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This World Resources Institute report examines the legal and practical application of eminent domain for the establishment of protected areas (PAs) in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. It argues that the lack of democratic procedures in land acquisition leads to legal challenges, social conflict, and the eventual degazettement of parks. The authors recommend democratizing the exercise of eminent domain through transparency, public participation, and fair compensation to ensure that protected areas are both legally secure and locally legitimate.

Earthjustice sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after a 2006 rule diminished the critical habitat of the California red legged frog due to political and industry pressure. The lawsuit was settled in September 2008 when the FWS proposed a rule to significantly increase the species' critical habitat.

A 2007 request submitted to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights by FENACOCA, IBC, and CIEL, urging the Peruvian State to immediately suspend hydrocarbon exploration in the traditional territory of the Cacataibo indigenous people in isolation to prevent grave and irreversible harm.

This document consists of a series of annexes supporting a request for urgent precautionary measures to suspend hydrocarbon exploration in the territories of the Cacataibo indigenous people. It provides extensive ethnographic evidence, including over 100 testimonies from 2002 to 2006, to prove the existence of Cacataibo groups living in voluntary isolation. The report details the physical characteristics, diet, and housing of these isolated groups, their historical conflicts with other ethnic groups and rubber tappers, and the environmental and health risks posed by seismic exploration in 'Lote 107'. It also outlines the legal status of Cacataibo communal lands and the chronological process of requesting territorial reserves for the isolated populations.

This report examines the environmental consequences of the rapid expansion of Thailand's electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sector, driven by trade liberalization and export-led growth. It identifies risks associated with production and e-waste management while proposing policy and industry interventions to improve environmental performance and market competitiveness.

This research paper by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues for the revision of the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules to better accommodate the public dimensions of investor-State arbitrations, specifically regarding transparency and public participation.

This report analyzes the relationship between the CBD Working Group on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and the WIPO and WTO, specifically regarding patent disclosures of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, as the ABS group meets in Geneva in January 2008.

The document examines the controversy surrounding fisheries access arrangements in WTO negotiations, noting the conflict between Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that rely on access fees for development and the sustainability concerns regarding the practices of Distant Waters Fishing Nations (DWFNs) like Japan and the EU.

This research paper examines international migration patterns in southern Africa, focusing on the challenges of data collection and the implementation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Draft Protocol on Facilitation of Movement of Persons. It analyzes the typology of voluntary and forced migration, the prevalence of xenophobia in destination countries, and the need for harmonized legislation to achieve regional integration.

This document is a request for urgent precautionary measures submitted to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and other organizations. It seeks the immediate suspension of hydrocarbon exploration activities in the traditional territories of the isolated Cacataibo indigenous people in Peru, arguing that seismic exploration poses an imminent threat of forced contact, disease, and death.

A statement by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) proposing specific amendments to the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules to increase transparency and public participation in investor-State arbitrations.

This research paper examines the potential for biodiesel production in the Lao PDR as a means to reduce dependence on imported fuels amidst trade liberalization through ASEAN and the WTO. It evaluates various feedstock options, identifies significant environmental risks associated with land-use change, and recommends the creation of a cohesive national biofuels policy integrated with strategic environmental assessments.

This research paper, published in December 2007 by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), provides a Rapid Technology Environmental Assessment (RTEA) of biodiesel in Laos. It examines the technical potential of various feedstocks, the environmental impacts of biodiesel production, and the existing legal and policy framework governing renewable energy in the country.

This 2007 research paper, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and IUCN, examines the environmental and social impacts of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Laos, specifically focusing on hydropower, mining, and construction. It analyzes the tension between the government's goal of attracting investment for economic growth and the resulting environmental degradation and social displacement.

This research paper analyzes the environmental impacts of trade liberalization on the organic agriculture sector in Lao PDR. It examines how increased market access to the EU, US, and ASEAN countries creates opportunities for 'organic by default' products but also poses risks such as deforestation and the potential shift toward intensive agriculture due to irregular supply and a lack of formal certification systems.

This research paper, published in December 2007 by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), provides a Rapid Trade and Environment Assessment (RTEA) of organic agriculture in Lao PDR. It examines the intersection of trade policies, environmental sustainability, and the growth of the organic sector, highlighting the potential for organic products to improve farmer livelihoods and environmental health while facing challenges in certification and market access.

This research paper examines the environmental impacts of trade liberalization within the medicinal plants and spices sector of Lao PDR. It analyzes the tension between the economic goals of poverty reduction and export growth and the resulting pressures on biodiversity, specifically highlighting the risks of unsustainable wild harvesting versus the potential of cultivation and certification.

This research paper, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the IUCN in December 2007, examines the trade and environmental impact of medicinal plants and spices in Lao PDR. It details the country's rich biodiversity, the role of traditional medicine in healthcare, and the economic potential of exporting high-value species like agarwood and cinnamon. The document highlights the tension between commercial exploitation and conservation, noting the risks of over-harvesting and the need for sustainable management practices and international certifications.

This research paper examines the environmental implications of trade liberalization within the silk handicrafts sector of Lao PDR. While the sector is currently characterized by a low environmental footprint due to organic sericulture and natural dyeing, the author warns that scaling up production to meet growing international demand may lead to increased water pollution and land-use pressures. The paper suggests that maintaining 'green' credentials is essential for accessing premium niche markets and recommends the implementation of a National Export Strategy, improved wastewater treatment, and the establishment of a National Production Centre for sericulture.

This research paper, published in December 2007 by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), examines the potential for expanding the export of silk products from Laos. It analyzes the current state of the silk industry, the environmental risks associated with increased production, and the regulatory frameworks governing exports. The document suggests that while silk exports offer economic opportunities, they must be managed to prevent environmental degradation, particularly regarding the use of chemicals and the protection of forests.