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The report details Phase One (2001-2003) of a collaborative initiative to integrate disaster risk reduction, environmental management, and poverty reduction into climate adaptation. It argues that protecting natural services and enhancing sustainable livelihoods (SL) reduce the vulnerability of the poor to climate-related hazards. Through case studies and desk assessments in regions such as Sudan, Bolivia, and Vietnam, the project demonstrated that ecosystem management and restoration (EM&R) activities—such as watershed rehabilitation and mangrove reforestation—increase community resilience. The report provides lessons for field implementation and policy integration, specifically suggesting entry points for these micro-scale activities within UNFCCC processes like National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) and the UNDP Adaptation Policy Framework (APF).

The report analyzes the state of trade and environment research, noting a significant volume of work but uneven distribution, with a particular lack of robust research from developing countries. It identifies a shift in focus from direct environmental impacts of trade toward institution building and regulatory effects. The proposed new research agenda emphasizes developing country needs, the proliferation of bilateral and regional agreements, regulatory reform of environmental policies, and specific WTO policy issues such as agriculture and technology transfer.

The authors argue that current WTO measures like the Producer Subsidy Equivalent (PSE) and Aggregate Measure of Support (AMS) are inadequate because they measure the volume of support rather than trade distortion. They propose a terms-of-trade indicator—the ratio of export price index to import price index—to identify unfair trade practices. The paper includes a taxonomy of subsidies and a two-country model to demonstrate how a deterioration in terms-of-trade (below a base of 100) can signal unjustifiable over-subsidization.

The document examines the evolution of diversion in South Africa, moving from disjointed, discretionary practices in the 1990s toward a regulated system under the Child Justice Bill. It details the Bill's mechanisms for expanding diversion, such as compulsory assessments and preliminary inquiries, and categorizes diversion options into three levels based on offence severity. The paper also analyzes the role of the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO) as a primary provider and presents cost-benefit analyses suggesting that increased diversion spending would lead to overall government savings by reducing child detention. Evaluation studies of specific programmes like SAYStOP and DIME generally show positive outcomes in reducing recidivism and improving child well-being.

The report examines the evolution of 'environmental security,' contrasting narrow research focused on violent conflict with a broader 'vulnerability perspective' that emphasizes livelihoods and health. It argues that environmental degradation is rarely a sole cause of conflict but interacts with socio-economic drivers to threaten vulnerable groups, particularly in developing countries. The authors advocate for integrating vulnerability analysis into sustainable development to better protect the poor from risks associated with climate change, urbanization, and large-scale infrastructure projects.

The document examines how information and communication technology (ICT) can be harnessed for sustainable development while warning of negative environmental impacts and the need for policy coherence.

The author argues that while the end of the Cold War initially saw a rise in local conflicts, the overall trend is moving toward a more peaceful world. This optimism is grounded in the observed decline in the number of armed conflicts since the late 1990s and the positive influence of global trends such as poverty reduction, democratization, and the rise of international military interventions for conflict settlement. The analysis highlights that internal conflicts (civil wars) are the dominant form of violence and are most strongly linked to poverty, though the author distinguishes between 'greed' and 'grievance' motivations. The document also notes that while ethnic polarization and resource scarcity are often cited as causes of war, systematic evidence is often ambiguous or secondary to broader economic and political factors.

The document is an annotated bibliography of 165 entries covering water conflicts from 1996 to 2001. It categorizes research into general theoretical and empirical studies, as well as regional studies focusing on the Middle East, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Africa. The author analyzes trends in the literature, noting a growth in general conceptual works and a debate between 'alarmists' who predict 'water wars' and 'skeptics' who emphasize cooperation and risk management.

The report contrasts ecological farming with chemical and GM agriculture, asserting that the latter degrades soil and harms the food chain. It cites historical and modern evidence that biodiverse, organic methods increase crop yields and improve the health of plants, animals, and humans, while GM crops are linked to lower yields, increased herbicide use, and potential soil fertility damage.

The document outlines concerns that the CaMV promoter used in genetically modified organisms could lead to the creation of new infectious viruses, increase susceptibility across species including humans due to the removal of the viral coating, and cause cancer through gene overactivity. It highlights the risk of horizontal gene transfer and gene instability, concluding with the authors' recommendation that all products containing the CaMV promoter be withdrawn.

The document is a collection of academic contributions from the 2001 NACS conference. It explores the complexities of China's transition to a market economy, focusing on the adaptability of the Communist Party, the challenges of urban neighbourhood governance in Shanghai, the dilemmas of bilingual education in Tibetan areas, and the development of indigenous social sciences. It also examines specific cases such as microcredit for poverty alleviation and the failure of a Sino-Norwegian environmental technology project in Yantai.

The paper examines the relationship between poverty and environmental degradation, arguing that while poverty does not necessarily cause degradation, the poor are disproportionately harmed by the loss of natural capital. It critiques the 'Environmental Kuznets Curve' and suggests that sustainable development requires tracking total wealth (natural, human, social, and physical capital) and strengthening institutional frameworks to manage common resources.

The report examines how young professionals—including graduate students, interns, and young employees—contribute to and benefit from knowledge networks dedicated to sustainable development. It argues that while youth bring critical ICT skills and fresh perspectives, they are often relegated to technical roles and excluded from strategic decision-making due to a lack of experience and organizational hierarchies. The document provides specific recommendations for network managers, funders, and young professionals to better integrate youth into the leadership and research processes of these networks.

The report assesses the vulnerability of Canadian Prairie agriculture to climate change, highlighting the historical impact of droughts in the 1930s and 1988. It projects that while warming may extend growing seasons and open northern lands for cultivation, increased evaporation and potential precipitation deficits could lead to more frequent and severe droughts, reducing average potential yields by 10-30%. The document emphasizes the need for policy shifts to incentivize sustainable land management and diversification, noting that current income protection programs may discourage adaptation. It also discusses Canada's potential shift in global competitive advantage, suggesting increased opportunities for wheat and corn exports if other global regions face diminished production.

The report examines the vulnerability of the Canadian Prairies' recreation and tourism sectors to climate change. It predicts that rising temperatures will extend the summer season for activities like golfing and camping but will shorten the winter season, threatening the viability of ski resorts. Environmental shifts, including the northward migration of the grassland ecozone and wildlife, are expected to shift hunting and viewing activities north. The document highlights potential socio-economic risks for rural communities diversifying into tourism and warns of increasing resource conflicts over scarce water between recreationists, farmers, and industry.

The document is an annotated bibliography that examines the ISO 14000 series of standards. It highlights the tension between those who view the standards as a tool for reducing trade barriers and improving corporate efficiency and critics who argue that the lack of specific environmental performance requirements undermines their effectiveness. The text explores the integration of ISO 14000 with other standards like ISO 9000 and EMAS, its applicability to small- and medium-sized enterprises, and its role in transitioning from 'command and control' regulation to a voluntary, market-driven era of environmental stewardship.

The document analyzes the political economy of climate finance in Africa, arguing that the system is dominated by the Global North and market-driven logics that privilege mitigation over adaptation. It highlights how the 'financialization' of climate action shifts risk to vulnerable individuals and exacerbates debt crises in African nations. Through case studies of Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, the paper illustrates the challenges of tracking funds and the limited influence of civil society. It recommends the creation of localized African financing institutions and the use of debt-for-climate swaps to improve sustainability and equity.

The document details the risks of pyrethroids, a dominant class of insecticides used in homes and agriculture. It highlights their role as neurotoxins that can cause acute symptoms like tremors and long-term effects including neurodevelopmental issues in children, reduced human fertility, and potential carcinogenicity. Environmentally, pyrethroids are toxic to fish and beneficial insects like bees. The briefing notes that in Québec, these chemicals have been detected in surface and ground waters, yet they are excluded from mandatory drinking water monitoring. It advocates for non-chemical alternatives and stricter regulation.

The document argues that neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides widely used in corn and soy production, are causing widespread declines in insect and bird populations, particularly honey bees in Canada. It highlights that these chemicals are water-soluble, persistent, and toxic to arthropods, potentially threatening global food security by reducing fruit, vegetable, and nut supplies. While some government reports suggest economic losses from a ban, other studies indicate that neonic seed treatments provide negligible benefits to crop yields. The briefing notes regulatory responses in Ontario, Québec, and the European Union to mitigate these risks.

The document details the neurotoxic effects of pyrethroids on humans and animals, their prevalence in household dust and water sources, and their potential to disrupt endocrine and reproductive systems. It highlights the increased vulnerability of children and the ecological damage to bees and aquatic life, while advocating for non-chemical alternatives and stricter regulation in Quebec and Canada.