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This briefing analyzes the agricultural negotiations for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), focusing on food security, domestic support, and the specific needs of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It argues that success depends on moving beyond non-binding declarations toward binding commitments to regulate food and agricultural trade.

This research paper by Colette van der Ven argues that African nations must proactively integrate circular economy principles into their clothing and textile industries to achieve sustainable industrialization (SDG 9) and sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12). The author highlights opportunities in sustainable input production, green manufacturing, and the repurposing of second-hand clothing imports to drive economic transformation and maintain competitiveness, particularly in the European Union market.

This briefing by Thiru Balasubramaniam of Knowledge Ecology International examines the stalled negotiations within the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding a waiver of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to improve global access to COVID-19 health technologies ahead of the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12).

This report analyzes the Zambian livestock sector, identifying that rising food prices are driven by high fuel and feed costs, disease outbreaks, and poor infrastructure. It highlights a significant gap between agricultural potential and actual land/water utilization, and critiques the implementation of the National Agriculture Policy and the Fertilizer Support Programme.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the need for international cooperation on the design and implementation of Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs). It identifies key technical and political friction points—such as emissions calculation standards, geographical exemptions, and revenue use—and evaluates various multilateral, regional, and bilateral forums that could facilitate a coordinated approach to avoid trade tensions and administrative burdens.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam. It details the current legislative status, the deployment of emissions trading systems (ETS), and the challenges associated with carbon taxes and international trade implications, such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

This research paper by Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the conceptual, legal, and geopolitical challenges of implementing Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs). It analyzes BCAs as tools to address industrial competitiveness and carbon leakage, while evaluating their compatibility with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and their potential impact on international climate negotiations.

This briefing provides an overview of Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) provisions within 68 Indian International Investment Agreements (IIAs) signed between 1995 and 2010. It categorizes these provisions into three types based on their formulation and examines the extent to which India defines the normative content of FET to guide arbitral interpretation.

This report examines the status of the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce among World Trade Organization (WTO) members as of February 2021, specifically analyzing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on these negotiations and the broader digital economy. It details the acceleration of e-commerce adoption, the persistence of the digital divide, and the progress of ten thematic small groups working toward a consolidated negotiating text for the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12).

This report examines the opportunities and challenges for the Canadian agricultural sector within evolving national and international climate change regimes. It analyzes the sector's mitigation potential, the role of bioenergy, the development of agricultural carbon offsets, and the impact of climate policies on international competitiveness and trade.

This executive summary details an expert meeting held on June 13, 2018, in Ottawa, Canada, organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). The meeting brought together representatives from the Canadian government, academics, and civil society to discuss the reform of international investment law and the revision of Canada's model Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). The discussions focused on transitioning from a traditional investment protection model to one that promotes sustainable development and addresses the negative impacts of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms.

This research paper examines the challenges facing the Codex Alimentarius Commission due to increasing scientific uncertainty and the resulting political tensions in international food standard-setting. The author argues that the Commission must evolve by incorporating elements of the precautionary principle to maintain its legitimacy and functionality in a globalized trade environment.

This report, submitted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to the UNFCCC First Global Stocktake, analyzes the failure of governments to align public financial flows with the Paris Agreement. It argues that public support for fossil fuels remains high and often increases, creating a financial barrier to clean energy deployment. The document provides evidence of subsidy trends, the impact of COVID-19 recovery packages, and offers a framework for fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR) to accelerate the energy transition while ensuring social equity.

This report, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce of China (MOFCOM), analyzes the sustainability of China's fish and fish products market supply chains. Using a Global Commodity Chain Sustainability Analysis (GCCSA) framework, the study examines three specific case studies: tilapia aquaculture, cod reprocessing, and the live reef food fish trade (LRFFT). The report evaluates these chains across ecological, economic, and social dimensions, highlighting China's pivotal role as a global producer, processor, and consumer. It identifies critical challenges including illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, traceability gaps, and environmental degradation, while recommending the adoption of national traceability systems, sustainability certifications, and strategic policy integration with China's Five-Year Plans to ensure long-term sector viability.

This report, produced by the China Association of Aquatic Products Processing and Trade (CAPPMA) in collaboration with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), analyzes the sustainability of China's fisheries and aquaculture supply chains. It focuses on three specific case studies—tilapia, cod, and live reef food fish—to identify environmental and social challenges and provide strategic policy guidance for integrating sustainability into China's national trade and economic policies.

This brochure describes the activities and focus areas of the International Institute for Sustainable Development's (IISD) Economic Law and Policy Program, which provides technical expertise and policy advice to government officials in developing countries to foster equitable and environmentally sustainable economic development.

This fact sheet outlines the International Institute for Sustainable Development's (IISD) Arctic Initiative, which focuses on supporting bottom-up transformations to sustainability in the Arctic region. The initiative addresses root causes of sustainability challenges through four primary areas: climate change adaptation and food security, extractive industries, infrastructure and renewable energy development, and transformative knowledge.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a historical and conceptual overview of global investment governance, focusing on the shift toward 'investment facilitation' as an alternative to traditional investment protection and liberalization models.

This document is an annex to a report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) that evaluates the potential for Nature-based Infrastructure (NBI) to reduce the global infrastructure investment gap. It provides a literature review of infrastructure needs across sectors such as water, energy, and transport, and compares the costs and value generation of NBI against traditional 'grey' infrastructure using SAVi assessments.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of investment treaties and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms in global governance. It argues that traditional treaties, designed to protect foreign investors and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), often conflict with sustainable development goals by creating 'regulatory chill' and imposing high financial costs on host states. The document advocates for an ambitious reform of investment law to prioritize public interest, environmental protection, and human rights over investor protections.