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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 briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the readiness of governments to manage mine closures and the post-mining transition. Based on a 2019-2020 survey of 17 member countries and 14 Mining Policy Framework (MPF) assessments, the document finds that while awareness is high, many jurisdictions lack the policies, financial assurance, and administrative capacity to effectively manage the environmental and social risks associated with closing medium- to large-scale mines.

This briefing, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development in August 2021, evaluates the readiness of governments to manage mine closures and the transition to post-mining land use. Based on a survey of 17 Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) members and 14 Mining Policy Framework (MPF) assessments across 30 countries, the document finds that while awareness is high, many governments lack the necessary policies, financial guarantees, and technical capacities to effectively manage the hundreds of medium- and large-scale mines expected to close over the next 20 years.

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 case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines Argentina's efforts to reduce fossil fuel production subsidies, specifically focusing on the phase-out of oil production incentives while maintaining support for unconventional gas development in the Vaca Muerta field.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the necessity and current state of leadership training for young professionals in the sustainable development sector. It identifies a critical leadership gap driven by the retirement of senior practitioners and a growing demand for 'green jobs' that exceeds the current training capacity. The document surveys various non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations to analyze existing training models, identify essential cross-cutting skills—such as communication and innovation—and propose collaborative frameworks for networking alumni and evaluating program effectiveness.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a comprehensive analysis of how states can terminate old-generation bilateral investment treaties (BITs). It examines the legal frameworks under public international law, analyzes common termination and survival clause models, and reviews recent state practices. The document offers strategic recommendations for states on whether to terminate BITs unilaterally or by consent, how to handle survival clauses to reduce investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) risks, and provides drafting suggestions for new treaties to avoid the pitfalls of older models.

The Trade Knowledge Network (TKN) is an initiative of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) launched in 1997 to integrate sustainable development into trade policy and practice across national, bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels.

This draft concept paper, developed by the Hemispheric Working Group on Trade and Environment, proposes the creation of an Americas Environmental Accord (AEA) to coordinate environmental sustainability and trade policies across the Western Hemisphere. It analyzes existing sub-regional models—including Mercosur, CARICOM, the Andean Community, the Central American Common Market, and NAFTA—to identify best practices for transparency, civil society participation, and the integration of environmental standards into economic agreements. The document argues that the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) process should be supported by a coherent ecological cooperation agenda to ensure long-term sustainable development.

This policy brief, released in April 2001, proposes a 'triple-win strategy' to integrate trade liberalisation, environmental protection, and social development within the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) process. It argues for moving away from a sanctions-based approach toward a cooperation-driven model to overcome protectionist fears and civil society opposition.

This research paper by Howard Mann of the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines how international trade and investment agreements, specifically NAFTA and WTO rules, impact the management of water as a public good. The author argues that while states retain legal jurisdiction, these agreements can severely limit sovereign control, lock in weak domestic management practices, and prioritize foreign investor rights over local and indigenous needs through secretive arbitration processes.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) explains the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus, highlighting the need for integrated policy approaches to avoid unintended consequences when managing these three interdependent essentials. It details IISD's efforts to operationalize WEF security through watershed-based management in Canada and stakeholder engagement in Suriname.

This fact sheet from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) describes the role of watershed indicator systems in overcoming planning barriers such as data gaps and jurisdictional fragmentation. It outlines IISD's expertise in designing these systems and provides two case studies: the Lake Balaton Region in Hungary and the city of Winnipeg in Canada.

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.

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 research paper examines the rise of transnational organised crime (TCOs) as a global security threat, analyzing how globalisation and the erosion of state authority have facilitated the growth of criminal networks. It explores the relationship between TCOs and various state types—particularly weak and transitional states—and provides a typology of state roles in facilitating or combating illicit activities. The document details the operational characteristics of TCOs, including their use of ethnic networks and risk management strategies, and assesses the specific threats they pose to national security, financial systems, and human rights.

This guide provides a framework for communities to implement a Biocultural Community Protocol (BCP) to engage with external actors, raise awareness, participate in decision-making, and resolve conflicts regarding their territories and resources.

This guide provides a framework for Indigenous peoples and local communities to use biocultural community protocols as tools for engaging with external actors, participating in decision-making, and resolving conflicts. It details strategies for proactive communication, raising awareness through participatory media, and navigating national and international legal processes to protect customary rights and territories.

This report by Natural Justice and Kalpavriksh analyzes the legal and institutional frameworks affecting Indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ conserved territories and areas (ICCAs). It identifies systemic threats to these areas, including a lack of legal recognition for customary land rights and the imposition of exclusionary conservation models. While noting positive developments in international law and specific national initiatives, the report argues that state institutions often continue to undermine ICCAs through discriminatory legislation and inaccessible judicial systems. It provides comprehensive recommendations for governments and international bodies to recognize the self-determination of Indigenous peoples and support the integrity of ICCAs through both legal reform and non-legal support mechanisms.