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This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of investment treaties and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms in global governance. It argues that traditional investment treaties, which prioritize investor protection, often fail to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and instead create significant financial and legal burdens for host states, potentially hindering sustainable development and climate action.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of investment treaties and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms in global governance. It argues that traditional treaties, designed to protect foreign investors and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), often conflict with sustainable development goals by creating 'regulatory chill' and imposing high financial costs on host states. The document advocates for an ambitious reform of investment law to prioritize public interest, environmental protection, and human rights over investor protections.

This briefing paper analyzes the prospects and challenges of negotiating a multilateral investment agreement within the World Trade Organization (WTO) following the Doha Ministerial Statement. It critiques existing international investment agreements (IIAs), specifically NAFTA's Chapter 11 and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), for prioritizing investor rights over public welfare and sustainable development. The author argues that the WTO may lack the institutional capacity to deliver a balanced agreement and proposes a new framework that incorporates obligations for investors and home states alongside the rights of host states to regulate in the public interest.

This 2004 research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the relationship between international investment agreements (IIAs) and sustainable development. It argues that the traditional model of IIAs, which focuses heavily on investor protections, has failed to empirically prove its ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and often conflicts with the regulatory needs and development priorities of host states. The paper advocates for a 'Southern Agenda' that balances private investor rights with public goods, transparency, and the specific needs of developing countries.

This executive summary proposes a "kerosene to solar subsidy swap" in India, suggesting that government funds currently used for kerosene subsidies be redirected to provide marginalized households with off-grid pico solar PV lighting systems. The document argues that such a transition would reduce indoor air pollution and health risks while leveraging a mature market of affordable, certified solar products.

This seminar note, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIIA), examines potential legal and economic conflicts between the Kyoto Protocol's climate mitigation goals and the trade rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The document identifies risks associated with flexibility mechanisms, domestic policies, and enforcement measures, suggesting that proactive coordination between environmental and trade negotiators is necessary to prevent protectionism and legal disputes.

This November 2016 briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of Quebec in helping Canada meet its G7 commitment to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies by 2025. The document focuses specifically on consumption subsidies in Quebec, which it argues act as a 'negative price on carbon' and undermine the province's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.

This report, prepared by the Sustainable Development Strategies Group for the World Bank, provides a detailed analysis and transparency template based on the International Bar Association's (IBA) Model Mining Development Agreement (MMDA) Version 1.0. It outlines the essential components of modern mine development agreements, emphasizing the balance between investor security and the sustainable development of host countries and communities. The document includes a template of MMDA sections, an explanatory narrative on key clauses, and a research summary on the absence of a similar international model for the oil and gas sector.

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 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 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.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the 2026 review of the Low-Income Country Debt Sustainability Framework (LIC-DSF) conducted by the IMF and World Bank. While the authors welcome improvements regarding domestic debt and country heterogeneity, they argue that the framework fails to distinguish between public debt sustainability and external sustainability. The brief recommends that policy-makers use the revised LIC-DSF primarily as a public debt sustainability analysis (DSA) tool and pair it with a separate, dedicated external sustainability framework to avoid ambiguous policy signals.

This briefing note from the International Institute for Sustainable Development discusses the role of regulations and standards as policy tools to facilitate the transition to a green economy, using a case study from Vancouver to illustrate the effectiveness of removing regulatory barriers, known as 'green tape'.

This 1999 report analyzes the emergence of markets for global environmental services in Central America, focusing on the contrasting experiences of Costa Rica and El Salvador. It examines how these countries leverage international agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol and biodiversity conventions, to mobilize financial resources for conservation and sustainable development through mechanisms like carbon credits and biodiversity-friendly coffee certification.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the state of negotiations regarding Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) leading up to the 2009 COP 15 in Copenhagen. It examines the technical and political challenges surrounding the scope of REDD, financing mechanisms, measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, and institutional governance, providing guidance for developing countries to navigate these negotiations.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the ASB Partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins analyzes the role of the private sector within the REDD+ supply chain. It identifies key private sector actors—including investors, producers, brokers, advisors, auditors, and end-buyers—and examines the motivations and challenges associated with their engagement. The document argues that while private sector involvement is critical for scaling up investment, it is currently hindered by policy uncertainty and unresolved land tenure and carbon ownership issues. It proposes strategies to stimulate investment, such as leveraging compliance carbon markets and implementing nested crediting frameworks.

This report by the Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) provides preliminary estimates of global energy subsidies by source for 2007, detailing the assumptions and calculations used for nuclear energy, renewable energy, biofuels, fossil fuels, and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the emergence of agricultural growth poles (agropoles) and corridors in Africa. It analyzes these tools as strategies to attract private investment and transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture, while highlighting the legal, financial, and operational risks associated with their implementation.

This seminar note, authored by Halina Ward of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, examines the tension between the precautionary principle—which advocates for protective action before full scientific proof of risk—and the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It explores differing regional interpretations of risk assessment, the legal status of precaution in international law, and the specific WTO agreements (GATT, TBT, and SPS) that intersect with environmental and health regulations.

This policy brief analyzes the Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) policies of the Sao Paulo State Government in Brazil, detailing the institutional, legal, and procedural frameworks used to integrate socio-environmental criteria into the purchase of goods, services, and construction works.