Research Reports

Following the recently released report, “Improving the Levels of Engagement and Coordination Between the Private Sector (IPPs), the Public Sector and Civil Society around Climate Change Actions” this brief delves into the key strategies required to enhancing collaboraion between parties. You can also access the Recommendation Brief here.

This report captures insights from fifteen social performance practitioners across Africa’s renewable energy sector, representing government, private companies, civil society, and consultancies. Their reflections highlight that effective social performance is central to ensuring renewable energy projects deliver lasting, inclusive benefits for host communities.

This report details the ENGAGE initiative piloted by the Cultiver Group over 18 months in two communities, one in the Western Cape (Laingsburg) and one in the Northern Cape (Sutherland). To address the gaps in communication RE project host communities and project owners, a toll-free community hotline was setup to support community relationship building and…

This report captures the lived experiences of two windfarms based in the Eastern Cape, which are 2 of a few REIPPPP projects fully implemented on rural black-owned land. The report documents the experiences and perspectives of the Nyulutsi and Wittekleibosch communities following the development of wind energy projects on rural black-owned land.

This study examines how REIPPPP obligations are enacted in practice by focusing on community liaison officers (CLOs), corporate employees tasked with mediating between Independent Power Producers and host communities. 

Developed under the FIGCCC Programme and working with the Democracy Works Foundation and INSPIRE, KDS has explored the ways of improving the levels of engagement and coordination between the private sector (IPPs), the public sector and civil society regarding climate change actions. You can also read the Recommendation Brief and Advocacy Brief.

Following the recently released report, “Improving the Levels of Engagement and Coordination Between the Private Sector (IPPs), the Public Sector and Civil Society around Climate Change Actions” this brief delves into the key strategies required to enhancing collaboraion between parties. You can also access the Advocacy Brief.

This paper examines how industrial policy can help Brazil and South Africa capture greater developmental benefits from solar and wind energy deployment. It considers how each country navigates global trade constraints, particularly under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, and engages with multilateral technology governance platforms such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC)…

This working paper investigates the extent to which South Africa and Brazil can act as role models for the skills development and transitions needed in the Global South for transitioning fossil fuel sectors and affected communities to low-carbon futures. A study of Brazil and South Africa can provide important shared learnings regarding the interconnectedness of…

This case study reflects on a pilot in a community in Tsitsikama, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, where a trauma informed community development programme initiated by the Centre for Mental Wellness and Leadership (CMWL) in partnership with Cennergi. This included a capacity building intervention in 2021 with the elected community leadership of…

This study discusses the moral question of whether South Africa deserves climate reparations. It examines the deeply unequal and polluting nature of the South African economy in order to demonstrate how claims from South Africa for climate finance and reparations are morally complex and fraught.

This report offers a collection of insights emerging from the national large-scale renewable energy programmme.