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This research paper by Iryna Bogdanova analyzes the role and effectiveness of technological sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. It examines the transition from the vague sanctions of 2014 to the extensive export controls of 2022, the impact of private sector withdrawals, and Russia's strategies to circumvent these restrictions through self-sufficiency, reliance on China, and parallel imports.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the agricultural negotiation priorities for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It emphasizes that while food security is a central goal, success depends on moving beyond non-binding declarations toward binding commitments, particularly regarding export restrictions for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), domestic support, and public stockholding.

This research paper analyzes the state of electronic commerce debates within the World Trade Organization (WTO) leading up to the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in February 2024. It examines two parallel tracks: the multilateral Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and the plurilateral Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on Electronic Commerce, focusing on the tension between developed and developing economies regarding digital trade rules and the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions.

This research paper by Robert Howse analyzes the current state of the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement system following the blockage of the Appellate Body by the Trump administration. Howse argues that despite the absence of a functioning Appellate Body, the system remains resilient as panels continue to follow established jurisprudence, and some members are experimenting with ad hoc arbitration mechanisms like the MPIA.

This briefing by Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) proposes a set of principles and best practices to guide the design and implementation of Border Carbon Adjustments (BCA). The author argues that as countries increase climate ambition and carbon pricing, BCAs are becoming necessary to prevent 'carbon leakage'—the relocation of emissions to countries with less stringent policies—while warning that such mechanisms must avoid becoming tools for protectionism.

This briefing analyzes the agricultural negotiations for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), focusing on food security, domestic support, and the specific needs of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It argues that success depends on moving beyond non-binding declarations toward binding commitments to regulate food and agricultural trade.

This briefing by Thiru Balasubramaniam of Knowledge Ecology International examines the stalled negotiations within the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding a waiver of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to improve global access to COVID-19 health technologies ahead of the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12).

A fact sheet detailing the demand for eco-certified fish in the United States, specifically focusing on the market for fish from Manitoba and the preferences of younger American consumers.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the outcomes of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UNFCCC held in Durban, South Africa, in 2011. It evaluates the progress made toward a binding global climate agreement, the operationalization of financing and adaptation mechanisms, and the remaining gaps in mitigation ambition.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how performance requirements (PRs)—stipulations imposed on foreign investors to achieve specific development goals—are treated in international investment treaties. It analyzes the tension between the use of PRs to foster sustainable development and the prohibitions on such measures found in WTO agreements and bilateral investment treaties (BITs), highlighting the risks to the policy space of developing countries.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the need for international cooperation on the design and implementation of Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs). It identifies key technical and political friction points—such as emissions calculation standards, geographical exemptions, and revenue use—and evaluates various multilateral, regional, and bilateral forums that could facilitate a coordinated approach to avoid trade tensions and administrative burdens.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) discusses Canada's ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the current state of mercury management in Canada, with a specific focus on Ontario. It outlines scientific assessments of mercury as a neurotoxin, the role of the IISD-Experimental Lake Area (IISD-ELA) in mercury research, and the international and domestic regulatory frameworks governing mercury emissions, releases, and waste management.

This synthesis report summarizes a series of expert dialogues conducted between May 2009 and March 2010 by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Pembina Institute. The dialogues aimed to identify opportunities for trilateral cooperation on clean energy and climate action among Canada, the United States, and Mexico, highlighting the complexities of differing national roles and the impact of U.S. policy uncertainty on continental coordination.

This research paper examines the complex relationship between anthropogenic climate change and forced human migration. It challenges simplistic predictions of mass migration, arguing that displacement is driven by a combination of climate processes (slow-onset changes) and climate events (sudden hazards), mediated by non-climate factors such as governance, poverty, and adaptive capacity. The author outlines three speculative scenarios for future migration based on IPCC emission storylines and discusses the significant development implications for the poorest countries, which are expected to bear the greatest burden of providing for climate migrants.

This briefing paper, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development on 14 December 2004, presents the collective understanding of an international research collaboration on the future of the global climate regime following the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period. The authors explore two primary strategies—'Cap First' and 'Empower First'—to reach a long-term global solution consisting of a cap-and-trade scheme, technology development agreements, and assistance for developing countries.

This research paper by Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the conceptual, legal, and geopolitical challenges of implementing Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs). It analyzes BCAs as tools to address industrial competitiveness and carbon leakage, while evaluating their compatibility with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and their potential impact on international climate negotiations.

This report examines the opportunities and challenges for the Canadian agricultural sector within evolving national and international climate change regimes. It analyzes the sector's mitigation potential, the role of bioenergy, the development of agricultural carbon offsets, and the impact of climate policies on international competitiveness and trade.

This research paper examines the distributive welfare impacts of energy price increases resulting from a Kyoto Protocol scenario—specifically a 6% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 levels. Using a welfare model based on consumer surplus and data from the Canadian residential sector, the authors simulate how different income groups are affected and propose compensation mechanisms to ensure equity.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides recommendations for integrating environmental and public interest protections into the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The author argues that the new agreement should move beyond the 'soft legal obligations' of recent mega-regional deals like CETA and the TPP, instead strengthening the legacy of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC) to ensure trade liberalization aligns with sustainable development.

Demand for eco-certified fish is growing in the US and Europe, driven by young consumers and those viewing the products as status symbols. In the US, supermarket choice is influenced by eco-certification commitments, while Canada's primary European export markets include France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Spain.