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This scoping study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the mining sector's role in the global energy transition, focusing on its contribution to nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the challenges of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in mineral-rich developing countries.

A policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice arguing that G20 nations, which produce 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, must coordinate to phase out oil and gas. It highlights South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency as a critical opportunity to lead on subsidy reform and financing for the Global South ahead of COP30.

This report by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the power sector transition across the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates). It finds that while the bloc continues to build fossil-fueled capacity, non-fossil capacity additions are accelerating, with the share of power capacity fueled by coal, oil, and gas potentially falling below 50% by the end of 2024.

A speech delivered by Søren Asp Mikkelsen, Deputy Ambassador of Denmark to South Africa, on October 26, 2009, discussing the objectives of the upcoming COP15 climate conference in Copenhagen and Denmark's experience with green growth through wind energy.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the necessity of a just transition for Latin American economies reliant on fossil fuel extraction. The authors argue that delaying the shift toward sustainable, low-carbon pathways increases economic vulnerability, while warning that the transition to renewable energy technologies creates new risks associated with the increased extraction of critical minerals.

This executive summary of a World Resources Institute working paper examines the energy challenges facing cities in the global South and proposes three scalable solutions—cleaner cooking, distributed renewable energy, and energy efficiency—to improve equity, economic productivity, and environmental quality.

The Reimagine our Future Declaration is a statement by over 150 South African children and youth (aged 14-24) outlining their vision for a future characterized by climate resilience, social equality, and active youth participation in governance. The document identifies systemic failures in economic support, environmental management, and social services, while providing specific recommendations for government and private sector action to ensure a just transition and inclusive development.

The Greencape Market Intelligence Report 2014 examines the regulatory frameworks and market dynamics of the green building sector in South Africa, with a specific focus on the Western Cape. It details the transition toward energy-efficient standards, the adoption of alternative building technologies (ABTs), and the opportunities for greening both commercial and social housing sectors.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies provides a development forecast for Eswatini up to 2043. It outlines a 'Current Path' (CP) based on existing policies and evaluates 11 sectoral intervention scenarios, culminating in a 'Combined Agenda 2063' scenario. The analysis focuses on demographics, economic growth, poverty reduction, health, and energy transition, highlighting Eswatini's high per capita income relative to its peers despite endemic poverty and a high HIV/AIDS burden.

This policy brief explores green growth financing mechanisms to support Africa's economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. It argues that the 'twin COVID–climate crisis' provides an opportunity to 'build back better' by integrating sustainable investment into stimulus packages, leveraging private capital through green bonds, and reforming fiscal and financial regulations to increase climate resilience.

This case study describes a three-year strategic partnership between the Anglo American Foundation and GreenCape to catalyse the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) industry in South Africa. The initiative focused on unifying a fragmented sector through the establishment of a formal industry body, the Southern African Mass Insect Rearing Organisation (SAMIRO), and providing regulatory and investment support to bridge the gap between BSF's potential for organic waste upcycling and industrial scaling.

This policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice examines the role of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in climate finance, focusing specifically on the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in South Africa. It argues that the IDC's current operations are misaligned with climate goals due to a portfolio skewed toward carbon-intensive sectors and conservative lending practices, and proposes specific financial and governance reforms to support a just transition.

This policy brief examines the potential for the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) to collaborate on a circular economy transition in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It argues that the EU's goal to shorten global value chains for food and medical security, combined with Africa's need for sustainable economic growth and job creation, provides a mutually beneficial opportunity to implement green recovery strategies and achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

This report section analyzes the impact of commodity dependence on African economies, detailing the 'resource curse' where heavy reliance on raw material exports correlates with poor governance, political corruption, and slow economic growth. It contrasts the development trajectories of resource-rich and resource-poor nations and discusses the role of sovereign wealth funds and the global energy transition in shaping future demand.

The report 'Umlibo' documents a community-led climate change advocacy project in Hamburg, South Africa. It centers on a 6m x 2m embroidery masterpiece created by 43 artists from the Keiskamma Art Project in collaboration with WWF South Africa. Through personal narratives, the document illustrates how climate change manifests as extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and economic instability in a vulnerable coastal community, while advocating for sustainable livelihoods and education to build resilience.

A September 2023 briefing by Global Energy Monitor analyzing the renewable energy transition in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It highlights a significant increase in operational and prospective solar and wind capacity, while noting a heavy reliance on fossil fuels for electricity and a strategic pivot toward high-risk green hydrogen exports over domestic decarbonization.

The report by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) analyzes the landscape of bilateral and multilateral agreements between African states and global powers to secure critical minerals essential for the green energy and digital transitions. It examines the strategies of twelve key actors—including China, Russia, the EU, and the US—highlighting a trend toward resource diplomacy driven by national security concerns and the need to diversify supply chains away from dominant suppliers.

This research paper examines the evolving geopolitics of mineral supply chains, specifically how industrialised states are seeking to reduce dependencies on certain countries following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It focuses on the potential for African economies to benefit from this restructuring as the global transition to renewable energy increases the demand for critical minerals.

The African Climate Foundation (ACF) Strategy 2026–2030 outlines a shift from a 'proof of concept' to a continental platform focused on ensuring Africa's climate transition is shaped by African agency. The strategy prioritizes three core areas—energy access, climate resilience, and green industrialisation—supported by cross-cutting enablers in sustainable finance and international partnerships. ACF operates as a support institution rather than a direct implementer, utilizing strategic grantmaking, fiscal hosting, and incubation to strengthen the capacity of African governments, coalitions, and communities.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the priorities and challenges for African nations leading up to COP27 in Egypt. It highlights the continent's push for climate justice, increased financial support for adaptation and loss and damage, and a 'just transition' that allows for the temporary use of natural gas to ensure energy security.