Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper by Iryna Bogdanova analyzes the role and effectiveness of technological sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. It examines the transition from the vague sanctions of 2014 to the extensive export controls of 2022, the impact of private sector withdrawals, and Russia's strategies to circumvent these restrictions through self-sufficiency, reliance on China, and parallel imports.

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.

Demand for eco-certified fish is growing in the US and Europe, driven by young consumers and those viewing the products as status symbols. In the US, supermarket choice is influenced by eco-certification commitments, while Canada's primary European export markets include France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Spain.

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 fact sheet describes the activities of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Energy Program, which provides guidance to authorities on transitioning to sustainable energy systems, reforming fossil fuel subsidies, and implementing international climate commitments.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines agricultural cooperatives as a model for inclusive investment. It details the different types of cooperatives, their benefits for smallholder farmers, the role of foreign investment in these structures, and the necessary legal and governmental frameworks to support their success.

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 briefing by the Prairie Climate Centre examines strategies to enhance the climate resilience of urban electricity and information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, with a particular focus on Alberta, Canada. It advocates for the adoption of robustness, redundancy, and resourcefulness to mitigate risks from extreme weather and long-term climate trends.

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 case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines Argentina's efforts to reduce fossil fuel production subsidies, specifically focusing on the phase-out of oil production incentives while maintaining support for unconventional gas development in the Vaca Muerta field.

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 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 briefing describes the outcomes of the 41st Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, focusing on the instability in Mali. The regional body proposed a military response through the fast-tracking of the Force Mission in Mali (MICEMA) and a Technical Assessment Mission, while noting the challenges of securing international support and a UN mandate.

The African Union established the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC) in May 2013 as a transitional measure to address gaps in its security response, specifically following the need for French intervention in Mali. The ACIRC aims to provide a robust, voluntary force for limited operations while the African Standby Force (ASF) and its Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC) work toward full operationalization. Alongside this military tool, the AU is enhancing conflict prevention through the PanWise network and regional APSA initiatives in the Sahel-Saharan region.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the limited effectiveness of the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUC) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), highlighting allegations of logistical support for rebels and the role of neighboring countries in sustaining conflict through illegal trade and arms supply.

This research paper examines how arms transfers to Libyan rebels by France and Qatar undermine the United Nations arms embargo and violate end-user certificate agreements, highlighting the lack of international monitoring and enforcement in arms control systems.

A briefing by the Institute for Security Studies regarding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Preparatory Committee meeting in New York from 4 to 15 May 2009, focusing on the treaty's pillars and the strategic interests of African states leading up to the 2010 Review Conference.