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This policy brief defines 'climate compatible development' as an integrated approach that minimizes climate-related harm while maximizing human development opportunities through low-emissions and resilient growth. It argues that policy makers must move beyond the traditional separation of adaptation, mitigation, and development to achieve 'triple win' strategies that simultaneously promote development, build resilience, and reduce emissions.

This policy brief defines 'Climate Compatible Development' as a strategic approach that integrates climate change mitigation, adaptation, and social development to minimize risks and maximize opportunities in a low-emission, resilient future.

This policy report analyzes the intersection of climate change and ASEAN-facilitated trade and investment policies within the Mekong subregion, highlighting the tension between economic growth through trade liberalization and the vulnerability of natural resources to climate risks.

This report examines the tension between trade and investment liberalization and environmental protection within the Mekong subregion of ASEAN, highlighting the inadequacy of current multilateral efforts and the heavy reliance on foreign donors for environmental policy initiatives.

This briefing examines the tension between trade liberalization and environmental protection within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with a specific focus on the Mekong subregion. It argues that while regional strategies and national laws exist, actual implementation is often weak, frequently driven by foreign donor interests rather than internal political will, and hindered by a regional preference for non-binding 'soft law'.

This report examines the complex interlinkages between trade, climate change, and food security in mainland Southeast Asia, with a detailed case study on Cambodia. It argues that food insecurity in the region persists despite surplus rice production due to structural economic weaknesses and vulnerability to external shocks. The author advocates for a holistic, participatory, and long-term policy approach to mitigate the risks posed by climate change and volatile global markets.

This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines how trade facilitation measures at multilateral, regional, and subregional levels impact the illegal wildlife and timber trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). It analyzes the tension between economic growth driven by infrastructure and trade ease and the resulting depletion of biodiversity, providing recommendations for policymakers to mitigate environmental risks.

This research paper by Saleemul Huq for the World Resources Institute argues that current global and national decision-making processes are inadequate to handle the uncertainty, scale, and complexity of climate change. The author advocates for a paradigm shift from reactive disaster management to proactive disaster preparedness and suggests that wealthier nations and decision-makers can learn effective adaptation strategies from the poorest countries and grassroots communities.

This research paper examines the institutional, structural, and domestic challenges facing South Africa's foreign policy following its tenure on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). It analyzes the tension between South Africa's desire for UN reform and its perceived failures regarding human rights, while noting a shift toward more moderate diplomatic ambitions and a prioritization of domestic economic stability over global influence.

This report analyzes the environmental impacts of the 2004 ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) on the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), specifically focusing on trade flows and pollution levels between China and Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Thailand.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute analyzes the impact of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and draws lessons from previous disasters, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone, to guide recovery and build long-term resilience.

This policy brief examines China's increasing economic influence in the Mekong region, specifically Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. It details how China's domestic demand for natural resources has driven foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade, filling an investment vacuum left by international financial institutions. While providing infrastructure and capital, Chinese investments in hydropower, mining, and agribusiness present significant environmental and social risks due to a lack of adherence to international sustainability standards.

This fact sheet describes the scoping phase of a programme titled 'Building Long-Term Capacity for Managing and Adapting to Climate Change in Asia and Africa', funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and partnered with Global Change Systems for Analysis, Research and Training (START). The initiative aims to enhance the capacity of universities, research institutes, government, industry, and NGOs in selected least developed countries to manage risks associated with climate variability and change.

This research paper examines the environmental impacts of trade liberalization and regional integration on the tourism sector in Lao PDR. It highlights the growth of the industry, the role of ecotourism in conservation, and the risks of unplanned development, while providing strategic policy recommendations to ensure sustainable growth.

This research paper by Kurt Shillinger analyzes South Africa's transition from a regional hegemon during the apartheid era to a self-appointed champion of the 'Global South' in international diplomacy. It argues that while regional strategic rebalancing within southern Africa is not currently underway, South Africa is actively pursuing a rebalancing of global economic and diplomatic power through non-aligned blocs and the United Nations.

This policy brief series by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and IUCN examines the intersection of international trade, foreign aid, and security. It argues that current global trade rules and aid practices often exacerbate instability and conflict in developing countries by promoting economic dependence on volatile primary commodities, maintaining inequitable market access, and supporting unaccountable regimes. The document proposes a shift toward 'conflict-sensitive' policies, including the restriction of 'conflict resources,' the promotion of transparent natural resource revenue management, and the implementation of responsible business conduct to prevent the funding of violent conflicts.

This research paper by Oli Brown for the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the evolving relationship between environmental degradation, natural resource management, and global security. It traces the discourse from the Cold War era to the post-Cold War rise in intra-state conflicts, outlining four primary theoretical approaches to environmental security and proposing practical policy interventions to mitigate conflict driven by both resource scarcity and abundance.

This 2005 IISD report analyzes the impact of EU trade policy on conflict in the developing world. It highlights a contradiction: while the EU uses 'soft power' initiatives (like FLEGT and the Kimberley Process) to curb conflict resources and 'carrots' (preferential access) to encourage good governance, its structural policies—such as massive agricultural subsidies and the push for reciprocal Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)—can undermine economic stability and fuel conflict. The report warns that commodity price volatility and the 'resource curse' further destabilize low-income countries, and recommends that the EU conduct conflict assessments of trade agreements and reduce agricultural subsidies to promote global peace and sustainable development.

This report by Friends of the Earth International and Corporate Europe Observatory argues that the World Trade Organization (WTO) is systematically influenced by transnational corporations to create trade and investment rules that prioritize corporate profit over public health, environmental protection, and community rights.

The report 'Empowering Communities Through Corporate Transparency' by the International Right to Know (IRTK) coalition advocates for the creation of disclosure standards for U.S.-based or U.S.-traded corporations operating abroad. It argues that a 'right-to-know loophole' exists where companies are not required to disclose environmental, labor, and human rights data overseas that they must disclose domestically under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). Through various case studies, the report illustrates how lack of transparency has contributed to industrial disasters, toxic pollution, and human rights abuses.