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20,303 documents added on 17 August 2026
Actors, Powers and Environmental Accountability in Uganda’s Decentralisation
This research paper examines the impact of decentralization reforms on environmental accountability and natural resource management in Uganda. It argues that while the legal framework suggests a devolution of power to local governments, actual decision-making authority over protected forests and wildlife remains centralized within line ministries. The author contends that 'collaborative management' schemes are largely advisory and serve to legitimate central government policies rather than empower local citizens, leading to social inequalities and unsustainable environmental outcomes.
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Document type: Research paper
The implications of decentralization in forest management: Municipalities and local forest users in lowland Bolivia
This research paper examines the impact of decentralization on forest management in the lowlands of Bolivia, focusing on the relationship between municipal governments and local forest users. It analyzes how policy reforms since the mid-1980s, including the Popular Participation Law of 1994 and the Forestry Law of 1996, transferred powers to local authorities. The author finds that while decentralization has increased the bargaining power of marginalized groups like indigenous people and small-scale timber producers, the actual outcomes for forest conservation and social equity are mixed due to bureaucratic hurdles, limited municipal budgets, and the continued influence of local elites.
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Document type: Research paper
Report on the Compliance Section of the Marrakech Accords to the Kyoto Protocol
The Marrakech Accords establish a robust compliance system for the Kyoto Protocol, featuring a two-branch compliance committee (facilitative and enforcement) with membership based on equitable geographical representation and double majority voting. Annex I Parties failing to meet emissions targets face specific penalties, including deductions from future assigned amounts and loss of emissions trading privileges. While the system provides for public participation and appeals, the legal nature of its 'binding' consequences remains a point of contention among Parties, specifically the Umbrella Group.
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Document type: Report
PEACE, HUMAN SECURITY AND CONFLICT PREVENTION IN AFRICA
This document is the title and front matter for the proceedings of a UNESCO and Institute for Security Studies (ISS) expert meeting titled "Peace, Human Security and Conflict Prevention in Africa," which took place in Pretoria, South Africa, on 23-24 July 2001.
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Document type: Report
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and future GATS-Negotiations – Implications for Environmental Policy Makers
This report analyzes the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and its implications for environmental policy makers. It argues that the GATS, which functions as both a trade and investment agreement, may constrain the ability of national and sub-national governments to implement environmental regulations. The authors highlight risks associated with market access obligations, national treatment standards, and proposed disciplines on domestic regulation, while recommending the use of Sustainability Impact Assessments and the introduction of a broader environmental exception clause in the GATS text.
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Document type: Report
14th Meeting of the IAI Executive Council (CE)
The draft notes from the second day of the 14th Meeting of the IAI Executive Council (CE) record the non-approval of the "Declaration of Panama" and the scheduling of the 15th Meeting in Brazil.
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Document type: Briefing
Approved 14th Meeting of the IAI Executive Council (CE)
This briefing documents the approved actions and decisions from the first day of the 14th Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC), held on November 26, 2001, in Havana, Cuba.
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Document type: Briefing
Action_day1_SP_AP_
This briefing documents the actions and decisions taken during the first day of the 14th Executive Council (EC) meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on November 26, 2001, in Havana, Cuba.
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Document type: Briefing
Hichange Investments (Pty) Ltd v Cape Produce Co (Pty) Ltd t/a Pelts Products and Others
This briefing outlines a 2001 High Court of South Africa judgment regarding the discharge of noxious gases from a tannery and the subsequent failure of government officials to address the pollution.
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Document type: Briefing
TREATMENT OF BIODIVERSITY RELATED ISSUES IN THE WTO
This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) provides preliminary comments on the second drafts of the Ministerial Declaration and Implementation Decision for the Doha Ministerial Conference. The authors argue that these documents fail to adequately integrate the principles and objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) into the WTO framework, particularly within the TRIPS Agreement, and do not sufficiently address the concerns of developing countries regarding sustainable development and genetic resources.
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Document type: Briefing
Recycling A Toxic Fleet Of Ghost Ships
An Earthjustice lawsuit successfully blocked the export of nine decommissioned naval vessels from the United States to England for scrapping, ensuring they are recycled domestically to avoid the risks of transporting toxic materials across open waters.
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Document type: Case study
Revisions to Resettlement Policy
A statement from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) to the World Bank urging modifications to the draft Operational Policy/Bank Practice (OP/BP) 4.12 on involuntary resettlement. CIEL argues that the draft fails to protect indigenous peoples, ignores voluntary resettlement, and prioritizes the 'restoration' of livelihoods over the 'improvement' of living standards.
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Document type: Statement
Understanding Fast Track: Key Environmental Problems with the Thomas Bill
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and partner organizations critique HR 3005, the Thomas fast track bill, arguing it fails to protect environmental laws and lacks mandatory objectives to ensure sustainable trade and investment.
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Document type: Statement
WWF-CIEL Discussion Paper
This 2001 research paper by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and WWF examines the legal and practical tensions between Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). It analyzes how WTO rules on trade in goods, services, and intellectual property can conflict with environmental objectives, such as the precautionary principle and biodiversity conservation. The paper argues for a legal clarification of the MEA-WTO relationship to ensure that trade rules do not undermine environmental governance and proposes practical steps for policy coherence, including sustainability assessments and enhanced inter-ministerial cooperation.
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Document type: Research paper
PRELIMINARY COMMENTS ON TRIPS-RELATED ASPECTS OF FIRST DRAFT MINISTERIAL DECLARATION AND FIRST DRAFT DECISION ON IMPLEMENTATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (TEXTS OF SEPTEMBER 2001)
This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) provides preliminary analysis of the September 2001 draft Ministerial Declaration and Implementation Decision of the WTO. The authors argue that the drafts fail to adequately address the concerns of developing countries, ignore proposals for rebalancing the TRIPS Agreement, and lack sufficient focus on technology transfer and public health.
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Document type: Briefing
Climate Change and energy team
This fact sheet describes the activities and strategic objectives of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Climate Change and Energy Team as of October 2001. The team focuses on mitigation strategies, adaptation, capacity building for developing countries, and the integration of energy policy into the climate change agenda.
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Document type: Fact sheet
The Measure of Progress
The 'Dashboard of Sustainability' is a visually-engaging online tool developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to measure sustainable development performance across economic, environmental, social, and institutional dimensions.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Form follows Function: Management and governance of a formal knowledge network
This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a framework for establishing and managing formal knowledge networks. It outlines a four-stage process—forming, organizing, formalizing, and institutionalizing relationships—to move beyond simple information exchange toward collaborative "working networks" that create joint value and influence policy processes.
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Document type: Guide
Communicating Sustainable Development on the Web
This guide provides a framework for sustainable development organizations to integrate the Web into their communications strategies. It emphasizes that a website should be viewed as an extension of the organization rather than a separate project, advocating for a "Web first" approach to information delivery. The document details the creation of a common vocabulary for online content (files, clusters, modules, sections), provides guidance on information architecture and user-centric design, and outlines the management of technical and content development tasks. It also explores four models for collaborative joint module development: gateways, working sites, hub-and-spokes, and integrated modules.
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Document type: Guide
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: MUNICIPAL PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS, 2001
The Local Government: Municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations, 2001, issued under the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000, establish the mandatory requirements for South African municipalities to develop Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and implement performance management systems. The regulations detail the necessary components of an IDP, the process for its amendment, the setting and review of key performance indicators (KPIs), and the establishment of performance audit committees and community participation forums.
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Document type: Report