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This research paper examines the expansion of China's service sector and its role within a sustainable trade strategy. It analyzes the structural shift of the Chinese economy toward services, the current state of trade in services, and the challenges regarding international competitiveness and liberalization. The authors argue that service sector growth is linked to urbanization and suggest that relaxing migration restrictions and increasing competition are key to enhancing productivity and sustainability.

This briefing from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute outlines how reducing fossil fuel reliance—specifically coal and oil—can lower public health costs by mitigating obesity, pollution, and climate change risks.

This report examines the potential for sectoral approaches and agreements to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the iron and steel sectors of China and India, arguing that national approaches combining price and non-price incentives are more viable than transnational trading or carbon pricing alone.

This fact sheet describes a research project focused on the Rio de la Plata Basin, examining the drivers and consequences of land use change, specifically the trade-offs between food and biofuel production and the maintenance of ecosystem services.

This research paper argues that nuclear proliferation, climate change, and oil dependence are interconnected problems that can be solved simultaneously by shifting energy strategy away from nuclear power and fossil fuels toward energy efficiency and 'micropower' (distributed renewables and cogeneration). The author contends that nuclear power is economically unviable and inherently linked to proliferation risks, while integrative design and renewable technologies offer more profitable and faster paths to energy security and carbon reduction.

This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the challenges and opportunities for energy security and integration in South America, focusing on the pivotal role of Brazil. The author argues that while the region possesses vast energy resources, national regulations and a lack of multilateral frameworks create insecurity and underutilization of low-cost resources. The report proposes a Multilateral Energy Security Reserve (RMSE) treaty to stabilize supply and suggests that Brazil's market size and leadership in renewables make it the ideal coordinator for a secure, competitive regional energy market.

This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the causes of energy insecurity in Argentina, focusing on the long-term impacts of 1990s privatization and macroeconomic reforms. It details how a shift toward private investment and a reliance on natural gas for electricity generation created a precarious supply system, exacerbated by the strategies of multinational corporations like Repsol-YPF and the failure of regional gas agreements.

The report proposes the creation of the Federal Freight Efficiency Authority (FFEA), a U.S. government agency designed to reduce oil dependence by improving the fuel efficiency of Class-8 heavy-duty trucks. The FFEA would provide default risk insurance on lease payments for independent owner-operators and small fleets, enabling them to transition from inefficient used trucks to new, high-efficiency vehicles.

This case study analyzes the development of wind power in Egypt as of March 2009, examining the economic and institutional barriers to scaling up clean energy investment in a country that is a net exporter of fossil fuels. It evaluates the wind resource potential, compares the levelized costs of wind against natural gas combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT), and outlines the necessary regulatory and strategic conditions required to transition from donor-funded projects to private-sector investment.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the multifaceted role of Chinese construction firms and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Botswana's infrastructure sector. It analyzes the shift from government-funded aid projects to competitive public tenders, the low-cost strategies employed by Chinese firms, and the emergence of new commercial financing models for large-scale energy projects.

This research paper analyzes the relationship between China's trade success and its carbon emissions, arguing that China's comparative advantage is based on labor costs rather than carbon intensity. The author contends that border tax adjustments on carbon-intensive imports would have minimal impact on China's economy and suggests that a global carbon price could provide an opportunity for China to lead in sustainable technologies.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute describes biomass cofiring—the simultaneous combustion of biomass and a base fuel, typically coal—as a low-cost transition tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel reliance in the electric sector.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the transport services sector within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), focusing on the need for harmonisation and liberalisation across road, rail, maritime, and air transport to enhance regional economic integration and global competitiveness.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) details the job creation potential and economic impacts of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) sectors across the United States and internationally. It compares the employment capacity of green industries against fossil fuel and nuclear sectors and highlights the role of specific policy instruments, such as Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and tax credits, in driving workforce growth.

This research paper examines the relationship between governance, corruption, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa, arguing that while good governance may not be the primary driver for short-term investment—particularly in resource-rich nations—it is essential for long-term economic stability and resource management.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the extent and cost-effectiveness of government support for the ethanol and biodiesel industries in Australia. It analyzes various subsidies, including excise tax rebates, capital grants, and research funding, concluding that the level of assistance is high relative to other industries and often fails to deliver cost-effective greenhouse gas reductions or energy security compared to alternative policy options.

Losing Ground is a 2008 report by Friends of the Earth, LifeMosaic, and Sawit Watch detailing the human rights violations associated with the expansion of oil palm plantations in Indonesia. The report argues that the industry's growth, driven in part by European biofuel targets, leads to widespread land dispossession, environmental degradation, and the erosion of indigenous cultures.

This policy brief examines China's increasing economic influence in the Mekong region, specifically Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. It details how China's domestic demand for natural resources has driven foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade, filling an investment vacuum left by international financial institutions. While providing infrastructure and capital, Chinese investments in hydropower, mining, and agribusiness present significant environmental and social risks due to a lack of adherence to international sustainability standards.

A report by Rabobank and the World Resources Institute analyzing the drivers of global water scarcity and the potential for private investment in agricultural water-use efficiency technologies.

This research paper, published in December 2007 by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), examines the potential for expanding the export of silk products from Laos. It analyzes the current state of the silk industry, the environmental risks associated with increased production, and the regulatory frameworks governing exports. The document suggests that while silk exports offer economic opportunities, they must be managed to prevent environmental degradation, particularly regarding the use of chemicals and the protection of forests.