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The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) has developed a set of customizable model contract clauses designed to help governments implement international best practices for responsible agricultural investment and advance sustainable development.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a framework for governments to implement the 'restitution' of closed mine sites. Restitution is defined as the legal transfer of responsibility from the mine operator to a subsequent landowner after closure activities are completed and approved. The document identifies systemic gaps in global policies, where sites often remain indefinitely with operators or are transferred without adequate funding for long-term monitoring. It proposes a six-step policy process: requiring comprehensive closure plans, conducting independent inspections, establishing residual risk management plans, creating funding mechanisms, executing legal transfers, and implementing long-term monitoring.

This executive summary by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the evolution and current state of national investment laws. It argues that these laws are versatile policy instruments that have shifted from supporting national development goals in the 1950s-70s to aligning with international investment treaties between 1980 and 2010. The document provides a framework for policymakers to redesign these laws to better serve sustainable development and avoid the legal risks associated with treaty-style protections.

This executive summary describes a report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) that analyzes the evolution and current functions of national investment laws. It provides a framework for policymakers to reform these laws, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all model and that laws should be designed based on specific national objectives and desired functions, such as promoting sustainable development.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) issued a statement regarding the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine, highlighting the resulting humanitarian and environmental crises and the broader impacts of Russia's invasion on sustainable development.

This policy brief examines the intersection of climate change and trade for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It argues that a new "sustainability agenda" at the WTO offers opportunities for CARICOM to advance its trade-related climate interests, particularly as the region faces severe vulnerability to rising temperatures and declining global trade competitiveness.

This policy brief examines climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts within ASEAN member states, specifically focusing on the agriculture, energy, and land-use, land-use change, and forestry sectors. It explores how international trade cooperation and trade-related policies can support these regional efforts and aims to provide a bottom-up, developing country perspective to counter the dominance of advanced economies in global trade and climate discussions at the WTO and other international settings.

This executive summary evaluates global progress toward the 2030 goals of halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation. It reports that the world is currently off track, with significant gross deforestation and primary forest loss in 2022, despite some regional successes and an increase in tropical reforestation. The document highlights a critical gap in funding, a lack of transparency in data, and the need for a radical transformation of economic models to prioritize long-term forest value over short-term gains from extraction.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) legal frameworks in mining, focusing on California (USA), Kazakhstan, and Queensland (Australia). It identifies ten key components of a strong ESIA framework and analyzes how these three jurisdictions implement and improve their respective systems to meet sustainability goals.

This document is a regional annex to the 2022 Forest Declaration Assessment, focusing on the Congo Basin. It details a comprehensive evaluation framework consisting of 50 indicators across four themes—forest goals, sustainable production and development, forest finance, and forest governance—designed to monitor progress in forest legality and governance based on Chatham House methodology.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) issued a statement mourning the passing of Ciata Bishop, an international trade and investment lawyer and advisor who advocated for sustainable investment and the involvement of affected communities.

This research paper examines the status of climate change adaptation in Senegal, highlighting the country's high vulnerability due to its geography and the gaps between national top-down strategies and the needs of local communities. It advocates for a shift toward Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) to improve resilience and ensure equitable access to climate finance.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the conceptual, regulatory, and institutional landscape of the bioeconomy in Brazil, with a specific focus on the Amazon region. It utilizes a framework of three 'visions'—biotechnology, bioresources, and bioecology—to categorize different strategic approaches and identify conflicts and alignments within Brazil's fragmented governance and regulatory structures.

This policy brief argues that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is an insufficient measure of success and a barrier to financing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It advocates for G20 countries to adopt inclusive wealth indicators by 2025 to better account for long-term sustainability and human wellbeing.

The report 'Greening Aid for Trade' outlines how Aid for Trade (A4T) strategies can be utilized to support developing countries in transitioning to a greener global economy and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This policy brief examines fuel subsidies for marine fisheries in Indonesia, identifying them as the most consistent form of central government support. It highlights the risks these subsidies pose to marine sustainability and the socio-economic uncertainties regarding their benefit to small-scale fishers, while suggesting lessons from broader national fossil fuel subsidy reforms.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the activities of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) in the Legal Amazon from 2009 to 2019. It highlights a concentration of funding in large-scale hydroelectric infrastructure that serves the rest of Brazil, while a significant portion of the local population remains without reliable electricity or basic sanitation. The document suggests that BNDES has an opportunity to pivot toward the energy transition and regional development by investing in renewable energy and digital connectivity.

This conclusion to a special report by the Institute for Security Studies outlines the systemic barriers to development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and proposes a multi-sectoral strategy to achieve inclusive sustainable growth by 2050. The author argues that the country's reliance on volatile commodity markets and a history of poor governance have led to a significant decline in per capita income since independence.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative argues that expanding phone and high-speed internet services in the Legal Amazon can reduce regional isolation and boost the economy without the socio-environmental risks associated with traditional logistics infrastructure like roads.

This research paper argues for a redefined approach to multilateralism to address chronic and catastrophic global risks, specifically the climate crisis and pandemics, which are overwhelming the responsive capacities of nations and communities.