Search Climate Insights Directory

This executive summary examines the emergence of environmental services markets in Central America, focusing on Costa Rica's leadership in carbon emission reductions and El Salvador's potential for biodiversity and carbon sequestration through shade-grown coffee. It analyzes how international agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Convention on Biological Diversity create financial opportunities for developing nations to link environmental conservation with sustainable economic development.

This document contains the proceedings of a Trade and Sustainable Development Workshop held on 1-2 July 1999 in Midrand, South Africa. Hosted by the IUCN, the Group for Environmental Monitoring (GEM), and the Trade and Industrial Policy Secretariat (TIPS), and funded by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the workshop aimed to identify international and domestic trends, research focus areas, and strategic interventions for South Africa regarding the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other trade policy negotiations to promote sustainable development.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a comprehensive overview of 21 international agreements and instruments governing the trade of domestically prohibited goods (DPGs). It categorizes these goods into chemicals, pharmaceutical products, consumer products, and hazardous wastes, analyzing the legal and voluntary frameworks designed to protect importing countries—particularly developing nations—from risks to human, animal, plant health, and the environment.

This research paper examines the relationship between trade liberalization, economic growth, and environmental quality in Argentina during the 1990s. It argues that while the manufacturing sector saw little environmental improvement despite growth, the agricultural sector in the Pampas region experienced a 'virtuous cycle' where market-driven adoption of new technologies led to environmental benefits without the need for specific environmental policies.

This executive summary analyzes the relationship between trade liberalization, economic growth, and environmental impact in Argentina during the 1990s. It distinguishes between the manufacturing sector, where trade opening did not significantly clean the export basket, and the agricultural sector, where technological adoption led to a 'virtuous cycle' of increased production and environmental benefits.

The document proposes a strategic commercialization path for fuel cells and hydrogen (H2) that avoids the need for immediate, massive bulk-supply infrastructure. The strategy relies on the development of "Hypercars"—ultralight, high-efficiency vehicles—and the integration of fuel-cell deployment between buildings and vehicles. By first establishing fuel cells in buildings for co- or trigeneration and using decentralized "hydrogen appliances" for production, the market can build the volume necessary to reduce fuel-cell costs to levels competitive for vehicles. Ultimately, the strategy envisions a transition from decentralized production to bulk supply, including wellhead reforming of natural gas with carbon sequestration and the conversion of hydroelectric dams into "Hydro-Gen" plants.

This 1999 report analyzes the economics of greenhouse gas mitigation in Ecuador, forecasting CO2 emission trends up to 2030. It highlights a history of economic instability and a heavy reliance on oil, while proposing a mitigation scenario that could reduce CO2 emissions by 15 million tons. The study finds that the industry sector offers the highest mitigation potential, while the transport sector is the most difficult to abate. It also examines the sensitivity of various economic sectors to energy price increases, noting that the chemical and power sectors are most vulnerable.

This report evaluates a pilot project for the local management of rural electricity supply in Tanzania, specifically focusing on the Urambo Electric Consumers Co-operative Society (UECCO). It examines the transition from a state-managed utility model (TANESCO) to a community-managed cooperative, analyzing technical, financial, and sociological outcomes.

This case study examines Molten Metal Technology Inc. (MMT) between 1989 and 1995, focusing on its development of Catalytic Extraction Processing (CEP) to recycle hazardous and radioactive waste. While MMT achieved significant financial growth through an IPO and government grants, and formed strategic alliances with firms like Lockheed Martin, the company struggled to transition from R&D to full commercial operation by late 1995.

This research paper assesses Western efforts to develop African peacekeeping capabilities in the late 1990s, specifically focusing on the 'P-3 Initiative' (US, UK, and France) and Danish contributions. The authors argue that while these capacity-building programs provide tangible training and equipment, they are primarily driven by Western domestic political desires to avoid direct military or financial involvement in African conflicts. The document also details the institutional, financial, and operational limitations of African regional bodies like the OAU, SADC, and ECOWAS in managing peace and security independently.

This report documents the proceedings of the Lima Workshop on Mining and Sustainable Development in the Americas, held from June 27-29, 1998. The event brought together 76 representatives from 11 countries—including industry, government, NGOs, and indigenous peoples—to discuss improving mining policies and practices to ensure they contribute to sustainable development in the hemisphere.

This CIEL working paper presents the results of an informal survey conducted by Axel Bree and David Hunter to determine the environmental policies and procedures of non-US export credit and risk insurance agencies. The survey found that while most agencies claim to consider environmental issues, none had detailed written environmental policies as of September 1998.

The Regulations in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998, establish a comprehensive legal framework for the management, conservation, and exploitation of marine living resources in South African waters. The document details administrative procedures, gear restrictions, species-specific limits, mariculture standards, and compliance monitoring systems to ensure sustainable fisheries management.

The Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998 is a South African law designed to ensure the conservation and sustainable utilization of marine ecosystems. It establishes a regulatory system for allocating fishing rights (commercial, small-scale, and recreational) based on total allowable catches and applied effort. The Act emphasizes social transformation, aiming to rectify historical imbalances in the fishing industry. It provides the state with robust enforcement powers, including the use of fishery control officers and the ability to seize vessels, while creating a dedicated fund to support marine resource administration.

This report, introduced by Jakkie Cilliers, provides a snapshot of the South African Army's transition following the end of apartheid. It details the shift from a secretive, racialized force to a democratically overseen institution, while highlighting significant operational and human resource challenges, including 'transformation fatigue', integration delays, and a funding crisis that threatens operational capability.

This report, prepared by Dr. Peter Hardi of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in June 1998, details a technical assistance project to design a monitoring system for sustainable development within the Sarhad Province Conservation Strategy (SPCS) in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP). The document outlines a capacity assessment of data availability, the results of a multi-stakeholder workshop in Abbottabad, and the resulting outputs, including an integrated assessment system and a set of measurement tools.

This 1998 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute presents two contrasting future scenarios for the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) up to the year 2030: a Conventional Development Scenario (CDS) and a Sustainability Vision. The report argues that a 'business-as-usual' approach will lead to increased environmental pressure and persistent socio-economic disparities, whereas a transition to sustainability requires proactive policy interventions, technological decoupling of growth from resource use, and a shift in human values.

This report outlines an integrated assessment system designed to measure progress toward sustainable development in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), specifically supporting the Sarhad Province Conservation Strategy (SPCS) and the National Conservation Strategy (NCS). Developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the system focuses on building indigenous capacity for measurement, assessment, and reporting to ensure long-term sustainability after external aid ends.

This research paper introduces the 'Towards Collaborative Peace' (TCP) project by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), which examines the illegal trade of small arms and light weapons in Southern Africa and their role in fostering a 'culture of violence'. The project employs a south-south approach, comparing trends in Southern Africa with those in the southern part of South America, specifically within the Mercosur countries, to propose regional control mechanisms and local strategies for reversing violence.

This background document outlines a study intended to explore how the draft Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters can be used to increase public participation within international decision-making processes and organizations.