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This briefing by Simon Maxwell of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) proposes a 'green growth guarantee' as a concrete deliverable for the G20 summit in Los Cabos and the Rio+20 Summit in 2012. The author argues that while technical discussions on green growth are advancing, political leaders need a high-profile commitment to support developing countries in planning and implementing sustainable growth through indicators, financial engagement, and peer review.

In this briefing, Simon Maxwell, Executive Chairman of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), analyzes the failures of 'first wave' environmentalism surrounding the 1987 Bruntland Report and the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. He argues that for the Rio+20 Summit to transform development, it must avoid three historical errors: failing to establish the relative urgency of environmental issues compared to immediate economic crises, lacking a convincing narrative on growth, and remaining isolated within environmental ministries rather than engaging mainstream economic planning.

The report analyzes the failures of 'first wave' environmentalism surrounding the 1987 Bruntland Report and the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to provide lessons for 'second wave' environmentalism in 2012. It evaluates the High Level Panel on Global Sustainability's efforts to address these errors through a focus on relative urgency, a narrative on green growth, and engagement with mainstream economic planning.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the success of the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development depends on integrating a rights-based approach. It examines the historical evolution of human rights and environmental linkages from 1972 to 2002 and critiques the January 2012 Zero Draft of the Rio+20 outcome document for failing to recognize the fundamental right to a healthy environment.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the theoretical benefits and practical drawbacks of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), specifically focusing on their ability to integrate into sustainable development frameworks. It argues that while PPPs can attract capital and encourage life-cycle technology investments, they often suffer from high costs, reduced transparency, and a lack of explicit sustainability safeguards.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of public procurement as a strategic tool for driving green growth and innovation. It argues that governments can leverage their significant purchasing power to create demand for sustainable products, thereby incentivizing private sector innovation and scaling green markets. The document provides a theoretical framework for sustainable value creation and presents several international case studies to illustrate different approaches to Green Public Procurement (GPP).

This report synthesizes the proceedings of a follow-up meeting held on December 1, 2011, to review progress since the 2010 Lake Winnipeg Basin Summit. The meeting focused on the 'Lake Winnipeg Bioeconomy Project,' an initiative by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to transform nutrient loading issues—specifically phosphorus pollution—into economic opportunities through clean technology and sustainable development.

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the ecosystem services concept, detailing the various benefits nature provides to humans and the methodologies used to assign them monetary value. It explores the classification of services into supporting, regulating, provisioning, and cultural categories, while also introducing the concept of 'ecosystem disservices'. The document offers guidance for integrating these values into policy-making at national, local, and corporate levels to promote sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.

In a speech delivered on November 10, 2011, at the South African Institute of International Affairs, French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Alain Juppé discussed the necessity of a new global governance framework that integrates Africa's emerging influence. He outlined four primary shared challenges—economic crisis, development, security, and the environment—and advocated for the reform of the UN Security Council and the creation of a World Environment Organisation to better reflect current global realities.

This research paper examines the conflict surrounding the Xolobeni Mineral Sands Project in South Africa's Eastern Cape. It analyzes the tensions between the AmaDiba community, the Australian mining company Mineral Commodities Limited (MRC), and the South African government, focusing on the failure of community consultation, environmental concerns, and the shortcomings of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) legislation.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates the sustainable development (SD) potential of 12 different bioenergy project types by analyzing the project design documents of 76 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in India, Brazil, and Sub-Saharan Africa. The study finds that the potential for SD benefits varies significantly by project type, with on-farm residue projects claiming the most benefits and industrial forestry residue projects claiming the fewest.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a set of policy options and principles to inform the African preparatory process for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). It argues that the current international environmental governance (IEG) regime is fragmented and fails Africa, which suffers acutely from environmental degradation. The document proposes reforms focused on implementation, accountability, and the transformation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) into a more powerful international institution.

This discussion note, prepared by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for the Pan African Parliament, examines the surge of foreign investment in African agricultural land and water. It highlights the risks to food security, land rights, and the environment, while outlining the legal frameworks governing these deals and the critical oversight role parliamentarians should play to ensure sustainable development.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) submitted comments on July 16, 2011, arguing that the Project Design Document (PDD) for a high-efficiency power generation project by Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd. in India should not be validated. CIEL contends that the project's stakeholder consultation process was inadequate and that the project causes significant environmental harm, potentially violating Indian environmental law.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of safeguards and the pursuit of 'multiple benefits' within the REDD+ mechanism established by the Cancun Agreements. It explores how safeguard systems can move beyond a 'do no harm' approach to actively promote sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and biodiversity conservation. The document analyzes various international safeguard standards, reviews how developing countries are integrating these into their Readiness Preparation Proposals (R-PPs), and discusses the institutional and financial challenges of creating a transparent information-sharing system for monitoring compliance.

This briefing summarizes the outcomes of a February 2011 workshop in Trinidad regarding the transition to a green and resilient economic pathway for the Caribbean. It outlines the region's current vulnerabilities, the systemic obstacles preventing a paradigm shift, and the necessary foundations and characteristics of a green economy designed to enhance resilience and social equity.

This commentary evaluates the first year of the G-20's commitment to phase out inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies, noting the role of the G-20 and APEC in elevating the issue on international agendas and the establishment of the Friends of Fossil-Fuel Subsidy Reform group.

A research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute discussing the risks of the current climate negotiation process and proposing a two-stage transitional agreement to maintain momentum and ensure long-term stability.

This report reviews the 2002 Belgian Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), arguing that it follows a traditional European model that provides extensive protections for foreign investors while imposing broad obligations on host states. The authors contend that the model lacks necessary refinements to preserve policy space for sustainable development, environmental protection, and labour rights, and fails to address governance issues in investor-state dispute settlement.

This fact sheet describes the Global Connectivity Program of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), which focuses on the role of information and communications technologies (ICTs) and the 'global connectivity system' in advancing sustainable development.