates with better performance, the review process itself does not guarantee improvement.

This research paper examines the historical and contemporary health cooperation between Germany and African nations, arguing that these relations remain unequal and lack reciprocity. The author contends that while Germany promotes multilateralism and health security, its actions often prioritize economic interests and security over the public health needs and autonomy of African partners, calling for a decolonial shift toward health and climate justice.

This case study discusses the role of coordinated investment promotion and regional value chains in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), specifically highlighting the proposed Pan-African Trade and Investment Agency and the potential for growth in the automotive sector.

This briefing by the Global Climate and Health Alliance argues that climate change and biodiversity loss are the primary global health threats of the 21st century, but that integrating health into climate policy presents a significant opportunity to reduce emissions and improve public health. It details the direct and indirect health risks of warming—including heat-related mortality, air pollution, infectious disease spread, and food system collapse—while highlighting that the health co-benefits of decarbonisation and meeting Paris Agreement goals can substantially offset the economic costs of climate action.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the barriers and success factors for attracting private sector capital into urban climate investments in emerging economies. It identifies obstacles across macro, city, and project levels and provides a framework of recommendations for city governments, public sector partners, and private/third sector entities to improve local enabling conditions.

This policy brief outlines the growing climate finance gap in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) and least developed countries (LDCs). It recommends that G7 countries utilize blended finance, debt-for-climate swaps, and MDB reforms to lower the cost of capital and mobilize private investment. Additionally, it calls for the harmonization of green industrial policies to prevent protectionism and the implementation of universal disaster index insurance to protect vulnerable populations.

This research paper examines ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) interventions in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) coastal region, focusing on how these projects can provide livelihood opportunities and be scaled. The authors identify an incremental, community-led model—starting with periodic fishery closures to meet immediate food needs before expanding to broader conservation—as a highly effective approach for achieving sustainable outcomes.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a legal argument to the High Court of South Africa stating that, as a registered and accredited law clinic that provides free legal services and does not handle client funds or property, it is legally entitled to litigate without a fidelity fund certificate or a trust account.

In a speech delivered at the South African Institute of International Affairs on 26 April 2023, President Sauli Niinistö of Finland addresses the intersection of global crises, including climate change, food insecurity, and the war in Ukraine. He emphasizes the necessity of international cooperation, the importance of a fair climate transition for Africa, and Finland's decision to join NATO in response to Russian aggression.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity source trends in 2022, detailing the growth of renewables like solar and wind, the continued dominance and record highs of coal, and the fluctuations in hydro, nuclear, gas, and bioenergy generation. It compares current trends against the IEA Net Zero Emissions scenario to highlight the growth rates required to limit global warming to 1.5C.

This research paper examines the evolution of German-African energy relations, tracing the shift from a primary focus on development cooperation and energy poverty to a more complex framework involving energy diplomacy, technology-driven cooperation, and strategic geopolitical interests. The author analyzes the tensions between 'green' and 'fossilist' objectives, the risks associated with the roll-out of hydrogen diplomacy, and the trend toward the financialization of development through multi-stakeholder partnerships.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and its partners analyzes the global state of coal-fired power plants as of April 2023. It highlights a stark divergence between China, where coal capacity is expanding rapidly, and the rest of the world, where new projects are declining. While the report notes that the 'return of coal' in Europe due to the energy crisis was minimal, it emphasizes that current retirement rates are insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals, particularly in non-OECD countries.

This document is a Korean translation of excerpts from the 'Boom Bust Coal 2023' report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) and its partners. It analyzes global coal power trends in 2022, highlighting a divergence between a general global decline in coal expansion and a significant surge in China's coal capacity. The report also provides a detailed critique of South Korea's coal phase-out plans, financial risks associated with coal dependency, and the need for a 'just transition' for affected regions.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and its partners analyzes the state of global coal-fired power generation as of April 2023. It details a diverging trend where coal capacity is declining in most of the world—particularly in the US and EU—while China continues a massive expansion of new plants. The document evaluates the alignment of national commitments with the Paris Agreement and provides regional updates on coal phase-outs and new developments, with a specific focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.

This report, published by Global Energy Monitor and several partner organizations, analyzes the state of global coal-fired power plants as of April 2023. It highlights a divergence between China, where coal capacity is expanding rapidly, and the rest of the world, where development is generally declining. While the report notes that the end of coal is approaching globally, it warns that the current pace of phase-out is insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals, particularly in non-OECD countries.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the 20-year history of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It details the mechanism's evolution from its 2003 inception to its current status as an AU-incorporated body with 43 member states, while highlighting systemic failures in implementation, slow review throughput, and the limited impact of its recommendations on overall continental governance.

The Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) is a plurilateral WTO initiative involving over 110 members aimed at increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) through improved transparency and streamlined administration. While significant progress has been made on 'clean text' regarding publication requirements and administrative efficiency, key disputes remain over the scope of the agreement (FDI vs. portfolio investment), the establishment of a funding facility, and the legal architecture for its integration into the WTO rulebook. The agreement includes special and differential treatment for developing countries and LDCs, though some members, including India and South Africa, oppose the plurilateral process.

This guide provides strategies for Project Preparation Facilities (PPFs) to help small and intermediary cities—defined as those with 10,000 to 200,000 residents—access climate finance. It addresses critical barriers such as limited municipal capacity, small project sizes that deter investors, and poor creditworthiness, which prevents borrowing on commercial terms. The document recommends tailored PPF interventions, including specific calls for proposals, project aggregation models, blended finance, and community-based funding instruments to unlock investment for low-carbon and resilient infrastructure.