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Social and Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology Development in Asia Pacific
This informational brochure examines the development of nanotechnology in the Asia-Pacific region, noting that while countries like China, Japan, and South Korea have invested heavily in the sector, there is a critical lack of funding for evaluating health and environmental risks. Consequently, nanoproducts are entering the market unregulated and unlabeled, despite the technology's promotion as a solution for regional challenges such as energy diversification and disease treatment.
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Document type: Guide
Single-year mitigation targets: Uncharted territory for emissions trading and unit transfers
The paper argues that single-year emissions targets are fundamentally flawed compared to continuous multi-year targets because they create uncertainty regarding cumulative emissions, are more susceptible to annual variability, and are incompatible with domestic emissions trading schemes. The authors highlight that the use of tradable units can further reduce the ambition of single-year targets, potentially allowing countries to meet goals without domestic mitigation. They recommend that future international agreements mandate continuous multi-year targets to ensure comparability and align with global carbon budgets.
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Document type: Research paper
Taking Advantage of ASEAN’s Free Trade Agreements
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.
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Document type: Guide
International negotiations and National climate change legislation
This fact sheet explores the relationship between national climate change legislation and a country's position and ambition within international climate negotiations, specifically within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Reducing climate risk: climate finance and carbon markets
This research synthesis brief from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) outlines the organization's work on climate finance and carbon markets, focusing on the governance of adaptation finance, the limitations of private sector investment in vulnerable regions, and the environmental integrity of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
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Document type: Briefing
Land and environmental rights defenders in danger: an overview of recent cases
This report by the Center for International Environmental Law provides an overview of cases from 2013 involving the harassment, criminalization, and killing of land and environmental rights defenders globally. It highlights the systemic risks faced by individuals opposing extractive industries, large-scale development projects, and land grabbing, noting that these defenders are often targeted by both state forces and non-state actors, including corporations.
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Document type: Report
Climate finance negotiations at COP19 in Warsaw
This guide, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in November 2013, provides a synopsis of key climate finance discussions and deliverables for negotiators attending the 19th Conference of Parties (COP19) in Warsaw. It outlines the progress of the Work Programme on Long-Term Finance, the activities of the Standing Committee on Finance, the operationalization of the Green Climate Fund, and the financial challenges facing the Adaptation Fund.
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Document type: Guide
The Green Economy in the G-20, Post-Mexico: Implications for China
This research paper examines China's approach to the green economy and its interaction with the G-20, specifically following the 2012 Los Cabos Summit in Mexico. The author argues that while China is domestically committed to greening its economic development due to severe environmental degradation, it remains reluctant to accept mandatory international obligations that might hinder its economic growth. The paper highlights a disconnect between China's internal policy terminology and the 'inclusive green growth' framework promoted at the G-20, suggesting that China's organizational structure for G-20 participation further marginalizes environmental policy.
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Document type: Research paper
Statement of Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
This statement by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), submitted to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance on October 30, 2013, argues that the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could undermine public health and environmental protections, particularly regarding toxic chemicals. CIEL warns that mechanisms like regulatory harmonization, mutual recognition, and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) may lower safety standards to a 'lowest-common denominator' and chill the development of more protective laws in the U.S., EU, and globally.
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Document type: Statement
SUBMISSION OF CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (CIEL) ON BEHALF OF CIEL, FRIENDS OF THE EARTH, SIERRA CLUB AND CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY BEFORE THE U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE HEARING ON THE TRANSATLANTIC TRADE AND INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP: ACHIEVING THE POTENTIAL
This statement by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), submitted on behalf of itself, Friends of the Earth, Sierra Club, and Center for Biological Diversity, warns that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could undermine public health and environmental protections, particularly regarding toxic chemicals. The document argues that the pursuit of 'regulatory coherence' through harmonization and mutual recognition may lower standards to a 'lowest-common denominator,' preempt sub-national laws, and create chilling effects on the development of safety regulations globally.
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Document type: Statement
From policy to reality: ‘Sustainable’ tropical timber production, trade and procurement
This report by Friends of the Earth International provides a critical analysis of forestry governance in Malaysia and the timber procurement policies of Japan, South Korea, and Australia. It argues that existing 'sustainable' and 'legal' timber frameworks are often rudimentary technical responses that fail to address systemic issues such as corruption, lack of transparency, and the violation of indigenous customary land rights in producer countries. The document highlights a significant gap between official policy and the reality on the ground, noting that importer countries often rely on the 'faith' of producer-country governance rather than independent verification.
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Document type: Report
National climate change legislation: The key to more ambitious international agreements?
This report by Terry Townshend and Adam Matthews argues that ambitious domestic climate change legislation, specifically targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enables countries to champion more ambitious collective action within the UNFCCC international negotiations.
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Document type: Report
STATEMENT OF CARROLL MUFFETT PRESIDENT AND CEO CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (CIEL) ON BEHALF OF CIEL, FRIENDS OF THE EARTH AND SIERRA CLUB BEFORE THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE SUB-COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, MANUFACTURING AND TRADE HEARING ON THE U.S. – E.U. FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: TIPPING OVER THE REGULATORY BARRIERS
Carroll Muffett, President and CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), provided testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives on July 24, 2013, regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The statement argues that TTIP could undermine public health and environmental protections, particularly in the chemicals sector, by prioritizing the removal of regulatory barriers over safety standards. Muffett advocates for the retention of national rights to determine health protection levels and the exclusion of investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms.
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Document type: Statement
STATEMENT OF CARROLL MUFFETT PRESIDENT AND CEO CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (CIEL) ON BEHALF OF CIEL, FRIENDS OF THE EARTH AND SIERRA CLUB BEFORE THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE SUB-COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, MANUFACTURING AND TRADE HEARING ON THE U.S. – E.U. FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: TIPPING OVER THE REGULATORY BARRIERS
Carroll Muffett, President and CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), provided testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives on July 24, 2013, regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Representing CIEL, Friends of the Earth, and the Sierra Club, Muffett argued that the agreement's focus on reducing regulatory barriers could undermine public health and environmental protections, particularly in the chemicals sector, by favoring industry interests over safety standards.
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Document type: Statement
National climate change legislation: The key to more ambitious international agreements
This research paper by GLOBE International examines the relationship between domestic climate change legislation and a country's negotiating position within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It argues that strong national laws act as an enabler for international ambition by creating political space, increasing economic competitiveness, and building confidence among leaders and investors.
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Document type: Research paper
Oral comments at public hearing on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
Oral comments delivered by Baskut Tuncak of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) on May 29, 2013, regarding the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The statement warns against "enhanced regulatory cooperation" on chemicals that might undermine the European Union's more stringent hazard-based regulatory approach in favor of the United States' risk-based approach.
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Document type: Statement
CLIMATE FINANCE
This situation report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the mobilisation of private sector finance for climate change mitigation and adaptation, with a particular focus on developing countries and the role of the Green Climate Fund.
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Document type: Report
To infinity and beyond: Africa’s role in shaping the international nuclear security agenda
This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the role of African states in the international nuclear security agenda, specifically in the context of the Nuclear Security Summit process and the 2013 IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Security. It argues for increased African engagement and cooperation to balance the peaceful use of nuclear technology with security requirements.
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Document type: Policy brief
Climate change-related migration in Bangladesh
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.
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Document type: Policy brief
Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific: statement on the duplication of the Four Rivers Project in Thailand
Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific (FoE APac) expresses concern that the South Korean government is promoting the 'Four Rivers Project' model for a similar water management contract in Thailand, despite the project's ecological damage and the suppression of critical civil society voices in Korea.
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Document type: Statement