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This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) analyzes how the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India affected the costs and subsidies of solar photovoltaic (PV) and coal-fired thermal power. The analysis finds that the GST has created a relative bias in favor of coal by increasing the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for new solar PV plants while reducing variable costs for existing coal plants.

This report 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 investment treaties, which prioritize investor protection, often fail to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and instead create significant financial and legal burdens for host states, potentially hindering sustainable development and climate action.

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.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development describes the 'Development Box' (DB), a proposed mechanism within the World Trade Organization (WTO) to provide developing countries with enhanced special and differential treatment (S&D) measures in agriculture. The proposal seeks to address negative outcomes of the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) by prioritizing food security and the livelihoods of poor farmers over strict trade liberalization.

This executive summary proposes a "kerosene to solar subsidy swap" in India, suggesting that government funds currently used for kerosene subsidies be redirected to provide marginalized households with off-grid pico solar PV lighting systems. The document argues that such a transition would reduce indoor air pollution and health risks while leveraging a mature market of affordable, certified solar products.

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 document is a technical annex providing the data, definitions, and analytical methodology used for the International Institute for Sustainable Development's digital story, "Mapping India’s Energy Transition: A Data Dive Into the Strategic Role of State-Owned Enterprises in the Energy Sector." It details the parameters collected for nine central public sector undertakings (PSUs) and India as a whole for the 2024–25 financial year.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the conflicting international legal frameworks governing germplasm and plant breeding. It highlights the tension between intellectual property (IP) rights favored by commercial seed firms and the traditional rights of farmers and Indigenous Peoples to save, share, and sell seeds. The document provides an overview of key multilateral agreements and offers guidance for developing country governments on creating national laws that balance commercial innovation with biodiversity conservation and equity.

This final progress report details a partnership between the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), MYRADA, and the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) from July 1999 to December 2001. The project field-tested Appreciative Inquiry (AI)—a participatory development approach focusing on strengths and aspirations rather than problem analysis—within rural India to support sustainable development, gender equity, and livelihoods.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that sustainable public procurement (SPP) is a powerful tool for governments to rebuild economies and infrastructure following disasters and conflicts. It posits that by integrating economic, social, and environmental risks into procurement, governments can signal long-term demand for green goods, stimulate innovation in the private sector, and increase national resilience to future disasters.

This fact sheet describes a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) assessment conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for a proposed Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) system in Dwarka, New Delhi. The analysis evaluates the environmental, social, and economic co-benefits of the system across three demand scenarios to strengthen the business case for public investment in bicycle lanes and safety infrastructure.

The Sustainable Development Timeline is a fact sheet published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) that chronicles key environmental, social, and economic milestones from 1962 to 2007. It tracks the evolution of sustainable development through the formation of advocacy groups, the adoption of international treaties, scientific discoveries regarding climate and ozone depletion, and major ecological disasters.

This research paper examines the systemic vulnerabilities of global pastoral communities and the drivers of conflict associated with their livelihoods. It argues that pastoralists are often politically and economically marginalized, making them susceptible to radicalization and violence, particularly as resource scarcity increases due to climate change and land encroachment. The document proposes a sustainable livelihoods-based framework for conflict analysis and suggests multi-dimensional interventions that integrate pastoralists into wider societal and economic structures while respecting their traditional mobility and resource management practices.

This fact sheet lists the top 15 banana-producing countries in 2016 and references data sources regarding harvest areas, production levels, and Voluntary Sustainability Standard (VSS) compliance.

A fact sheet from the International Institute for Sustainable Development mapping the distribution of coffee production across the top 15 producing countries in 2016, focusing on harvest area, production volume, and Voluntary Sustainability Standard (VSS) compliance.

This fact sheet from the International Institute for Sustainable Development lists the top 15 cotton-producing countries in 2016 and references data sources regarding sustainable markets and crop distribution.

This fact sheet identifies the top 15 sugarcane-producing countries in 2016 and provides a framework for categorizing their production by harvest area and compliance with Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS).

This fact sheet from the International Institute for Sustainable Development lists the top 15 tea-producing countries in 2016, referencing data from the FAO and other sources regarding harvest areas and Voluntary Sustainability Standard (VSS) compliance.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the global tea market, focusing on the growth of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) and the potential for expanding sustainable production in Low Human Development Countries (LHDCs). It examines production trends, trade flows, and the systemic challenges facing the tea industry, such as climate change and inequitable wealth distribution.

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.