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This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) analyzes the use of fiscal instruments within Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) submitted to the UNFCCC by November 20, 2015. The review identifies trends in how countries employ fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR), clean energy subsidies, and carbon pricing to support low-carbon development and GHG mitigation.

This briefing analyzes the UN Sustainable Development Summit, which focused on the adoption of the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It examines the successful negotiation process led by the Open Working Group (OWG), initial national commitments to implementation, and outstanding requirements such as the development of indicators and the outcome of the Paris Climate Change Conference.

This policy brief examines the alignment of Africa's maritime ambitions, specifically the African Union's 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM Strategy), with the regional efforts of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). It highlights the challenges of institutional fragmentation and the need for improved communication and coordination to realize the economic and environmental potential of the Blue Economy.

This technical note describes the methodology used by the World Resources Institute to create country-level projections of water stress for 2020, 2030, and 2040. By aggregating sub-catchment data using spatially weighted water-withdrawal grids, the tool provides rankings across three IPCC-based scenarios (optimistic, business-as-usual, and pessimistic). The results identify countries at extreme risk, while the authors caution that national averages can mask significant sub-national variations and do not reflect the impact of local water governance.

This policy brief analyzes the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), arguing that while it is currently more symbolic than a substantive challenge to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it has the potential to evolve into a more independent and comprehensive financial safety net for emerging economies.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines performance requirements (PRs) in investment treaties, analyzing their types, their prohibition under WTO rules, and their treatment in Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). It evaluates how these requirements impact the policy flexibility of developing countries and provides options for states to preserve their ability to impose PRs to maximize the economic, social, and environmental benefits of foreign direct investment.

This document consists of two distinct sections: a policy brief introduction regarding the utilization of ASEAN-led Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and a commentary on the United Kingdom's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and its potential public health implications.

This report summarizes the outcomes of the SDplanNet-Asia Pacific Regional Workshop Series held in Nairobi, Kenya, in April 2014. It analyzes existing governance practices for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region, identifies gaps in vertical and horizontal integration, and proposes a capacity-building agenda for 2014–2015 to help national and subnational planners implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

WRI urges the Green Climate Fund to adopt a holistic and flexible approach to 'readiness' support. While acknowledging the GCF's initial $30 million focus on helping countries access the fund, WRI argues that long-term transformation requires addressing broader systemic barriers, such as policy development and financial capacity, and utilizing a diverse range of national and international institutions for implementation.

This document consists of two distinct parts: a guide intended to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) leverage the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) free trade agreements to expand markets and promote regional growth, and a critical commentary on the United Kingdom's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), highlighting potential threats to public health.

This guidebook, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC), provides practical guidance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to utilize free trade agreements (FTAs) within and outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It details the mechanisms of internal agreements like the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATiGA) and external partnerships with China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand, while providing country-specific export procedures and support facilities for ASEAN member states.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes policy failures in the governance, accountability, and transparency of financial market actors and proposes policy innovations to advance green finance, specifically focusing on how China can adopt these measures to green its financial markets.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the June 2013 fires and haze crisis in Riau Province, Sumatra, using high-resolution satellite imagery. It argues that ASEAN leaders should use the 23rd ASEAN Summit to commit to collaborative actions, such as making concession maps public and establishing a blue ribbon panel, to prevent recurring environmental and public health disasters.

This policy brief analyzes migration patterns in Bangladesh, finding that while permanent and some international migration are less sensitive to climate change, internal displacement and short-term internal migration are highly sensitive. It highlights the severe impact of disasters, such as cyclones and riverbank erosion in districts like Sirajganj and Munshiganj, and the critical role of international remittances (US$14.17 billion in 2012) in national development.

This report analyzes the use of registration and approval requirements in investment treaties to limit their scope of application. It examines how these requirements function in practice, their interpretation by arbitral tribunals, and provides recommendations for States to ensure such clauses are legally effective and transparent.

This research paper examines the potential for services trade liberalization, specifically in financial and logistics sectors, to enhance food security within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The authors argue that while liberalization alone may not solve rural financial exclusion or infrastructure gaps, integrating food security objectives into services sector reform could provide a strategic rationale for deepening regional integration.

This research paper examines Switzerland's economic diplomacy as a 'small state', detailing its strategies to influence global economic governance and protect its financial centre. It highlights Switzerland's use of inter-ministerial coordination (IDAG20), its participation in the Global Governance Group (3G), and its dual-axis strategy (proactive and preventive) to engage with the G-20 and international organisations. The paper also discusses the challenges small states face at the UN and Switzerland's specific policies on tax information exchange and financial market stability.

This document is an address by Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) delivered to the 49th Session of UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Board on September 25, 2012. Cosbey argues that the outcomes of the Rio+20 conference are insufficient for guiding states through the trade tensions arising from the transition to a green economy. He highlights the conflict between the use of green industrial policies—such as subsidies and local content requirements—and their impact on the multilateral trading system, particularly for developing countries. Cosbey calls for a non-legal, non-negotiating framework, potentially led by UNCTAD, to determine the propriety and effectiveness of these measures before they escalate into formal trade disputes.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the effectiveness of investment incentives in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). It argues that fiscal incentives cannot compensate for a weak investment climate and recommends a transition from automatic tax holidays toward targeted, performance-based incentives and transparent tax administration.

The CRED v.1.4 Technical Report describes the methodology of the Climate and Regional Economics of Development (CRED) model, an integrated assessment model designed to estimate the optimal pace and distribution of global investment in emissions mitigation and climate policy costs.