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This brochure describes the development of a framework consisting of seven questions designed to assess the sustainability of mining and quarrying activities. Developed under the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) program, the framework aims to evaluate whether a project's overall contribution to sustainability is positive or negative over the long term.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and CUTS International, Geneva, provides an update on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Working Group (IWG) on Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) from June to December 2020. It details the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MSMEs, particularly those led by women, and outlines a package of six recommendations and declarations adopted by the IWG in December 2020 to improve MSME integration into the multilateral trading system.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the conflicting international legal frameworks governing germplasm and plant breeding. It highlights the tension between intellectual property (IP) rights favored by commercial seed firms and the traditional rights of farmers and Indigenous Peoples to save, share, and sell seeds. The document provides an overview of key multilateral agreements and offers guidance for developing country governments on creating national laws that balance commercial innovation with biodiversity conservation and equity.

This final progress report details a partnership between the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), MYRADA, and the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) from July 1999 to December 2001. The project field-tested Appreciative Inquiry (AI)—a participatory development approach focusing on strengths and aspirations rather than problem analysis—within rural India to support sustainable development, gender equity, and livelihoods.

This scoping study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how to strengthen gender considerations within Kiribati’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, specifically focusing on the Joint Implementation Plan on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (KJIP). The report identifies a significant gap between national gender equality goals—which have historically focused on domestic violence—and climate adaptation planning, which remains largely gender-blind. It provides recommendations to integrate a family-focused approach to resilience and to enhance the role of the Ministry of Women, Youth and Social Affairs (MWYSA) in climate governance.

This briefing note describes how Fiji has integrated Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) into its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process to scale up nature-based solutions for climate resilience.

This case study describes how Timor-Leste has integrated Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) as a guiding principle within its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process to enhance climate resilience, protect biodiversity, and support post-conflict nation building.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the decline of water storage in the Canadian Prairies and advocates for natural water retention measures to mitigate the risks of floods and droughts exacerbated by climate change.

This fact sheet by the International Institute for Sustainable Development details the economic impact and growth potential of the natural infrastructure sector in Manitoba and across the Canadian Prairies, highlighting its role in addressing water infrastructure gaps and increasing climate resilience.

This report provides a comprehensive inventory of nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation implemented in Uganda from 2015 to 2026. It analyzes 19 interventions across diverse ecosystems, emphasizing integrated models that combine ecological restoration with livelihood support to address coupled challenges such as food insecurity, water stress, and disaster risk.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines a shift from traditional one-way communications to 'engagement strategies' for sustainable development knowledge networks. It argues that behavioral change in policy-makers is driven by trust and relationships rather than information alone, proposing a systemic approach to building action-oriented relationships over time.

This 2005 practice note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines seven emerging trends in knowledge management (KM), emphasizing a shift from the simple storage of information toward active engagement, social networking, and the mobilization of knowledge to achieve specific policy influence.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) defines and establishes operating principles for 'formal knowledge networks' designed to influence sustainable development policy. It distinguishes these from other collaboration models—such as communities of practice or information networks—by emphasizing a structured, outcome-oriented approach that targets decision-makers rather than just facilitating information exchange among members.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) explores the communication channels, education opportunities, and networking patterns of youth across the circumpolar region. Based on a limited sample of 19 interviews and media scans, the study identifies a lack of youth-specific mainstream media, significant barriers to formal education in Northern Canada, and a reliance on personal, face-to-face interaction for effective engagement. The report highlights the role of the OOKPIK website in hosting directories of youth networks and media to improve connectivity among young Northerners.

This executive summary examines the impact of disruptive technologies on large-scale mining and proposes policy options to mitigate negative social and fiscal effects while leveraging technology for local economic diversification.

The Northern Entrepreneurship Workshop Proceedings and Report details a two-day workshop held in March 2009 at the University of Saskatchewan. The event brought together Northern entrepreneurs, leaders, and academics to identify the unique challenges and opportunities of operating businesses in the North and to develop a specialized educational curriculum for Northern entrepreneurs.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development evaluates the feasibility of tree planting in the Canadian prairie ecozone as a method to offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It reviews international policies from the European Union, the United States, and Canada, while analyzing the environmental, economic, and social benefits of afforestation alongside the direct and opportunity costs involved.

This report, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for a workshop on May 15, 2014, outlines the key design questions and parameters for the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) review mechanism. It identifies the need for a constructive, learning-based process to assess progress toward sustainable development goals and the means of their implementation.

This report assesses Panama's mining policy framework against the IGF's standards, finding that while there is awareness of environmental and social needs, the country suffers from an outdated legal framework, a lack of a clear national mining vision, and significant gaps in mine closure regulations and oversight of artisanal mining.

This guide describes the process of participatory scenario development (PSD) for climate change adaptation, emphasizing the integration of stakeholder knowledge with scientific data. It outlines a five-step methodology and provides a detailed case study from the Lake Balaton region in Hungary to demonstrate how PSD can influence local and national adaptation policies.