While many of our research outputs are delivered within the confines of a trusted relationship, the selected items below give insight into the nature of the work we produce.
Work Showcase
Current Work
Our current portfolio enables us to engage at global, regional and country level, covering:
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A “just term sheet” for developing countries as basis for just and dignified finance
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Risk sharing instruments for accelerating renewable energy deployment in fiscally sustainable manner
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Climate risk indicators and green finance taxonomies as risk management tools
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Just transition mandate integration for financial agents particularly treasuries and central banks
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Technology as contributor to bridging climate data gaps in the financial ecosystem
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Equity as basis for advancing Article 2.1c of the Paris Climate Agreement
Selected Showcases
Comments on the Just Transition Financing Mechanism proposed by the PCC
2024
The draft Just Transition Financing Mechanism (JTFM) was opened to public comment in December of 2023. This letter serves as Rabia Transitions input on the JTFM. It analyses and critiques key aspects of the JTFM and the broader financial ecosystem in which it will be embedded, covering governance and transparency, the current scope of the JTFM, the benchmarking, the broader systemic change that is needed, and the instruments and sources of finance identified in the JTFM.
Download the letter
Exploring the intersection of equity and Article 2.1(c) towards an improved Global Stocktake
2023
The report considers the interplay between equity and Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement through the lens of three examples: the Race to Zero; the Global Shield of the (V20); and the JETPs. The key findings are: (i) Assessing progress on Article 2.1(c) requires an equity-centred approach to finance flows that accounts for the disruptive nature of transitions; (ii) Consistency of finance flows requires an approach that embeds rights-, principles-and needs-based and people-centred financing dimensions; (iii) Finance flows must explicitly adopt the principle of CBDR-RC as the basis for action.
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Just Energy Transition Partnerships
2022
South Africa was the first country to create a JETP with developed countries, aimed at ensuring just and inclusive energy transition. Our director, Chantal Naidoo was seconded to serve as Lead Researcher to the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team. The team was tasked with negotiating the $8.5 billion pledged by developed countries, and developing a draft Just Energy Transition Investment Plan for consideration. She shares her initial impressions in this presentation hosted by ODI.
Watch presentation
Impact of SA’s JETP
2022
The efficacy of JETPs has to go beyond the quantum of funding proposed. JETPs have to improve the quality of finance that developing countries have historically received. This presentation offers five questions to assess efficacy of JETPs at a presentation for the India Institute of Technology’s Just Transition research team based on the principle of “SHARE” (sustain, harmonise, reflect, equity). For SA’s JETP to be considered “pathbreaking”, these questions help others to assess and draw insights for future JETPs.
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JSE climate and sustainability disclosure submission
2022
Comments provided on the Climate and Sustainability Disclosure guidance, drawing attention to the need for “transition-specific” guidance.
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Just transition projects
2021
This paper contributes to the Just Transition Finance Roadmap Project led by Trade and Policy Industrial Strategies. Three questions are considered: (i) what are the financing needs of projects focused on just transitions? (ii) What financial instruments are available in South Africa to meet those needs? (iii) What do the findings imply for developing a Just Transition Finance Roadmap for South Africa? We conclude that just transition projects are regenerative and transformative in nature. To finance them requires a portfolio approach that does not “cherry-pick” investments to deliver a systemic and just impact.
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