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The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) submitted recommendations to Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the renegotiation of older-generation bilateral investment treaties (BITs). The IISD advocates for terminating outdated treaties and replacing them with a new generation of frameworks that prioritize sustainable development, climate action, and national regulatory autonomy over blanket investor protections.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) submitted recommendations to the Australian government regarding the renegotiation of older-generation bilateral investment treaties (BITs). The IISD argues that these treaties prioritize investor protection and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) over public policy and urges a shift toward treaties that facilitate sustainable investment and climate action.

This report summarizes the results of a 2025 public consultation conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to identify pressing policy problems in international investment governance and determine the ideal tools—such as national laws or treaties—to address them.

This case study describes the reform of the Investment Promotion Law in Laos, supported by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). The reforms aim to address revenue leakage caused by overly generous tax incentives and align investment attraction with sustainable development priorities and fiscal stability.

The State of Green Banks 2025 report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the global landscape of green banks, focusing on their role in bridging a USD 7.4 trillion annual climate funding gap. Based on survey data from 51 public financial institutions, the report identifies four primary models for green banks—standalone de novo banks, enhanced public development banks (PDBs), green facilities within PDBs, and country platforms—and evaluates their suitability for different economic contexts, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) describes a due diligence screening tool developed with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help agribusinesses align investments with the Committee on World Food Security's Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI).

This policy brief examines how the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) and other international tax reforms impact the design and effectiveness of tax incentives within Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly in developing countries. It argues that excessive reliance on tax holidays and exemptions is often ineffective for long-term competitiveness and may now lead to revenue loss as the GMT allows other jurisdictions to collect top-up taxes. The document recommends transitioning toward cost-based incentives, improving non-fiscal investment environments, and coordinating national policy to mitigate legal risks associated with investor-state dispute settlements.

This policy brief examines the impact of the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules and the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) on Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly in developing countries. It argues that traditional income-based tax incentives used in SEZs are becoming less effective and may lead to revenue loss to other jurisdictions. The document recommends transitioning toward non-fiscal incentives, cost-based incentives, and better coordination between investment and tax authorities to maintain competitiveness while complying with international standards.

This executive summary outlines a roadmap for rethinking international investment treaties by shifting the focus from fixing existing treaty problems to identifying the foundational policy problems the regime should solve. The authors analyze three main categories: the encouragement of sustainable investment, the regulation of investment project impacts, and cross-cutting governance and international cooperation issues.

This executive summary, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in May 2024, proposes a new framework for designing international investment treaties. Rather than focusing on the flaws of existing regimes, the document suggests a 'roadmap' approach that identifies urgent policy problems in international investment governance and evaluates whether treaties are the appropriate tool to solve them, emphasizing sustainable investment, the regulation of project impacts, and international cooperation.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) analyzes the strategic intersection between the European Green Deal (EGD) and the African private sector. It explores how the EU's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 creates opportunities for African companies in green hydrogen, critical minerals, and sustainable technology, while warning of potential 'lock-in' effects where Africa remains a mere resource supplier.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and CUTS International analyzes the progress of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Initiative on Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) as of February 2023. It details the current state of the draft agreement, highlighting key pillars such as transparency, administrative streamlining, and special treatment for developing nations, while outlining the remaining challenges and the path toward the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13).

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and CUTS International analyzes the progress of negotiations for the WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFD Agreement). It details the current draft's structure—focusing on transparency, administrative simplification, and sustainable investment—and outlines the roadmap toward the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), including the challenges of integrating the agreement into the WTO's legal architecture.

This brochure outlines the sustainable investment advisory services provided by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to developing countries. The IISD offers free training, workshops, and technical advice to help governments design investment laws and policies that contribute to fair and sustainable development.

This brochure describes the Sustainable Investment Advisory Services provided by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to developing countries. The services, which are provided free of charge, include training workshops, seminars, and technical advice designed to help governments ensure that foreign investments contribute to equitable and sustainable development.

The SADC Green Bonds Programme, implemented by FSD Africa and the Committee of SADC Stock Exchanges (CoSSE) from April 2021 to March 2024, aims to increase the use of green bonds to finance climate projects across SADC member countries.

This case study, part of the IISD 'Stories of Change' series, details Liberia's efforts to renegotiate large-scale agricultural concession agreements following its civil war. Through an interview with Ciata Bishop, the document explains how the government transitioned from outdated 'scoop and ship' contracts to a transparent, regulated framework designed to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) while ensuring community benefits, food security, and job creation.

The Taxonomy Roadmap for Chile, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative in May 2021, provides a strategic framework for the Chilean government to develop a national sustainable classification system. The report recommends a phased approach—adopting, adapting, and leading—to align Chile's green finance with international standards (such as the EU and China taxonomies) while addressing local economic specificities, particularly in the mining sector. It outlines governance structures, priority sectors for decarbonization, and the application of the taxonomy to green debt instruments to mobilize capital for Chile's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

The 'Responsible Investments in Agriculture and Food Systems' handbook is a practical guide designed for parliamentarians and parliamentary advisors to foster a transparent and coherent enabling environment for agricultural investments that yield social, economic, cultural, and environmental benefits.

The Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) explains its decision to adopt the term "dirty finance" to describe investments that damage the environment and contribute to climate change, replacing the term "brown finance" due to its offensive connotations for people of color.