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This 2004 research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the relationship between international investment agreements (IIAs) and sustainable development. It argues that the traditional model of IIAs, which focuses heavily on investor protections, has failed to empirically prove its ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and often conflicts with the regulatory needs and development priorities of host states. The paper advocates for a 'Southern Agenda' that balances private investor rights with public goods, transparency, and the specific needs of developing countries.

This white paper examines the integration of Life Cycle Costing (LCC) within sustainable public procurement (SPP), arguing that current models often fail to deliver the best value for taxpayers by overemphasizing upfront purchase prices over long-term operational and environmental costs. The authors identify systemic barriers—including conflicting capital and revenue budgets, a lack of professional expertise, and data gaps—and recommend that LCC be integrated into high-level public expenditure and resource allocation policies rather than remaining a routine procurement task.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development evaluates the feasibility of tree planting in the Canadian prairie ecozone as a method to offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It reviews international policies from the European Union, the United States, and Canada, while analyzing the environmental, economic, and social benefits of afforestation alongside the direct and opportunity costs involved.

This IISD report analyzes the inclusion of Good Regulatory Practice (GRP) and International Regulatory Cooperation (IRC) provisions in regional trade agreements (RTAs), with a primary focus on the USMCA and a comparison with CETA. It examines how these provisions aim to reduce non-tariff trade costs and improve regulatory transparency and stakeholder engagement, while highlighting the administrative and political challenges these obligations may pose for developing countries.

This report by the Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) provides preliminary estimates of global energy subsidies by source for 2007, detailing the assumptions and calculations used for nuclear energy, renewable energy, biofuels, fossil fuels, and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

This policy brief describes the results of a Rapid Trade and Environment Assessment (RTEA) conducted in Namibia from January to June 2009. The assessment aimed to identify 'green' opportunities and threats within international trade law and technical standards to support Namibia's Vision 2030 and National Development Plan (NDP3). It emphasizes that Namibia should avoid the bulk export models of Western nations or South Africa, instead focusing on high-value niche sectors based on its comparative advantages in biodiversity, landscapes, and rangelands.

This 2007 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the environmental impacts of trade liberalization within Thailand's electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sector. It highlights the tension between the sector's role in export-led growth and the resulting environmental challenges, specifically the rapid increase in e-waste and the risks associated with mid-stream production and informal recycling.

This seminar note, authored by Halina Ward of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, examines the tension between the precautionary principle—which advocates for protective action before full scientific proof of risk—and the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It explores differing regional interpretations of risk assessment, the legal status of precaution in international law, and the specific WTO agreements (GATT, TBT, and SPS) that intersect with environmental and health regulations.

The report 'État de la gouvernance environnementale mondiale 2020' examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international environmental governance, the shift to virtual negotiations, and the resulting effects on climate and biodiversity goals. It highlights the challenges of maintaining political momentum and scientific output during lockdowns while noting that the pandemic underscored the interconnectedness of human health and environmental degradation.

The 'State of Global Environmental Governance 2024' report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the intersection of environmental governance and a global 'polycrisis' characterized by geopolitical instability, climate disasters, and financial crises. It highlights a trend toward 'greenlash' and the increasing role of international courts in enforcing environmental commitments, while noting that global governance remains largely siloed across the Rio Conventions and other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) details the outcomes of the UNFCCC climate change negotiations held in Bonn in June and August 2009. It outlines the progress and persistent divisions between developed and developing nations across four key pillars—mitigation, adaptation, technology, and finance—as they worked toward a global post-2012 agreement intended for adoption at COP-15 in Copenhagen.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development details the Government of Canada's efforts to reform and phase out fiscal subsidies for fossil fuel exploration and development, primarily through the adjustment of tax expenditures between 2011 and 2022.

This case study examines the governance and progress of the European Union's efforts to phase out fossil fuel subsidies by 2020, specifically focusing on the mandatory removal of hard coal mining subsidies by 2018 and the broader goals for oil, gas, and coal.

This case study examines the use of consumption taxes on fossil fuels in Saudi Arabia, China, and South Africa to raise government revenue and support clean energy transitions.

This report examines how proposed WTO rules to ban fisheries subsidies could impact the sardinella fishery in West Africa (The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Senegal). It finds that sardinella stocks have been overfished since 2006, driven in part by fuel and capital subsidies that make otherwise unviable industrial and artisanal fleets profitable. While banning these subsidies could lead to long-term stock recovery and improved sustainability, it poses significant short-term socioeconomic risks to local communities and artisanal fishers, suggesting a need for transitional exceptions and improved monitoring and surveillance.

This briefing, submitted as written evidence to an International Development Committee Inquiry, outlines the findings of the 'Trade, Aid and Security' initiative. The document argues that while trade and aid are intended to support security and sustainable development, they can instead undermine stability if not designed with conflict sensitivity. It proposes six key policy objectives to ensure that international trade and development assistance contribute to peacebuilding rather than fueling violent conflict, particularly in fragile states dependent on natural resources.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a comprehensive analysis of how states can terminate old-generation bilateral investment treaties (BITs). It examines the legal frameworks under public international law, analyzes common termination and survival clause models, and reviews recent state practices. The document offers strategic recommendations for states on whether to terminate BITs unilaterally or by consent, how to handle survival clauses to reduce investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) risks, and provides drafting suggestions for new treaties to avoid the pitfalls of older models.

This case study examines market access barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh across four key export industries: leather and leather goods, knitwear, pharmaceuticals, and shrimp processing, specifically focusing on trade with the European Union (EU). While the EU's 'Everything But Arms' (EBA) policy has removed most tariffs and quotas, the study finds that non-tariff barriers (NTBs)—particularly technical regulations, standards, and certification requirements—remain significant obstacles to trade expansion.

This report examines the potential, challenges, and opportunities of expanding tiger shrimp aquaculture on sandy land in Vietnam's central provinces. It highlights a shift toward utilizing previously unproductive coastal sandy areas to alleviate poverty and diversify livelihoods, while warning against unplanned expansion that could lead to environmental degradation and groundwater depletion.

This research paper examines the challenges developing countries face in implementing Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) standards and technical regulations. It argues that these requirements, while intended to promote sustainable development, often act as technical barriers to trade due to a lack of institutional infrastructure in rule making, conformity assessment, and accreditation. The author highlights how the gap in technical capacity and the high cost of certification disproportionately affect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and calls for increased technical assistance under the WTO's Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement).