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This executive summary by Dr. Charles Benbrook for the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the economic and environmental impacts of first-generation genetically modified (GM) crops, specifically Roundup Ready (RR) soy, Bt cotton, and Bt corn, with a focus on lessons from the United States and Argentina.

This executive summary by the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC) examines the role of WTO 'Green Box' support measures in China's agricultural transition following its 2001 accession to the WTO. It analyzes how China can utilize non-trade-distorting support to achieve sustainable development and structural adjustment while arguing that current WTO rules are biased toward developed nations.

This executive summary analyzes the use of agri-environmental and rural development measures within the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework, specifically focusing on the 'Green Box' of the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA). It examines the practices of the 'Quad' countries (EU, Canada, US, and Japan) and evaluates the potential impacts of the Doha Round negotiations on developing countries' ability to support food security and rural development.

This executive summary analyzes the rapid adoption of transgenic crops in Argentina during the 1990s, focusing on the exceptional success of glyphosate-tolerant (RR) soybeans compared to Bt corn and cotton. It examines the intersection of macroeconomic reforms, the adoption of no-till farming, and specific institutional factors that drove this transition, while highlighting regulatory gaps and the need for national biotechnological research.

This briefing paper by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes the international legal framework for foreign investment, arguing that current treaties and agreements prioritize investor rights and liberalization over environmental protection, social goals, and corporate accountability.

A May 2003 declaration by a broad coalition of civil society organizations calling on World Trade Organization (WTO) members to reject the launch of negotiations on investment and other 'Singapore Issues' at the upcoming Ministerial Conference in Cancun.

This briefing reports on an interview conducted on May 1, 2003, with Al-Sadig al-Mahdi, leader of the opposition Umma Party in Sudan. Al-Mahdi discusses the limitations of the IGAD-facilitated peace talks between the Sudanese government and the SPLM/A, arguing that a sustainable peace requires a more inclusive process involving 'new forces' and a transition to democratic elections.

This report documents the 3rd Collaborative Research Network (CRN) PI/IAI-IGBP Meeting held on January 27-28, 2003, in Mendoza, Argentina. The meeting served as a forum for 14 Principal Investigators (PIs) to present progress on IAI-funded projects concerning global change in the Americas and to discuss strategic partnerships between the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP).

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Status Report as of April 30, 2003, details the institute's financial standing for the 2002/2003 fiscal year, including core and program budgets, as well as administrative updates regarding staffing and office space.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) analyzes U.S. energy insecurity, focusing on the risks associated with oil dependence and the potential for energy efficiency to mitigate these threats. Using data primarily from the 2001 EIA Annual Energy Review, the document details the sources and uses of U.S. oil, the economic and security costs of dependence on OPEC and the Persian Gulf, and the technical potential for reducing oil consumption through vehicle efficiency and alternative fuels.

This briefing discusses the impact of oil discoveries off the coast of Western Sahara on the long-standing territorial dispute between Morocco and the Polisario Front. It details the failure of the UN-led referendum process, the geopolitical tensions involving Algeria, France, and the United States, and the legal disputes over oil exploration licenses issued by Morocco in the occupied territory.

This position paper by Friends of the Earth International argues that current global trade rules, particularly those of the WTO, undermine food sovereignty and sustainability. It advocates for a shift from industrial, export-oriented agriculture toward localized, sustainable food systems that prioritize the rights of small farmers and the environment over corporate interests.

The report "Failing the challenge" by Friends of the Earth International is a critical response to Shell's 2003 corporate report. It argues that despite public commitments to sustainable development and human rights, Shell continues to cause significant environmental damage and health crises in communities surrounding its global operations, particularly in the Global South.

The document contains the approved minutes of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC), held on December 2-3, 2002, in Panama City, Panama. The meeting focused on the transition to a new Director, financial audits, the restructuring of working groups, and strategies to increase member country commitment and scientific capacity building in the Americas.

Minutes from the 16th Meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on December 2-3, 2002, in Panama City, Panama. The meeting focused on the appointment of a new Executive Director, financial audits, the restructuring of ad hoc working groups, and strategies to increase member country commitment.

The report documents the 18th meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), held on January 29-30, 2003, in Mendoza, Argentina. The meeting focused on reviewing the IAI Science Agenda, evaluating Core Research Network (CRN) projects, planning future funding calls, and discussing collaborations with international bodies like the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) and the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP).

A declaration by a coalition of non-governmental organizations and civil society groups explicitly rejecting the launch of negotiations on investment and other 'Singapore Issues' at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Cancun in September 2003.

This research paper analyzes the environmental implications of NAFTA'S Chapter 11, arguing that its broad definitions of 'SSSS and expansive interpretations of investor protections may undermine public welfare and the right of governments to regulate for health, safety, and the environment.

This policy brief examines how the World Bank, IMF, and international trade/investment agreements (such as GATS and BITs) pressure developing countries to privatize water services. It argues that these mechanisms often create 'lock-in' effects, where legally binding international obligations prevent governments from regulating water prices or reversing privatization to protect the human right to water. The document emphasizes that water is a social and cultural good, not merely a commodity, and urges policy makers to conduct thorough human rights and environmental assessments before committing to liberalization.

This guide provides an introduction to selecting environmentally sensitive building materials, emphasizing the reduction of embodied energy, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and the impact of industrial manufacturing on global ecosystems.