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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 2007 IISD report analyzes the compatibility of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and other market mechanisms for sustainable development (MMSD) with various proposed post-2012 climate regimes. It identifies that while the current project-based CDM works in regimes with differentiated targets, it would be incompatible with a system where all countries have binding targets. In such cases, the report suggests a shift toward Joint Implementation (JI)-style mechanisms or 'expanded CDM' models that include sectoral and policy-based crediting. The report emphasizes the need to balance the developed world's demand for low-cost, additional credits with the developing world's need for sustainable development dividends and equitable access to investment.

This research paper by Michael Tonry argues that incarceration rates are a matter of political policy rather than a response to crime levels, asserting that sentencing severity does not significantly impact crime trends. Using comparative data from several developed nations, the author contends that mandatory minimum sentences fail to deter crime or ensure consistency, and suggests that South Africa should reduce its imprisonment rates and adopt a structured approach to sentencing.

This research paper evaluates the Ecological Footprint of various diets and food production methods, specifically comparing average UK consumption with nutritionally recommended diets. Using the REAP software tool and input-output analysis, the study finds that shifting toward healthy, plant-based, local, and organic diets can significantly reduce environmental pressure while improving public health outcomes.

This document is a highlights summary of a report by Friends of the Earth International analyzing the global performance of genetically modified (GM) crops between 1996 and 2006. It argues that GM crops have failed to provide superior yields, reduce pesticide use, or alleviate poverty and hunger, while noting significant public opposition in Europe and instances of environmental contamination.

This research paper by Pedro Roffe examines the challenges developing countries face when implementing intellectual property (IP) provisions within bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTAs). It analyzes the shift from the flexible pre-TRIPS era to a 'TRIPS-Plus' environment, where developed nations—particularly the USA, EU, and EFTA—push for higher protection standards. The author argues that developing countries should move beyond defensive implementation toward a creative approach that modernizes national institutions and utilizes existing legal flexibilities to promote local innovation and public health.

This scoping paper, produced for the Trade Ministers’ Dialogue on Climate Change Issues in 2007, examines the multifaceted linkages between trade, investment, and climate change. It analyzes how trade policies influence greenhouse gas emissions, the legal interactions between WTO and UNFCCC frameworks, the physical risks climate change poses to trade infrastructure, and the competitiveness implications of climate regulations.

This research paper argues that South Africa and other developing nations should accept a 'bad deal' in the Doha round of WTO negotiations to prevent the collapse of the multilateral trading system and avoid the risks of bilateral trade agreements dominated by wealthy nations.

This briefing records a June 2006 discussion hosted by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) regarding economic cooperation within the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) initiative. The proceedings focus on the strategic objectives of South-South cooperation and a specific exploration of potential collaboration in the aerospace sector, highlighting the gap between political rhetoric and tangible business integration.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute describes various technologies for generating electricity from the ocean's tides, waves, currents, and heat, detailing their technical requirements, existing global projects, and associated benefits and challenges.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes South Africa's (SA) positions and strategy within the World Trade Organization (WTO) agricultural trade negotiations. It examines the domestic policy-making processes, the influence of stakeholders like Agri SA, and SA's role in international coalitions including the G20, the Cairns Group, and the African Group. The document details SA's specific stances on the three pillars of agriculture negotiations: market access, domestic support, and export competition, while recommending greater transparency and more detailed identification of specific domestic offensive and defensive interests.

This briefing records a discussion by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) on the potential for a trade agreement between the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and China. It examines China's economic rise, the complementary nature of the two economies, and the political tensions within SACU regarding job losses in light industry versus the welfare gains of cheaper imports.

This report by Friends of the Earth International argues that World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and regional free trade agreements prioritize corporate profit over environmental sustainability and human rights, leading to the loss of livelihoods for millions of small-scale farmers, fishers, and indigenous peoples. The document details how trade liberalization facilitates the privatization of natural resources, undermines food sovereignty, and exacerbates climate change and desertification across various global regions.

This report by the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics & Environment (SAWTEE) analyzes tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting five select Nepalese agricultural exports: tea, natural honey, floriculture, medicinal plants, and vegetable seeds. It examines market access across 12 international markets, distinguishing between the high tariff barriers found in neighboring South Asian countries and the high incidence of non-tariff measures (NTMs) in developed economies.

This research paper analyzes the impact of United Nations (UN) Panel of Experts missions in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between 1999 and 2002. The author argues that these panels serve as critical peace-building tools by providing credible, independent investigations into sanctions violations and the illegal exploitation of natural resources, which in turn reduces the military capacity of spoilers and criminalizes the activities of those fueling conflict.

This research paper examines the impact of European Union (EU) sugar subsidy reforms and World Trade Organisation (WTO) rulings on African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) sugar-producing countries. It argues that while developed-country subsidies distort global trade, the rapid removal of preferential access threatens the livelihoods of vulnerable farmers and requires more substantial adjustment assistance and a phased transition to ensure sustainable development.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) argues that achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) requires the integration of environmentally sustainable strategies across all goals, specifically focusing on freshwater, energy, and sanitation. The study identifies significant gaps in current MDG planning, particularly regarding the water requirements for food production and the need for innovative sanitation solutions. It estimates that an annual investment of USD 107 billion is required between 2005 and 2015 to meet targets for water, food, sanitation, and energy using sustainable pathways.

This research paper examines the impact of foreign aid on political stability in the Melanesian Pacific (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu). It argues that while aid is officially presented as altruistic, it is often used by donor nations like Australia, Japan, and China to secure geo-strategic influence and resource access. The author finds that aid can support stability through governance and peace-building initiatives, but can also 'abet' instability by fostering corruption, widening wealth gaps, creating aid dependency, and inadvertently financing internal repression.

This policy submission by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the challenges of aid delivery to Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It argues that while per capita aid is often higher for SIDS than for mainland developing countries, overall aid levels declined by over 50 percent between 1994 and 2004. The document proposes eight reforms to make aid more effective, including untying aid from donor procurement, harmonising policies across donors, and replacing GDP-per-capita assessments with vulnerability indices.

This 2004 report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) argues that environmental rights are fundamental human rights, essential for survival, health, and dignity. It documents numerous global case studies where neoliberal economic globalization and corporate activities have led to the violation of these rights, including the displacement of indigenous peoples, toxic pollution, and the privatization of water. The document advocates for a framework of environmental justice, the recognition of new rights for climate refugees, and the enforcement of corporate accountability through legal mechanisms and international norms.