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This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of investment treaties and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms in global governance. It argues that traditional treaties, designed to protect foreign investors and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), often conflict with sustainable development goals by creating 'regulatory chill' and imposing high financial costs on host states. The document advocates for an ambitious reform of investment law to prioritize public interest, environmental protection, and human rights over investor protections.

This 2004 research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the relationship between international investment agreements (IIAs) and sustainable development. It argues that the traditional model of IIAs, which focuses heavily on investor protections, has failed to empirically prove its ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and often conflicts with the regulatory needs and development priorities of host states. The paper advocates for a 'Southern Agenda' that balances private investor rights with public goods, transparency, and the specific needs of developing countries.

This white paper examines the integration of Life Cycle Costing (LCC) within sustainable public procurement (SPP), arguing that current models often fail to deliver the best value for taxpayers by overemphasizing upfront purchase prices over long-term operational and environmental costs. The authors identify systemic barriers—including conflicting capital and revenue budgets, a lack of professional expertise, and data gaps—and recommend that LCC be integrated into high-level public expenditure and resource allocation policies rather than remaining a routine procurement task.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that sustainable public procurement (SPP) is a powerful tool for governments to rebuild economies and infrastructure following disasters and conflicts. It posits that by integrating economic, social, and environmental risks into procurement, governments can signal long-term demand for green goods, stimulate innovation in the private sector, and increase national resilience to future disasters.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the state of negotiations regarding Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) leading up to the 2009 COP 15 in Copenhagen. It examines the technical and political challenges surrounding the scope of REDD, financing mechanisms, measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, and institutional governance, providing guidance for developing countries to navigate these negotiations.

The Sustainable Development Timeline is a fact sheet published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) that chronicles key environmental, social, and economic milestones from 1962 to 2007. It tracks the evolution of sustainable development through the formation of advocacy groups, the adoption of international treaties, scientific discoveries regarding climate and ozone depletion, and major ecological disasters.

This report summarizes a regional workshop held in Panama City in February 2014 by SDplanNet-LAC. The workshop used a rapid foresight exercise to envision the governance and planning practices required for a Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) country to achieve its sustainable development goals by 2030, subsequently comparing this ideal state to the actual governance practices of 2013 to identify capacity-building needs for the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

This report, produced for the SEED Initiative and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), identifies critical success factors and performance indicators for start-up social and environmental enterprises in developing countries. Based on a literature review and empirical research with ten SEED-supported enterprises, the document proposes a rapid assessment framework to help entrepreneurs and investors determine the viability of nascent ventures and monitor their progress across economic, social, and environmental goals.

The report 'État de la gouvernance environnementale mondiale 2020' examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international environmental governance, the shift to virtual negotiations, and the resulting effects on climate and biodiversity goals. It highlights the challenges of maintaining political momentum and scientific output during lockdowns while noting that the pandemic underscored the interconnectedness of human health and environmental degradation.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) details the outcomes of the UNFCCC climate change negotiations held in Bonn in June and August 2009. It outlines the progress and persistent divisions between developed and developing nations across four key pillars—mitigation, adaptation, technology, and finance—as they worked toward a global post-2012 agreement intended for adoption at COP-15 in Copenhagen.

This briefing by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the status of implementation-related issues following the WTO Doha Ministerial Conference. It details the disputes over whether these issues are subject to negotiation or mere discussion, and reviews the failure of various WTO committees to meet deadlines or reach consensus on key trade areas including textiles, subsidies, anti-dumping, and intellectual property.

This briefing, published by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), details the stalemate within the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the mandate to strengthen 'special and differential treatment' (S&D) provisions for developing countries as part of the Doha Round.

This report analyzes the relationship between international trade liberalization and sustainable development in Argentina during the 1990s. It examines how economic reforms, including the Convertibility Plan and the creation of Mercosur, influenced the country's export patterns and their subsequent environmental impacts, focusing specifically on the manufacturing sector and the intensification of agricultural production in the Pampas region.

This policy brief outlines the importance of democratic governance at local levels for the effective disbursement of climate change funding in developing countries. It references a September 2010 civil society meeting in Cape Town where experts discussed national and subnational experiences with the Adaptation Fund, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD).

This monograph examines the rise of vigilantism in South Africa as a response to a high crime rate and an inefficient criminal justice system. It highlights the Mapogo-a-Mathamaga group as a significant example and provides recommendations for the state to reduce vigilantism by improving judicial transparency, prosecuting vigilantes, and enhancing community partnerships.

This report chapter, authored by Martin Rupiya for the Institute for Security Studies, examines the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the militaries of Southern African nations. Based on empirical evidence from Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, the text identifies common trends in disease transmission, the failure of states to implement timely policies, and the specific challenges faced by defence forces regarding recruitment, operational effectiveness, and the social dynamics of testing.

Opening remarks by Kofi Annan on 10 May 2013 in Cape Town for the launch of the African Progress Panel's report, "Equity in Extractives: Stewarding Africa’s natural resources for all". The remarks address the potential for Africa's natural resource wealth to reduce poverty and the necessity of governance reforms and global cooperation to prevent the squandering of these resources.

This report chapter examines the intersection of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and crime, detailing how digital advancements enable new criminal opportunities and challenge traditional law enforcement paradigms. It explores the shift from tangible crime scenes to virtual dimensions and analyzes five technological trends—miniaturisation, ubiquitous computing, the semantic web, peer-to-peer networks, and digital paper—that influence both legal and illegal activities.

This policy brief, published by the Institute for Security Studies in June 2011, examines the governance of climate change funds—specifically the Adaptation Fund, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)—across several developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It highlights systemic issues regarding accountability, stakeholder representation, and the risk of private sector interests overriding local needs.

A letter dated February 24, 2014, addressed to World Bank President Jim Yong Kim from a coalition of 168 organizations and individuals, urging the revival of B-SPAN, the Bank's Internet-based webcasting system.