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The research paper by Nicolas Lamp explores the emergence of 'multifunctional trade policy,' a paradigm shift where trade policy is used to achieve broad political goals—such as climate mitigation, national security, and labor rights—rather than focusing primarily on economic efficiency and trade liberalization.

This report argues that gender equality is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It examines the historical role of women in UN environmental policies, the economic costs of gender inequality, and the specific benefits of women's leadership in climate action, agriculture, and natural resource management.

This briefing analyzes the historical and systemic link between poverty and environmental degradation, arguing that sustainable development requires integrating these two goals. It highlights how extreme wealth inequality drives resource overconsumption and how the world's poorest populations are disproportionately affected by climate-related disasters, conflict, and zoonotic pandemics like COVID-19. The text advocates for shifting government metrics from GDP to national well-being indices and limiting the resource consumption of the wealthiest 10% to allow the poor to escape poverty within planetary boundaries.

This research paper by Rashmi Jose analyzes the proposed Investment Facilitation for Development (FID) Agreement and the challenges surrounding its incorporation into the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

This research paper by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics, and Environment (SAWTEE) analyzes the challenges and drivers of competitiveness in Nepal's textile and clothing sector. It examines the impact of Nepal's impending graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, the limitations of current industrial policies, and the necessity of shifting from direct export subsidies to structural support and better institutional coordination to maintain global market presence.

This research paper by Nicolas Lamp explores the emergence of 'multi-purpose trade policy,' a paradigm shift where trade policy is no longer focused solely on economic efficiency and liberalization, but is instead used as a tool to achieve broader goals such as climate mitigation, national security, and labor rights.

The 'Step Off the Gas' report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes international public finance for natural gas expansion in the Global South, arguing that such funding locks countries into high-carbon pathways despite the availability of cheaper renewable alternatives.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the agricultural negotiation priorities for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It emphasizes that while food security is a central goal, success depends on moving beyond non-binding declarations toward binding commitments, particularly regarding export restrictions for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), domestic support, and public stockholding.

This research paper analyzes the state of electronic commerce debates within the World Trade Organization (WTO) leading up to the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in February 2024. It examines two parallel tracks: the multilateral Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and the plurilateral Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on Electronic Commerce, focusing on the tension between developed and developing economies regarding digital trade rules and the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions.

This research paper by Pierre Sauvé argues for the modernization of industrial policy to center on the services economy. The author contends that while current industrial policies remain rooted in 20th-century manufacturing paradigms, services now drive global innovation, productivity, and competitiveness, acting as essential inputs for all economic sectors.

This research paper by Pierre Sauvé argues for a paradigm shift in industrial policy, moving from a traditional focus on manufacturing to one that prioritizes the services economy. The author contends that services are no longer merely residual activities but are essential inputs that drive productivity, innovation, and competitiveness across all economic sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing.

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 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 by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the outcomes of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UNFCCC held in Durban, South Africa, in 2011. It evaluates the progress made toward a binding global climate agreement, the operationalization of financing and adaptation mechanisms, and the remaining gaps in mitigation ambition.

This report examines the potential, status, and barriers facing Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) in developing countries. It analyzes how ESCOs use energy performance contracting (EPC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, highlighting China as a major success story while identifying systemic financing, administrative, and policy hurdles in other regions.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how performance requirements (PRs)—stipulations imposed on foreign investors to achieve specific development goals—are treated in international investment treaties. It analyzes the tension between the use of PRs to foster sustainable development and the prohibitions on such measures found in WTO agreements and bilateral investment treaties (BITs), highlighting the risks to the policy space of developing countries.

This report analyzes the fiscal implications of the clean energy transition for the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), focusing on the reliance of government budgets on fossil fuel revenues and the impact of existing subsidies.

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.

The Entrepreneur’s Toolkit is a collaborative, wiki-based online platform launched in 2008 to provide social and environmental entrepreneurs with resources, knowledge, and peer-to-peer advice to enhance business performance and sustainable development impacts.

This case study examines Botswana's strategy to develop downstream diamond beneficiation by leveraging its strong bargaining position during license negotiations with De Beers. The government established a framework to move from raw diamond extraction into cutting, polishing, and trading, though it faces ongoing challenges from low-cost Asian competitors and depleting reserves.