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This research paper examines the history and potential of rural biogas production in China, arguing that while subsidy-based programs have increased growth, policies must adapt to current livestock production realities to be effective. It explores how China could integrate these policies into a Sustainable Development – Policies and Measures (SD-PAM) mechanism to access international funding and technology.

This executive summary describes a study by IRENA on financial mechanisms and investment frameworks for renewable energy (RE) in developing countries. The study analyzes global RE finance flows, provides recommendations for national policy design, and presents case studies from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to support the scaling up of renewable energy for climate mitigation.

This case study examines the investment incentive landscape for renewable energy in Zambia as of December 2012. It details the country's energy sector structure, the resource potential for various renewable technologies, and the specific financial and fiscal incentives provided by the government to attract private investment, while noting a lack of transparency regarding the costs of these incentives.

This research paper examines the potential for services trade liberalization, specifically in financial and logistics sectors, to enhance food security within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The authors argue that while liberalization alone may not solve rural financial exclusion or infrastructure gaps, integrating food security objectives into services sector reform could provide a strategic rationale for deepening regional integration.

This research paper examines the implementation of wetlands in the Swedish agricultural landscape, focusing on the governance systems, stakeholder engagement, and the potential for 'multifunctional' wetlands. While Sweden failed to meet its 2000-2010 target of 12,000 hectares of new wetlands, achieving only 60%, the study identifies key drivers and barriers to success. It argues that shifting focus from narrow nutrient reduction to a broader range of ecosystem services—such as flood control, irrigation, and biodiversity—could increase stakeholder commitment and improve outcomes.

This executive summary by the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the 'fast-start' climate finance pledges made by developed countries following the 2010 Cancun Agreements. The document evaluates whether these pledges meet international criteria regarding the balance between adaptation and mitigation, additionality, and prioritization of vulnerable nations, while highlighting significant gaps in reporting transparency and consistency.

This case study examines the application of the Climate Compatible Development (CCD) approach to agriculture and food security in Kenya. It analyzes the synergies between adaptation and mitigation within the National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) and its Action Plan (NCCAP), identifying institutional barriers and financing gaps that hinder the integration of food security goals into climate action.

This fact sheet by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) examines the need for harmonizing demand-side management (DSM) energy efficiency data in the United States. It argues that while DSM programs are widespread and budgets have grown to over $8 billion as of 2011, inconsistent evaluation methods and reporting practices hinder their effectiveness in climate policy-making. The document maps various policy drivers for data harmonization—ranging from integrated resource planning to the Clean Air Act—and identifies the specific decision-makers and potential climate benefits associated with creating common definitions and reporting formats.

This policy paper, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the ASB Partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins with support from Norad, examines the role of the private sector within the REDD+ supply chain to identify ways to increase the scope and scale of its involvement.

A research paper by Bill St. Arnaud exploring ICT-based adaptation solutions for climate change, including the potential of 'Green clouds' and the 'Energy Internet', as well as the feasibility of solar-powered electric cookers in rural Kenya.

This statement from the Climate Policy Initiative discusses the role of industrial audits and data transparency in maximizing the public health and environmental benefits of California's cap and trade system.

This policy brief discusses the development of Safeguard Information Systems (SIS) for REDD+, emphasizing that these systems can be built upon existing national and international architectures rather than requiring entirely new mechanisms.

This issue brief analyzes China's clean power sector, detailing its massive growth in electricity capacity, its continued heavy reliance on coal, and the government's strategic shift toward renewable energy and emissions controls under the 12th Five Year Plan.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that traditional natural resource management has failed and that African nations should adopt Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes and economic valuation to protect their natural assets, which are critical for poverty reduction and livelihoods.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the internal displacement of pastoralist communities in northern Kenya, highlighting a significant gap in protection and assistance compared to other regions of the country. It analyzes the complex drivers of displacement—including colonial legacies, violence, human rights abuses, and climate factors—and argues that current responses are largely inadequate, short-term, and uncoordinated.

A briefing on the territorial dispute between Malawi and Tanzania over Lake Malawi, focusing on the disagreement regarding the mediation process and the structural limitations of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in resolving such conflicts.

This policy brief examines the implementation of a REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) programme in Fiji, highlighting how the mechanism can be used to achieve climate change adaptation and resilience goals rather than focusing solely on mitigation.

This report documents a series of workshops organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) at the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) between 2008 and 2011. The workshops focused on the intersection of Internet policy, governance, and sustainable development, exploring how technical and policy decisions regarding the Internet impact social, economic, and environmental goals.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the implementation of Australia's Clean Energy Future carbon pricing mechanism. It details the scheme's structure, including its transition from a fixed-price period to a cap-and-trade system, the associated compensation measures for industry and households, and the resulting impacts on subnational policies. The document highlights lessons for Canada, specifically regarding the importance of robust emissions reporting and the risks of locking in fixed prices amidst volatile international markets.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the design of federal greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations for Canada's oil and gas sector. The authors argue that because the sector has a limited ability to deliver emission intensity improvements by 2020, regulations must incorporate compliance flexibility—both within the sector (via credit trading) and beyond the sector (via price ceilings and offsets)—to remain cost-effective while increasing environmental ambition.