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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.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides an interpretive analysis of three major international scientific assessments—the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, the IAASTD, and GEO-4—to determine their implications for the policy goals of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). The analysis focuses on 11 key themes, including climate change, biotechnology, and energy production, evaluating how these global trends affect Canada's agricultural competitiveness, social priorities, and risk management.

The 'Choose the Future: Education for Sustainable Development' conference, held in Winnipeg, Canada, from November 26–28, 2008, served as a forum for educators, business leaders, and government officials to discuss the integration of sustainable development (SD) into formal and non-formal education. Organized by the Manitoba Education for Sustainable Development Working Group (MESDWG), the event aligned with the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005–2014) and showcased various initiatives, research, and leadership models aimed at fostering a culture of sustainability in Manitoba and across Canada.

This research paper examines the potential for biodiesel production in the Lao PDR as a means to reduce dependence on imported fuels amidst trade liberalization through ASEAN and the WTO. It evaluates various feedstock options, identifies significant environmental risks associated with land-use change, and recommends the creation of a cohesive national biofuels policy integrated with strategic environmental assessments.

This 2007 research paper, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and IUCN, examines the environmental and social impacts of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Laos, specifically focusing on hydropower, mining, and construction. It analyzes the tension between the government's goal of attracting investment for economic growth and the resulting environmental degradation and social displacement.

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.

This research paper, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the IUCN in December 2007, examines the potential for nature-based tourism to support sustainable livelihoods in Laos. It analyzes the growth of the tourism sector, the role of ecotourism, and the socio-economic impacts on local communities, specifically highlighting the challenges of benefit distribution and the influence of regional integration through ASEAN.

This research paper, published in December 2007 by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the IUCN, analyzes the wood sector in Lao PDR. It examines the trade of wood products, the regulatory framework governing forestry, and the challenges associated with sustainable forest management and certification.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) examines the global state of Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP). It analyzes legal frameworks, national and international programs, and the specific challenges faced by emerging and developing economies in integrating environmental, social, and economic criteria into public purchasing.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law analyzes the gap between the proposed World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) framework for the protection of traditional knowledge (TK) and the actual demands of indigenous and local communities. It argues that the current IGC process is too anchored in existing intellectual property (IP) systems, which communities view as tools for misappropriation, and fails to adequately recognize customary laws and the right to self-determination.

This report analyzes the rapeseed/mustard oil sector in India, focusing on the challenges of price volatility and the effectiveness of national revenue management strategies. It examines the sector's importance to the Indian economy, the dependence of rural households and the government on its revenues, and provides recommendations for stabilizing incomes through productivity gains, futures market development, and tax rationalization.

This issue of SA Crime Quarterly examines public perceptions of crime in South Africa, the role of the private security industry, the impact of sentencing policies on prison populations, and the legal implications of compulsory HIV testing for alleged sexual offenders.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) provides a legal analysis of the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) Resource Allocation Framework (RAF). The RAF uses a GEF Benefits Index (GBI) and a GEF Performance Index (GPI) to determine funding allocations for recipient countries. The study evaluates whether this framework is consistent with the GEF Instrument and the guidance provided by the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) of the conventions the GEF serves, specifically the UNFCCC and the CBD.

A fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute detailing the costs, benefits, and federal funding mechanisms for hybrid-electric buses in the United States as of 2007.

This report, commissioned by Hawai`i County Mayor Harry Kim and authored by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), provides a whole-system evaluation of the county's 2005 goals. It identifies the loss of local land control to outside investors as the island's most critical challenge and offers specific recommendations to accelerate progress in affordable housing, energy self-sufficiency, and environmental stewardship. The document emphasizes the use of measurable indicators to ensure government transparency and the adoption of 'whole-system thinking' to address root causes rather than symptoms of community stress.

This 2006 report, prepared for the World Bank, provides a framework for establishing a Circular Economy (CE) indicator system in China. It advocates for the use of Material Flow Analysis (MFA) to monitor resource efficiency and decoupling of economic growth from environmental pressure, drawing on experiences from the European Union, the United States, and Japan.

This 2006 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines urine diversion as a sustainable sanitation alternative to help meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It details the technical, organizational, and economic aspects of separating urine from faeces to enable nutrient recycling in agriculture, drawing heavily on Swedish municipal experiences and international case studies from West Africa, China, and El Salvador.

This research paper reviews the origins, development, and challenges of the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in South Africa, an initiative designed to address crime and social decay by promoting morality and positive values.

This report analyzes the compatibility of eco-labeling standards and green procurement policies with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, specifically for World Bank borrowers. It concludes that WTO rules generally do not present significant legal barriers to 'greening' project procurement, primarily because government procurement is largely excluded from the main WTO agreements for goods and services. However, the report highlights significant concerns from developing countries regarding the costs, technical burdens, and potential market access restrictions associated with eco-labels, particularly those based on non-product-related process and production methods (npr PPMs).

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the implementation of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Africa, analyzing their potential to address infrastructure and service backlogs. Through eight case studies across sectors including transport, telecommunications, water, power, and eco-tourism, the document argues that while PPPs can offer efficiency gains and fiscal benefits, they are not a 'magic bullet' and are susceptible to the same failures as full privatisation, such as corruption, poor pricing, and lack of transparency. The report provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for African governments to improve regulatory frameworks, conduct thorough feasibility studies, and build institutional capacity to ensure PPPs deliver value for money and social benefit.