Search Climate Insights Directory

This briefing outlines the current composition and activities of the Science Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Science Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, including recommendations for electing new SAC members.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Start-Up Plan 1995 outlines the transition from interim governance to a fully operational Directorate. It details the transfer of functions from the Conference of the Parties (CoP) and Executive Council (EC) to an elected Director, the establishment of financial policies and core funding mechanisms, and the interim responsibilities of the Director pro tempore.

This briefing outlines suggested voluntary contributions from member countries to provide substantive support for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), totaling $570,000.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has issued Terms of Reference for a consultancy to develop training materials on science diplomacy related to global environmental change (GEC) in the Americas. This initiative supports the creation of a regional Center for Science Diplomacy (CSD) and the IAI's Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program.

This briefing discusses the intersection of circular economy solutions and international trade policy as a means to achieve decarbonization. It argues that transitioning from primary raw materials to secondary materials, extending product lifespans, and reforming trade barriers are essential for meeting net-zero goals, as the extraction and processing of material resources account for half of global greenhouse gas emissions.

This research paper analyzes the transition of international trade and climate discussions from abstract principles to practical implementation. It examines the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in managing climate-related trade measures, such as carbon border adjustments and deforestation regulations, ahead of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the shift in international trade and climate discussions from abstract principles to practical application. It focuses on the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in managing Climate-related Trade Measures (CTMs), specifically carbon border adjustment mechanisms and deforestation regulations, ahead of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

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 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 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) provides a set of guidelines for the design and implementation of Border Carbon Adjustment (BCA) regimes. Based on two years of national stakeholder consultations and Global Stakeholder Dialogues, the document offers recommendations to help policy-makers balance climate ambition with the need to avoid trade frictions and regulatory fragmentation.

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.

The Entrepreneur’s Toolkit is a collaborative, wiki-based online platform launched in 2008 to provide social and environmental entrepreneurs with resources, knowledge, and peer-to-peer advice to enhance business performance and sustainable development impacts.

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 briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment within the large-scale mining sector. It analyzes immediate impacts on direct and indirect labor, the role of national lockdown policies, and the long-term structural shifts toward automation and localized supply chains, while providing recommendations for building future resilience.

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 briefing provides an overview of Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) provisions within 68 Indian International Investment Agreements (IIAs) signed between 1995 and 2010. It categorizes these provisions into three types based on their formulation and examines the extent to which India defines the normative content of FET to guide arbitral interpretation.

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.

This fact sheet by the International Institute for Sustainable Development evaluates Argentina's government support for fossil fuels, ranking it second among G20 non-OECD member countries. While the country shows relatively good transparency and low support for fossil fuel use, it provides substantial funding for oil and gas production, primarily through state-owned enterprise (SOE) investments.