November 20, 2009 - How has climate change-related policy evolved and what kind of policy development is required to cope with the threat of climate change in Southern Africa? The Heinrich Boell Foundation Southern Africa (HBF) put these and other questions to Arthur Chapman, hydrologist and climate change specialist with OneWorld Sustainable Investments, Cape Town, and leader of components of the Regional Climate Change Programme. more»

Technology development for the developing world – November 19, 2009 - With most developing countries and specifically the least developing countries already experiencing severe impacts of climate change, technologies to ensure sustainable development, economic growth and increased adaptive capacity are urgently needed. Therefore, an enabling global policy framework for technology transfer to ensure appropriate adaptation to climate change and promote the urgent need of low carbon economies is necessary. By Lwandle Mqadi more»

Playing chess at the climate change table – November 17, 2009 - South Africa may not have the power of a swing-vote at this year’s United Nations climate change negotiations, but its domestic emissions policy is a step forward for the developing world. Leonie Joubert considers the country’s position as its negotiating team heads for Denmark this December under the leadership of an untested environment minister. By Leonie Joubert more»

Climate Justice: Reversing the marginalisation of South African grassroots communities – November 12, 2009 - Hordes of interested parties will descend upon Copenhagen in December 2009 for what has been billed the best (and last) chance to fix the climate, to reduce the world's emissions and save the planet from the worst effects of global warming. Good luck to them, for the science is looking grim. The British Meteorological Office is now predicting a ten degree warming in the interior of Southern Africa. By Tristen Taylor more»

The Group of 77 and China’s participation in climate change negotiations – November 4, 2009 - This article provides a multi-dimensional assessment of the climate change negotiation process under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, focusing on the competitive and co-operative interactions among nations and regional alliances within the Group of 77 and China (G-77/ China). By David Lesolle more»

Locating the climate change debate in South Africa’s international relations: A synopsis – September 29, 2009 - Traditional strategies and alliances are becoming ineffective to address the multiple threats that climate change has for all countries, but especially for the most vulnerable. Addressing the challenges posed by climate change calls for new thinking in foreign policy. This synopsis looks at defining features of the relationship between South Africa and the major negotiating blocs within The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and seeks to evaluate the importance given to climate change within these alliances.  
By Tigere Chagutah more»

Grasping the hydra: Reconciling South Africa’s leading role in the global climate debate and the struggle for clean energy development at home – September 7, 2009 - Celebrated as a leader in Africa’s quest for low carbon, climate resilient development, South Africa also holds the dubious honour of being the continent’s largest greenhouse gas emitter. South Africa is singularly responsible for two percent of the 3,8 percent of carbon emissions that Africa contributes to global emissions. At 10 tons of carbon dioxide per person per year, the country’s per capita emissions are 43 percent higher than the global average. By Tigere Chagutah more»

Towards a Joint African Position on the Road to Copenhagen – In May 2009, African environmental ministers and other stakeholders from the continent met in Nairobi in order to work towards a shared vision and joint African position in the global negotiations on climate change, preparing for the UNFCCC conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. By Benson Owuor Ochieng more»

The African people and African ecosystems with their unique biodiversity will be the major victims of global climate change. At the same time, no significant contribution by Africa to global warming can be established: less than three percent of the world’s total emissions of greenhouse gases emanate from the African continent. This does not even correspond to its low share in the global gross national product. By Barbara Unmüßig and Stefan Cramer more»

"Boiling Point" - the Impact of Climate Change in South Africa – Leonie Joubert, a renowned journalist and photographer, reports on the impact of climate change in South Africa. Her essay is accompanied by striking photographs of  South Africa’s vulnerable landscapes and of the people depending on them for their livelihoods. more»

Climate Justice for Africa! – Africa speaks up on Climate Change is an appeal about the threat climate change poses to Africa. Immediate political action is needed. The film Hotspot Africa shows how severe the problems really are. more»

Background and further information on the UN Climate Change Conference – September 8, 2009 - On the following websites you get access to important background information as well as to media and institutions that report on the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. more»