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This document is an address by Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) delivered to the 49th Session of UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Board on September 25, 2012. Cosbey argues that the outcomes of the Rio+20 conference are insufficient for guiding states through the trade tensions arising from the transition to a green economy. He highlights the conflict between the use of green industrial policies—such as subsidies and local content requirements—and their impact on the multilateral trading system, particularly for developing countries. Cosbey calls for a non-legal, non-negotiating framework, potentially led by UNCTAD, to determine the propriety and effectiveness of these measures before they escalate into formal trade disputes.

This briefing examines the debate over whether the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) following a severe heat wave and drought in the United States that reduced corn yields and increased prices. While livestock and poultry producers argue a waiver would lower corn prices and food costs, the document suggests that such a move could increase gasoline prices, heighten dependence on imported oil, and discourage investment in advanced biofuels.

This policy brief examines the successful adoption of solar water heater (SWH) technology in Barbados, detailing how a combination of early entrepreneurial leadership, consistent government fiscal incentives, and strategic consumer marketing created a thriving industry that reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels.

This policy brief describes Ecuador's Socio Bosque programme, a voluntary incentive-based scheme managed by the Ministry of Environment (MAE) that provides annual payments to private and communal landholders to maintain forest cover and alleviate rural poverty.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the effectiveness of investment incentives in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). It argues that fiscal incentives cannot compensate for a weak investment climate and recommends a transition from automatic tax holidays toward targeted, performance-based incentives and transparent tax administration.

This report provides a legal and institutional analysis of Indigenous Peoples' and Local Communities Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs) in Kenya. It examines the intersection of national legislation, international law, and customary practices across various ecosystems, including pastoralist rangelands, forests, and coastal marine areas. The document highlights the transition from 'trust land' to 'community land' under the 2010 Constitution as a pivotal reform for securing collective tenure and supporting community-led conservation efforts.

This report analyzes the legal and institutional framework of Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs) in Senegal. It details the transition from state-led conservation to decentralized governance, the role of Communal Natural Reserves (RNCs) and sacred sites, and the challenges regarding formal recognition and sustainability of community-led conservation efforts.

This report analyzes the legal and institutional frameworks in Canada as they relate to Indigenous Peoples' Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs). It examines the tension between Canadian state law—characterized by a history of colonialism and assimilation—and the inherent rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples to govern their traditional lands and resources.

This report, authored by the Association of Indigenous Village Leaders in Suriname (VIDS), analyzes the legal and institutional frameworks in Suriname regarding Indigenous Peoples' and Local Communities' Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs). It concludes that the state fails to legally recognize indigenous and tribal peoples as collectivities or acknowledge their collective rights to traditional lands and resources. This legal vacuum, combined with discriminatory legislation and the prioritization of 'public interest' for state-issued concessions, severely undermines the ability of these communities to govern their territories and conserve biodiversity. The report highlights a significant gap between international human rights standards—including a landmark judgment by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the Saramaka case—and national implementation.

This report analyzes the legal and institutional frameworks governing Indigenous Territories and Community-Conserved Areas (ICCAs) in Malaysia, with a primary focus on Sabah. It examines the tension between traditional customary land rights (adat) and state-led economic development, particularly the expansion of oil palm plantations and logging. The document details the potential for integrating community-led conservation into formal protected area networks and reviews landmark court cases in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak that have shaped the recognition of native title.

This report analyzes the legal, institutional, and legislative frameworks governing Indigenous peoples' conserved territories and areas conserved by Indigenous peoples and local communities (ICCAs) in Australia. It details the pathways to Indigenous land ownership, the mechanisms for joint management of national parks, and the emergence of Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs). The document examines the intersection of national laws—such as the Native Title Act 1993—with international human rights standards and provides case studies on specific conservation models.

This policy brief explores the potential for a 'Green Revolution' in Africa, using the International Futures (IFs) model to compare scenarios of agricultural intensification. The authors argue that while aggressive policy interventions could make Africa a net food exporter and significantly boost GDP, such production increases must be coupled with social policies to ensure food access for the poor and improvements in water and sanitation to realize human development gains.

A guide providing an introduction to the costs and benefits of energy subsidies in Nigeria, focusing on fuel and electricity, and their impact on sustainable development and economic stability.

This policy brief examines the Philippines' legal and institutional approach to climate resilience, centered on the 2009 Climate Change Act. The Act establishes a centralized governance structure led by the Climate Change Commission to mainstream climate adaptation and mitigation across government sectors and local government units (LGUs). While the framework emphasizes devolved planning and integrated socio-economic objectives, the document notes tensions between these goals and national policies promoting large-scale mining and coal investment.

This statement examines whether the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in response to a 2012 drought in the United States that damaged corn and soybean crops. While livestock and dairy producers have petitioned for a waiver to lower corn feed prices, the document argues that such a move would have minimal impact on prices while severely harming the biofuels industry and its long-term goals.

This op-ed argues that the 2012 Farm Bill is critical for U.S. energy security, specifically through the funding of bioenergy and rural energy efficiency programs to reduce dependence on petroleum imports.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that sustainable public procurement can serve as a catalyst for peacebuilding, nation-building, and sustainable economic growth in fragile states. It highlights the significant proportion of government expenditure dedicated to procurement in these contexts and suggests that using this purchasing power to favor environmentally and socially sustainable goods can mitigate risks, combat corruption, and build local industrial capacity.

This executive summary, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in August 2012, outlines the role of the private sector in the REDD+ (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) supply chain. Based on research involving over 40 developing-country decision-makers, the document identifies motivations for private engagement, critical barriers such as land tenure, and policy recommendations to scale up private investment to mitigate climate change.

This policy briefing analyzes the Maputo Development Corridor as a model for regional economic integration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It examines the corridor's establishment, the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs), its achievements in reducing transit times, and the remaining operational and political constraints that hinder its full potential.

This report analyzes foreign investment in agricultural land and production within the MERCOSUR member countries, focusing on Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It examines three investment models: state-level cooperation agreements, direct private land purchases, and foreign direct investment in production via contract farming. The document highlights a general lack of reliable data on land ownership across the region, though it notes that foreign investors—primarily from within MERCOSUR—play a significant role. It further details the legislative responses of these governments to regulate foreign land acquisition, driven by global concerns over 'land-grabs' and domestic debates on food security and national sovereignty.