Search Climate Insights Directory

The African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) conducted various capacity-building initiatives, policy advocacy, and institutional partnerships in 2024 to address Africa's public debt burden, reform the global financial architecture, and promote sustainable debt management.

This research paper by the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) examines the relationship between escalating sovereign debt in Africa and the subsequent erosion of human rights. The authors argue that high debt-servicing obligations force governments to implement austerity measures and cut spending on essential public services, thereby compromising basic needs and hindering the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The paper analyzes debt trends, the impact of various relief initiatives, and the role of civil society, ultimately calling for a human rights-based approach to debt management and the cancellation of debts for highly indebted countries.

A case study on a CDKN-supported pilot project in Uganda that tested the 'A-B-C-D Rural Electrification' model. The project demonstrated the technical and commercial viability of a distributed off-grid power model serving anchor customers, businesses, community facilities, and domestic households.

Dr Shehnaaz Moosa of CDKN Africa describes the integration of resilience into infrastructure as a "wicked problem" and argues that climate change provides an incentive for governments to implement overdue infrastructure policies and practices.

The 'Regional Research Call – Africa START' document outlines a funding initiative managed by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) to support research on 'Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security' across Africa. The program focuses on the sustainability of ecosystem services, aiming to provide policy-relevant research, build regional research capacity, and facilitate knowledge sharing. The call is co-financed by the US National Science Foundation and the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) programme.

This document is a confirmatory affidavit and professional curriculum vitae submitted by David Ogier, an independent Climate, Risk, and GIS Specialist, to the High Court of South Africa Eastern Cape Division. Ogier confirms the accuracy of expert maps (FA 10 and FA 11) prepared for a legal matter involving the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and other respondents, including Shell Exploration and Production South Africa BV and BG International Limited.

The Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy for South Africa is a national roadmap designed to transition the country from a raw material supplier to a global hub for processed critical minerals and high-value end products. The strategy focuses on leveraging South Africa's vast reserves of platinum group metals, manganese, and vanadium to support the global energy transition, specifically in sectors like electric vehicles, green hydrogen, and renewable energy. It outlines six strategic pillars—geoscience mapping, value addition, R&D, infrastructure, financial instruments, and regulatory harmonisation—to drive industrialisation, job creation, and economic resilience while navigating complex geopolitical tensions and promoting regional integration within Africa.

This legal opinion by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the export of pesticides prohibited or not approved in Europe to countries in Africa and Central America is illegal under international law, regional agreements, and human rights obligations.

This research paper by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the World Bank's approach to governance, civil society, and human rights. It argues that the Bank's adherence to a narrow economic view of development, rooted in its Articles of Agreement, has led it to treat these critical social and political factors as mere instrumentalities for project goals rather than essential components of sustainable development.

This legal briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the export of pesticides banned or not approved in their countries of origin—specifically from Europe to Africa and Central America—violates international law, including the Basel Convention, the Bamako Convention, and the Central American Agreement, as well as international human rights obligations.

This guide, published by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) in November 1997, provides instructions for citizens on how to utilize the World Bank's Inspection Panel. It explains the Panel's role as an independent mechanism to hold the World Bank accountable for violations of its own operational policies and procedures, particularly regarding social and environmental impacts.

The Venture Finance Portfolio document provides a detailed overview of various investment funds and venture-building platforms supported by FSD Africa and FSDAi. These entities focus on scaling climate-tech, gender-lens investing, and financial inclusion across Africa, utilizing a mix of equity, grants, and debt to catalyze private capital and drive sustainable economic growth.

This fact sheet describes the partnership between FSD Africa and the Digital Frontiers Institute (DFI) from 2016 to 2021, aimed at closing the digital finance skills gap in low-middle income countries to improve the scale and sustainability of digital payment systems.

This executive summary details a study on sovereign debt management in the MEFMI region during the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that the crisis led to sharp GDP contractions and a significant increase in the average debt-to-GDP ratio (rising to 70.6% in 2020). Countries responded with policy rate cuts, tax exemptions, and increased reliance on Local Currency Bond Markets (LCBMs). While international initiatives like the G20's DSSI provided critical relief, the pandemic exposed a lack of business continuity planning and operational risk management in debt offices.

The Value for Money (VfM) Framework is a guide developed by FSD Africa to provide a consistent, practical structure for assessing and reporting on how resources are used within the Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) network. It employs an evaluative reasoning approach based on the 'Four Es' (Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Equity) and cost-effectiveness, using predefined criteria and performance standards (rubrics) to make robust judgements from mixed-methods evidence.

The Economics for Nature (E4N) report details a six-year global partnership (2016-2022) led by the Green Economy Coalition, the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership, the Capitals Coalition, and WWF France. The programme aimed to shift economic systems toward 'nature positive' models by making the value of natural capital visible in business, finance, and government decision-making. The report outlines key tools developed, lessons learned regarding the challenges of mainstreaming natural capital, and four 'frontiers' for future systemic economic reform to protect biodiversity and human wellbeing.

This statement from the Green Economy Coalition and partners argues that green policies must be intentionally designed for fairness to avoid excluding poor communities. It highlights the disproportionate environmental impact of the wealthy and provides examples from Brazil and Tanzania where inclusive green strategies have succeeded, calling for global collaboration to ensure economic development is both green and fair.

This report by the Green Economy Coalition reviews the first ten years of the SEED Awards (2005-2015), an initiative founded by UNEP, UNDP, and IUCN to support social and environmental enterprises. It analyzes the survival and impact of 202 SEED Winners across 37 countries, highlighting the role of multi-stakeholder partnerships and tailored support in fostering green and inclusive growth at the grassroots level.

This fact sheet from the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues that a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) in South Africa can promote gender equality and social cohesion by providing a permanent, unconditional government payment to all adults to meet basic needs.

This fact sheet describes the advisory and capacity development services provided by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to help low- and middle-income governments and regional bodies establish legal and policy frameworks for responsible private sector investment in agriculture.