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This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines how trade facilitation measures at multilateral, regional, and subregional levels impact the illegal wildlife and timber trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). It analyzes the tension between economic growth driven by infrastructure and trade ease and the resulting depletion of biodiversity, providing recommendations for policymakers to mitigate environmental risks.

This guide provides technical and institutional recommendations for using human urine as a liquid fertilizer in crop production. It details the nutrient composition of urine, application strategies to maximize yield and minimize ammonia loss, and a multi-barrier health risk management approach based on WHO guidelines. The document also offers a framework for developing local guidelines and presents case studies from Sweden, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

This document presents six case studies of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects in the United States, the Netherlands, and Australia to analyze the role of community engagement in project outcomes. It contrasts successful projects that utilized two-way consultation and transparency with failed projects characterized by one-way information delivery, lack of trust, or unilateral changes to project benefits.

This research paper by Saleemul Huq for the World Resources Institute argues that current global and national decision-making processes are inadequate to handle the uncertainty, scale, and complexity of climate change. The author advocates for a paradigm shift from reactive disaster management to proactive disaster preparedness and suggests that wealthier nations and decision-makers can learn effective adaptation strategies from the poorest countries and grassroots communities.

This research paper, prepared by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) for the 2010 World Resources Report, argues that existing government practices can be harnessed to manage the risks and uncertainties of climate change. The authors propose a framework of seven adaptive policy-making practices divided into 'planned adaptability' and 'autonomous adaptability' to help policy-makers navigate complex, unpredictable socio-economic and ecological systems.

This research paper by Andreas Spiegel of Swiss Re argues for a balanced climate adaptation strategy that combines cost-effective risk prevention measures with risk transfer mechanisms, such as insurance. Using data from the Economics of Climate Adaptation (ECA) working group, the author demonstrates that a significant portion of climate-related losses can be averted through preventative action, while residual risks should be managed via public-private partnerships and innovative financial instruments to protect vulnerable economies, particularly in developing nations.

This research paper, written by Philip M. Gwage of the Government of Uganda, examines the role of development partners (DPs) in supporting climate change adaptation in vulnerable countries, using Uganda as a primary case study. The author argues that while DPs are consulted on national planning, their most effective influence often occurs through collaboration with civil society organizations at the community level to promote indigenous technologies and reduce bureaucratic overhead. The paper emphasizes the need for DPs to shift from viewing climate change as a purely environmental issue to integrating it into broader development portfolios, with a specific focus on institutional strengthening, early warning systems, and the promotion of organic agriculture to build resilience in the rainfed agricultural sector.

This research paper by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) examines how development agencies can support national-level decision-making to foster low-emission, climate-resilient development. It identifies critical barriers to adaptation—including political leadership, technical knowledge, financial management, and accountability—and details UNDP's strategic approach to integrating climate change into broader national development and poverty reduction goals.

This research paper by Yolanda Kakabadse, former environment minister of Ecuador and President of WWF International, argues that traditional water infrastructure design—based on the assumption of a stationary climate—has led to the degradation of freshwater ecosystems and increased societal vulnerability. The author proposes a shift toward climate-sustainable development by integrating ecosystems into infrastructure planning, managing water at a basin scale, and moving away from sectoral silos in policymaking.

This research paper argues that involving vulnerable populations as co-producers of knowledge through participatory video and experiential games can overcome information barriers and accelerate the adoption of climate adaptation strategies.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute explores the role of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in helping countries, particularly developing nations, adapt to climate change. It details how ICTs enhance weather forecasting, risk assessment, and the dissemination of critical alerts to vulnerable populations via mobile networks, while highlighting the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) efforts to integrate these technologies into national adaptation plans.

This research paper, authored by representatives of SEKEM, examines Egypt's vulnerability to climate change and proposes a 'Green Transformation' strategy. It highlights SEKEM's use of biodynamic agriculture and a Sustainability Balanced Scorecard as models for private sector adaptation and mitigation, arguing that national governments should adopt similar integrated, vision-led approaches to ensure economic competitiveness and national security.

This research paper describes Alcoa's 'Sustainable Juruti Program' for its bauxite mine in the Brazilian Amazon, which aims to establish a sustainability benchmark for mining in ecologically sensitive regions through a combination of environmental respect, social responsibility, and economic success.

This research paper examines how national governments can engage the private sector to support climate change adaptation. It argues that private sector participation depends on a strong business case for long-term resiliency and suggests that governments must identify specific business sectors and align public and private interests to promote the public good while discouraging activities that harm vulnerable populations.

This research paper by Oxfam America, published as part of the 2010 World Resources Report, examines how civil society organizations (CSOs) can support and hold national governments accountable in integrating climate change risks into policy. The authors argue that while CSOs are vital for emergency disaster response, their most significant contribution lies in addressing long-term climatic risks through mutual partnership with states and communities. Using research from seven countries, including Cambodia, the paper highlights the risks of top-down fund management and advocates for transformative citizen participation to ensure climate finance reaches the most vulnerable populations.

This 2009 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute assesses the economic impacts of climate change in Kenya, the costs of adaptation, and the potential for low-carbon growth. It finds that existing climate variability already imposes significant costs, while future climate change could lead to annual GDP losses of approximately 2.6% by 2030. The report estimates immediate adaptation needs at $500 million per year for 2012, potentially rising to $1-2 billion per year by 2030. It also identifies a low-carbon development pathway that could reduce energy-related emissions by 22% by 2020, with over 80% of these options available at a net negative cost.

This report by Friends of the Earth Europe examines the impact of jatropha biofuel cultivation in India, specifically focusing on the state of Chhattisgarh. It argues that the drive to replace 20% of diesel consumption by 2017 has led to the forced displacement of tribal and lower-caste communities from common lands, often without consultation, while the crop itself has frequently failed to thrive due to poor understanding of growing conditions.

This research paper analyzes the environmental impacts of China's electrical power sector and explores how a sustainable trade strategy can be linked to energy policy. It details China's heavy reliance on coal, the resulting pollution, and the regulatory frameworks used to manage these effects. The document also surveys international best practices in low-carbon energy policy—including economic and regulatory instruments—and suggests policy options for China to improve efficiency and competitiveness.

This report examines the risks associated with "peak phosphorus"—the point when demand for rock phosphate exceeds supply—and its implications for global food security and water quality. It focuses on the Lake Winnipeg Basin as a case study for extreme eutrophication and proposes a transition toward phosphorus stewardship through nutrient recovery, recycling, and improved agricultural practices to reduce dependence on mineral fertilizers.

This 2009 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute provides a comparative vulnerability assessment of six tourism destinations in Thailand and Sri Lanka following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the Sri Lankan civil conflict. It introduces a Destination Sustainability Framework (DSF) to analyze how exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive responses influence a destination's resilience to shocks and stressors.