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South Africa is transitioning from a coal-dependent economy to a low-carbon one, utilizing frameworks like the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). However, the implementation phase reveals a significant disconnect between national/international actors—who prioritize emission reductions and energy security—and local communities, who prioritize employment, basic services, and poverty alleviation. Key barriers include insufficient subnational institutional capacity, rigid financial mechanisms unsuitable for high-risk systemic change, and a lack of transparency in selecting project beneficiaries. The document specifically highlights green hydrogen as a potential new value chain, though its viability is currently hindered by high costs and the perception of just transition elements as additional financial burdens rather than core objectives.

South Africa is transitioning from just transition planning to implementation, facing a misalignment between national ambitions and local priorities. Key obstacles include limited subnational institutional capacity, inadequate financing mechanisms for transformative projects, and a lack of transparent decision-making in resource allocation. The document emphasizes that failing to address these gaps and local developmental needs may undermine public support for the energy transition.

The SEI strategy 2025–29 focuses on accelerating the implementation of climate and environmental goals through three primary impact areas: climate transitions, nature and resources, and health and wellbeing. The institute aims to move beyond goal-setting to action by boosting research on implementation, exploring emerging topics like critical raw materials and AI, and strengthening research-to-policy networks. Operationally, SEI seeks to enhance its 'One SEI' approach to integrate its distributed regional centres and diversify its funding to ensure financial resilience.

The briefing introduces a three-step framework designed to move adaptation finance beyond simple fund allocation toward achieving equitable outcomes and structural change. It argues that current international funding often fails to reach the most vulnerable populations and frequently ignores the root causes of vulnerability. The framework guides actors through defining their equity goals, selecting guiding principles, and addressing eight specific elements of distributive equity across the project cycle. These elements range from ensuring fair allocation and resource access to more ambitious goals like protecting human rights, addressing intersectionality, and enabling decolonization to dismantle systemic drivers of marginalization.

The report examines the intersection of climate-driven food insecurity and geopolitical instability, arguing that the weaponization of food trade and the reversal of global economic integration exacerbate the risks posed by climate change. It recommends a combination of enhancing domestic climate-resilient agriculture, pursuing plurilateral cooperation among small groups of countries, transitioning to plant-based diets, and integrating demographic shifts into food security planning.

The document examines South Africa's transition from coal, noting that while the country is a global leader in planning, it faces significant implementation hurdles. Key issues include a misalignment between the low ambitions of national government and foreign funders versus the high expectations of local communities and unions. The brief identifies limited local institutional capacity and inadequate conventional financing as major barriers. It specifically discusses green hydrogen projects, where social goals are often treated as secondary to cost and technical feasibility. The authors argue that transparent decision-making and addressing local priorities—such as basic services and food security—are essential to maintain public legitimacy and ensure the transition's success.

The report finds a significant disconnect between sanitation and climate policy, with only 2% of activities in analyzed NDCs addressing sanitation. While some countries like Jordan, Bolivia, and Uganda show detailed integration, many national sanitation policies are outdated and ignore climate risks. The authors argue that integrating these frameworks can unlock climate finance, reduce greenhouse gas emissions (which currently account for approximately 1.3% of global totals), and enhance community and ecosystem resilience.

The report identifies several climate-smart water technologies for rice cultivation in the Mekong Region, such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Modern Irrigation Systems (MIS), which can significantly reduce water consumption. It analyzes the policy landscapes of Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, noting that while national strategies exist, adoption is hindered by financial barriers, technical gaps, and insecure land tenure. The document recommends strengthening policy frameworks, increasing access to credit, and fostering public-private partnerships to enhance agricultural resilience and food security.

This case study analyzes the socio-economic crisis in La Jagua de Ibirico, Colombia, following the 2020 closure of a major coal mine. It highlights how the resulting loss of resources severely limits the institutional and financial capacity of local authorities to lead a just transition in a region already burdened by armed conflict and social inequality.

The report examines the degradation of the Chiquitano Dry Forest due to agricultural expansion, deforestation, and intensifying forest fires, highlighting the risk of total forest disappearance by 2050 and the need for sustainable water management tools.

The document identifies gaps between the Colombian government's just energy transition commitments and the reality on the ground in thermal coal regions. It highlights the need for increased resources, subnational institutional capacity, and concrete local investments to address the environmental and social legacies of extraction and the economic impact of losing the coal sector.

The document analyzes the environmental impact of Indonesia's palm oil sector, noting a general decline in deforestation over the last decade despite continued production growth. It highlights that while zero-deforestation commitments are widespread, they have not significantly lowered deforestation intensity compared to non-committed exporters. The analysis also emphasizes the critical role of peatlands in driving the sector's greenhouse gas emissions and the shift in export markets toward China and domestic use.

The report examines the role of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in the East African Community (EAC) to enhance coffee production and facilitate exports to the EU. It highlights that while exports from countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda have grown by approximately 60% over ten years, growers must scale up CSA practices—such as mulching and agroforestry—to comply with EU requirements regarding traceability, biodiversity, and sustainability certifications.

The document discusses the opportunities and challenges for Moldova as it aligns with the European Green Deal (EGD). It emphasizes that success depends on the leadership of local actors, the integration of green principles into agriculture, energy, and infrastructure, and the delivery of tangible improvements in daily life to secure public support.

The brief advocates for the use of ecosystem-based approaches to create synergies between the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the three Rio Conventions (CBD, UNCCD, and UNFCCC) at the country level. It recommends mainstreaming these approaches into national and community planning to support sustainable development and poverty alleviation, noting that multi-goal-oriented strategies can lower programme costs and improve effectiveness.

The report highlights that climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices, particularly mulching and agroforestry, can significantly increase coffee yields and carbon sequestration in the East African Community (EAC). It notes a growing export market in the EU, which accounted for 60.1% of EAC coffee exports in 2021, but emphasizes that producers must adopt CSA to meet stringent EU sustainability, traceability, and phytosanitary requirements. Key barriers to CSA adoption include limited finance, land tenure issues, and inadequate extension services.

Mongolia possesses significant solar and wind potential, estimated at 2,600 GW, yet renewable energy only accounted for approximately 9% of total electricity production in 2023. The government aims to increase the installed capacity of renewables to 30% by 2030 under the 'Vision-2050' long-term development policy. While 12 solar and wind projects were active in 2023 with total investments of 533.15 million USD, the sector faces challenges in gender equality, with female representation generally below global averages. Current policy is governed by the Energy Law (2001) and the Law on Renewable Energy (2007), with specific tariffs set for wind (up to 0.08 USD/kWh) and solar (up to 0.12 USD/kWh) as of 2019.

The document identifies significant obstacles to Colombia's transition from thermal coal, including high fiscal dependence on coal exports and royalties, limited local institutional capacity, and inadequate environmental regulations for mine closures. It highlights the vulnerability of the Cesar and La Guajira regions, where coal provides a substantial portion of departmental revenue and high-paying employment. The brief argues that a just transition requires inclusive stakeholder dialogue, permanent funding mechanisms for productive conversion, and the protection of civic space for marginalized groups, including Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities.

The document identifies significant obstacles to Colombia's transition from thermal coal, including heavy fiscal dependence on coal royalties, weak subnational institutional capacities, and long-term environmental liabilities. It emphasizes that while the national government has made commitments, local regions like Cesar and La Guajira face severe risks from unplanned mine closures and a lack of diversified economic alternatives. The brief recommends establishing a permanent transition fund, strengthening local government competencies, and ensuring inclusive planning that protects the rights of Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities.

The document examines the economic, political, and governance challenges hindering Indonesia's transition away from coal, emphasizing the need for multi-level governance and social protections. It highlights the role of artificial price caps and political 'lock-in' as primary barriers, while noting a significant gap in planning capacity between national and subnational governments. The brief recommends establishing a Just Energy Transition Support Facility under Bappenas, implementing economic diversification for coal-dependent workers, and reforming electricity markets to eliminate coal subsidies and facilitate renewable energy integration.