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This briefing documents the action items from the 23rd Executive Council (CE) meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Panama City on December 9-10, 2006.

This report from the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details activities, institutional agreements, and financial status from May to November 2006, focusing on the implementation of the CRN-II program and regional collaborations.

This 2006 report, prepared for the World Bank, provides a framework for establishing a Circular Economy (CE) indicator system in China. It advocates for the use of Material Flow Analysis (MFA) to monitor resource efficiency and decoupling of economic growth from environmental pressure, drawing on experiences from the European Union, the United States, and Japan.

The report details the activities of the Financial and Administrative Committee (FAC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) between May and November 2006. It covers the selection of external auditors, the development of a procurement manual, salary adjustment policies, and the financial status of the institute, highlighting a concerning dependence on a small number of contributing countries.

This report discusses the World Health Organization's (WHO) role in addressing the impact of intellectual property and trade policies on public health, specifically highlighting how bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTAs) may undermine the public health protections established by the Doha Declaration.

This fact sheet summarizes the personal testimony provided by Dr. James E. Hansen on August 14, 2006, regarding climate change in the legal case of Association of International Automobile Manufacturers et. al. v. the Secretary of Vermont, Agency of Natural Resources et. al.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) reported 'net' CO2 emissions of 1,031 metric tons in 2004 and 978 metric tons in 2005, representing a decrease from its 2000 base year. WRI achieves a 'net zero' balance annually through the purchase of offsets, primarily via the Chicago Climate Exchange. The organization utilizes Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to green 100% of its electricity and has implemented internal efficiency measures, such as energy-efficient lighting and electronic payroll. WRI also published a guide for service sector GHG management and planned a 3,000-square-foot green roof for its office building.

This research paper by Amory B. Lovins argues that climate protection is profitable rather than costly, primarily through energy efficiency and the adoption of decentralized 'micropower' systems. The author contends that market-driven transitions to energy productivity and low-carbon supplies can eliminate oil dependence and reduce carbon emissions without requiring new taxes or mandates.

This document is the report of the 22nd Meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on May 22-23, 2006, in Porlamar, Venezuela. The meeting focused on the strategic development of the IAI's scientific agenda, financial reporting, capacity building initiatives, and the resolution of project compliance and funding issues.

A joint statement from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) to the USTR requesting that the United States adopt a policy of requesting open web-cast hearings for all World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement proceedings to increase transparency and accessibility.

This guide by the World Resources Institute provides office- and retail-based companies with a framework for procuring renewable energy. It details the business case for switching to green power, explains three primary delivery options—retail programs, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), and on-site generation—and offers strategies to minimize costs and account for greenhouse gas emissions.

This 2006 fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute details the significant role of buildings in U.S. energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the energy profile of federal buildings, and examples of energy-efficient building projects globally.

This record of discussion from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the challenges and future directions of South Africa's trade strategy. The briefing covers the gridlock in the WTO Doha Round, the potential for unilateral trade liberalisation, the strategic value of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and the complexities of regional integration within SADC and SACU.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law analyzes proposals from the European Communities (EC) and the NAMA-11 group to establish a 'facilitative mechanism' for resolving non-tariff measures (NTMs) within the WTO. The author argues that such a mechanism would move the WTO away from its rules-based dispute settlement system toward a confidential, non-binding process focused solely on trade impacts, potentially undermining environmental and public health regulations and leaving developing countries vulnerable to power politics.

This research paper argues that South Africa and other developing nations should accept a 'bad deal' in the Doha round of WTO negotiations to prevent the collapse of the multilateral trading system and avoid the risks of bilateral trade agreements dominated by wealthy nations.

This briefing, produced by the ISEAL Alliance and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), summarizes legal opinions on the ability of governments to reference voluntary international standards, specifically non-product related Process and Production Method (npr PPM) standards such as social and environmental criteria, in government procurement under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

This report, based on a survey of 20 humanitarian and development professionals, examines the role of land ownership and tenure in community resilience and recovery following natural disasters. It highlights the critical gap between immediate humanitarian relief and long-term reconstruction, arguing that secure land rights are essential for economic regeneration and reducing future vulnerability.

This fact sheet provides an overview of federal and state funding resources available to transit agencies, school bus fleets, and local communities in the United States for the purchase and deployment of cleaner, advanced bus technologies and related infrastructure.

This research paper examines the state of human trafficking research in South Africa as of 2006, arguing that existing data is rudimentary, methodologically weak, and overly focused on sexual exploitation. It calls for more sophisticated, dispassionate research and the adoption of innovative methodologies to inform the development of specialized anti-trafficking legislation.

This document is the Action List from the Thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Porlamar, Venezuela, on May 23-24, 2006. It records administrative decisions, elections, budget approvals, and policy modifications made during the two-day session.