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This policy briefing examines whether the 'Bali Package'—a set of agreements reached at the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference in December 2013—can resolve the impasse of the Doha Development Round and secure the future of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The author argues that while the package restored faith in the multilateral system and introduced a novel approach to special and differential treatment (SDT), it fails to address the fundamental structural problems of the Doha Round and is overshadowed by the rise of mega-regional trade agreements.

This research paper examines domestic household water consumption in Bangalore, India, to argue that the city's hydrology is primarily driven by social, political, and economic variables rather than biophysical factors.

This background paper describes an action research programme in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, aimed at integrating climate change considerations into district-level disaster management planning. The programme, implemented by GEAG, ISET, and NIDM, successfully moved beyond research recommendations to publish a climate-sensitive District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) by utilizing 'Shared Learning Dialogues' and the Climate Resilience Framework to bridge gaps between national policy and local implementation.

This research paper argues that the mined diamond industry faces an existential threat from synthetic diamonds, which are increasingly entering the gem market undetected. The author contends that the Kimberley Process (KP) must expand its mandate beyond conflict diamonds to include human rights and a robust traceability system for both rough and polished stones to preserve diamonds' status as a store of value.

This report documents an outreach event held on 6 August 2014 in New Delhi, India, to communicate the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) to the Indian public and decision-makers. Organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in cooperation with the IPCC and the Climate Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), the event explored the implications of AR5 for India and South Asia, focusing on vulnerability, adaptation strategies, and low-carbon development opportunities.

This executive summary describes a study on the use of seasonal forecast information (SFI) by small-scale farmers in Bundelkhand, India, as part of the CDKN-funded 'Shubh Kal' project. The research identifies key barriers within a knowledge-action system that prevent farmers from utilizing monsoon forecasts to improve agricultural productivity and mitigate climate risks.

This case study by the Climate Policy Initiative examines the trajectory of Spain's concentrated solar power (CSP) industry, detailing how initial successful incentives led to rapid deployment and innovation, followed by a collapse in investor confidence due to retroactive policy changes and a lack of cost-control mechanisms.

This policy brief discusses the role of technological innovation and policy in providing modern, clean energy to the 'bottom of the pyramid' population, focusing on household energy and rural electricity to achieve climate-compatible development.

This policy brief describes a study titled 'Heat-Related Mortality in India: Excess All-Cause Mortality Associated with the 2010 Ahmedabad Heat Wave,' which analyzed deaths during the May 2010 heat wave in Ahmedabad to determine if extreme heat leads to excess mortality. The brief highlights that while India has national climate change programs, it has lacked specific strategies to adapt to increasing heat, leading the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to develop the first comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat in an Indian city.

This research paper examines South Africa's economic challenges within the BRICS context, focusing on its struggle to transition from an upper-middle-income to an upper-income country while facing de-industrialisation and deep-seated structural inequality inherited from the Apartheid era.

This research paper analyzes the shift in India's foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arguing for a transition from the perceived strategic confusion of the previous UPA government to a pragmatic approach. It suggests that India should prioritize regional connectivity in South Asia, address emerging security threats like climate change and cyber-attacks, and utilize BRICS and IBSA to advocate for a more equitable system of global governance.

This case study examines the economic and nonfinancial returns of adaptive, resilient housing designs in Da Nang, Vietnam, specifically focusing on hazards such as typhoons, flooding, and temperature increases.

This technical report analyzes the impact of climate change on extreme rainfall and flood risk in Da Nang, Vietnam, where rapid urbanization and population growth (11% annually) are compounding risks from sea-level rise and storm surges.

This case study examines housing vulnerability and the need for adaptive, resilient shelter designs in Gorakhpur, India, to address recurring flooding, waterlogging, and projected temperature increases.

This policy brief examines the impact of rapid urbanization and climate change on flood frequency and severity in Da Nang, Vietnam, warning that historical construction standards are insufficient for projected increases in rainfall intensity.

This technical report analyzes the impact of urbanization and climate change on flooding and waterlogging in Gorakhpur, India, projecting increases in rainfall intensity by the 2050s.

This policy brief examines housing vulnerability to typhoons in Da Nang, Vietnam, highlighting how poor construction techniques and structural weaknesses in semi-permanent housing increase risk. It advocates for investigating the costs and benefits of alternative, resilient housing designs to reduce future risks as climate change intensifies storm events.

This report explores the economic impact of temperature on shelter in Pakistan's rapidly growing cities, focusing on the need for adaptive, resilient designs to mitigate the effects of temperature increases and other natural hazards.

This policy brief provides recommendations to government officials in Ahmedabad, India, regarding disaster relief and adaptation initiatives to build resilience against extreme heat events.

This policy brief introduces a report on the vulnerability of outdoor workers, particularly construction workers, to extreme heat in Ahmedabad. It notes that Ahmedabad is the first Indian city to implement a comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for heat events, filling a gap in India's national climate adaptation strategies. The document advocates for coordinated action among government, employers, and health providers to reduce heat stress through educational and policy interventions.