By Rachel Thrasher Pressure is building for European Union (EU) member states to execute a coordinated withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). As of March 2024, the European Council of Ministers approved such a move, considering that the treaty is “too protective of fossil fuel investments” and “incompatible with Europe’s climate ambitions.” This follows […]
By Oyintarelado Moses From 2000-2022, China’s engagement with African countries through trade, overseas development finance and foreign direct investment (FDI) has bolstered ties and increased policy relations, particularly in the areas of development. Past trends in economic engagement have led to both benefits and risks to African governments, spanning economic growth and environmental impacts on […]
African countries have and are shaping development goals in alignment with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union Agenda 2063. Potential sources of financing for energy and transition materials have become increasingly important for devising strategies that will allow Africa to achieve these goals. Over the past three decades, China-Africa […]
By Tim Hirschel-Burns In late January, the United Nations released the zero draft of the Pact for the Future, the outcome document of the Summit of the Future. The Summit of the Future is scheduled for September 22-23, 2024, ahead of the high-level General Debate of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. […]
By Naomi Frim-Abrams On March 20, 2024, the Spring 2024 Human Capital Initiative Research Seminar Series hosted Elisa Maffioli, Assistant Professor of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan, to discuss her forthcoming study on the effect of social influence on vaccination behavior during COVID-19 in Kenya. The study evaluates a campaign where […]
The South African National Treasury (NT) recently proposed to transfer 30 percent of the unrealized gain on the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB’s) gold and foreign exchange reserves, worth about 2.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), to the NT. The February budget announcement led government bond yields to decline as market participants foresaw a […]
Many developing countries have sought international assistance to implement climate change-related programs and projects. Estimates suggest that emerging market and developing economies will need to mobilize an annual $2.4 trillion by 2030 toward climate goals. International climate finance is a crucial component of the response to climate change. In a new journal article published in […]
By Niccolò Manych In the past, coal has been a pivotal driver of electrification and economic development. However, the social costs of coal-fired power plants—in terms of air pollution, public health and climate change—now outweigh the benefits and a rapid phase-down is required to adhere to the temperature limits set by the Paris Agreement. Consequently, […]
While Asia continues to grow, South America remains stagnant. There are multiple reasons for this, but one major obstacle is the lack of investment in infrastructure. Development bank support for infrastructure investments in South America could unlock unlimited growth and development opportunities for the region, the benefits of which would far exceed the initial costs. […]
Many governments have committed to stop building new coal-fired power plants both domestically and abroad, but the greatest emissions reductions would be achieved through the early and permanent retirement of coal units. While many development finance institutions (DFIs) have pledged to halt public finance into new coal-based electricity generation, decarbonization of existing coal plants is […]