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This research paper argues that South Africa's foreign policy under the Zuma administration has become rudderless, characterized by a lack of strategic clarity and a managerial vacuum that risks eroding international goodwill and the country's status as a reliable developmental partner.

This report by the World Resources Institute evaluates the progress made one year after the COP26 summit in Glasgow. It tracks commitments across national emissions targets, renewable energy, climate finance, net-zero goals, the financial sector, methane reduction, deforestation, urban emissions, and electric vehicles, noting that progress is mixed and often hindered by geopolitical tensions and economic crises.

The Draft National Spatial Development Framework (NSDF) 2019 is a long-term strategic planning instrument for South Africa, mandated by the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) and aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP). It aims to dismantle the spatial legacies of colonialism and apartheid by transitioning the country toward an integrated, inclusive, and sustainable national space economy by 2050.

This briefing by RMI analyzes the tension between the steel industry's growth outlook and the demand reductions required to align with a 1.5°C climate outcome, highlighting the risks of delayed decarbonization and the opportunities for green hydrogen-based production.

A letter from the Life After Coal Campaign to the South African Minister of Public Enterprises, presenting findings from a University of Cape Town Energy Research Centre (ERC) study that argues against the commissioning of two coal-fired independent power producer (IPP) stations, Thabametsi and Khanyisa, due to high costs, increased emissions, and financial risks to Eskom.

This draft explanatory memorandum outlines proposed amendments to the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, 2022, covering income tax, value-added tax (VAT), carbon tax, and customs and excise duties. The proposals aim to resolve technical anomalies, align tax laws with new accounting standards (IFRS 17), curb tax avoidance regarding contributed tax capital, and support South Africa's climate commitments through a ramped-up carbon tax trajectory and extended energy efficiency incentives.

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 joint NGO briefing urges UNFCCC COP27 to integrate the protection of land and environmental defenders into climate justice efforts. It highlights the prevalence of violence and legal harassment (SLAPPs) against defenders and recommends that the ACE Action Plan and the Global Stocktake explicitly address human rights obligations. Additionally, it proposes a protocol to ensure host countries of COP meetings guarantee freedom of assembly and association for participants.

This report, produced by the Institute for Security Studies for the African Futures Conference 2025, presents a series of foresight-driven narratives and visions for Africa in 2050. Written by young changemakers, the document outlines a future where the continent leverages its youth demographic, green energy, and technological innovation to move from a state of dependency to global leadership in culture, governance, and sustainable development.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the competitiveness challenges and carbon leakage risks facing the mining and metals industry due to diverse global carbon pricing policies. It discusses policy mechanisms to mitigate these risks, such as free allowances and border carbon adjustments, while emphasizing the industry's strategic role in providing materials necessary for low-carbon infrastructure.

This policy brief examines the potential impact of Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs) on exports from China, emphasizing that the level of exposure depends heavily on design details such as the products included, the applied CO2 price, and the method used to assess carbon content.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has seen a 57% increase in operational renewable energy capacity since May 2022, though it remains heavily dependent on oil and gas for over 90% of its electricity. While there is a massive pipeline of future projects totaling 361 GW, approximately 60% of this capacity is earmarked for green hydrogen production and export rather than domestic decarbonization.

This fact sheet from the Institute for Economic Justice argues that South Africa's food system requires a deep systemic transformation toward agroecology to achieve climate resilience and food sovereignty. It critiques 'false solutions' driven by corporate interests—such as GMOs and climate-smart agriculture—and proposes a bottom-up approach that integrates traditional knowledge with ecological science to reduce emissions, adapt production, and address social inequalities.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the state of regional economic development within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It analyzes the decline in intra-regional trade and investment since 2013, the persisting overdependence on primary commodities, and the structural, infrastructural, and political-economic barriers hindering deeper integration. The document evaluates current initiatives, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), while providing case studies on sector diversification in Mozambique, the macadamia nut regional value chain, and transport infrastructure in Tanzania and Namibia.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and E3G analyzes the significant contraction of the global coal power project pipeline between 2015 and 2021. It argues that a global commitment to 'no new coal' is feasible, as a majority of proposed projects have been cancelled due to poor economics and shifting climate policies.

This fact sheet details the history and evolution of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals for Sustainable Development (IGF), from its origins at the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development to its current status as a global policy forum with over 80 member nations.

The Greenhouse Gas Pollution Prevention Plan 1 (2017-2020) for African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) outlines the company's strategy for monitoring and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its ferrous division operations in South Africa, in compliance with the National Air Quality Act of 2004.

This report outlines the history and evolution of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), from its origins as a UN Type II partnership in 2002 to its current status as a member-led forum of over 80 countries focused on sustainable mining governance.

The report analyzes the state of Africa's green technology transition in 2025, highlighting the tension between increasing technology affordability and tightening global trade and regulatory frameworks. It details the impact of US trade policy shifts, the upcoming EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and continental efforts to mobilize climate finance and integrate energy markets.

China saw wind capacity grow from 1.26 GW in 2005 to 91.4 GW by 2013, but faces ongoing issues with grid connection delays and power curtailment due to transmission lagging behind capacity and poor governance coordination. Additionally, a separate IISD study warns that BRIICS nations could face a $278 billion revenue gap by 2030 as they transition away from fossil fuels.