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This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development reviews the role, composition, and effectiveness of National Councils for Sustainable Development (NCSDs) over the past 25 years. It identifies success factors for these bodies as countries prepare to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the potential role of National Sustainable Development Councils (NCSDs) in designing and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Based on a survey of 12 countries, it examines existing national strategies, the challenges of monitoring progress, and the varying responsibilities of NCSDs in advising and implementing sustainable development policies.

An open letter from a coalition of social movements, NGOs, and activists to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, urging a revision of the official definition of 'forests' to better reflect the biological diversity and the needs of forest-dependent communities.

This research paper evaluates the environmental integrity of nitric acid projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), specifically examining risks of carbon leakage and baseline emission manipulation. The authors conclude that while the CDM successfully fostered abatement in a sector that previously lacked such practices, the current methodologies are complex and lead to significant credit issuance delays. The paper recommends transitioning to a common benchmarking approach for baseline emissions to simplify the process and safeguard against leakage.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates the Swedish Ozone Layer Protection programme (OLP), a bilateral initiative from 1999 to 2006 designed to support the implementation of the Montreal Protocol in developing countries and economies in transition. The report identifies country ownership, capacity building, and stakeholder participation as critical governance factors for the successful national phase-out of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). It argues that a shift from top-down regulation to bottom-up governance is necessary for sustainable implementation and provides recommendations for reforming the incentive structures of implementing agencies and the status of national ozone units.

This report details the outcomes of a three-day workshop on 'Supporting Protected Areas in Times of Violent Conflict' held during the 5th IUCN World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa, in September 2003. Co-organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) under a UNDP-supported initiative, the workshop focused on the bidirectional relationship between protected areas and violent conflict, identifying best practices for management during crises and the role of conservation in peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction.

This executive summary examines the domestic import regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) across various global regions and analyzes their compatibility with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. It highlights the contrast between the stringent regulatory regimes in the European Union and the more flexible approach in the United States, while also detailing the emerging biosafety frameworks in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The document specifically evaluates potential legal conflicts regarding mandatory labelling, traceability, and the 'precautionary principle' within the context of WTO agreements such as the SPS and TBT Agreements.

This research paper examines the evolution of international criminal law in the early 21st century, focusing on the impact of the tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. The author analyzes the subsequent efforts to establish specialized courts in Sierra Leone, Cambodia, and East Timor, while arguing that the proliferation of ad hoc tribunals may promote selective justice and that a permanent International Criminal Court is necessary to end the 'culture of impunity'.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the evolution of United Nations peace support operations from traditional peacekeeping to Multifunctional Peace Support Operations (MPSOs). It examines the conceptual confusion between peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and enforcement, while highlighting the challenges of deploying missions in failed states and intra-state conflicts. The authors argue for a shift in operational strategy, suggesting that missions should begin with a strong peace-enforcement posture to establish a secure environment before transitioning to peacekeeping and peacebuilding tasks.

This report by Ember provides an interim analysis of 15 draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) from EU Member States, focusing on the power sector transition. It finds that while wind and solar capacity targets have increased significantly since 2019, they still fall short of REPowerEU goals. The analysis highlights a critical lack of quantified targets for electricity storage and flexibility, as well as poor data quality and transparency across the submitted plans.

This report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) examines the social and environmental consequences of privatizing water and biodiversity across 34 global case studies. It argues that neoliberal policies promoted by international financial institutions (IFIs) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) prioritize corporate profit over human rights and ecological sustainability, disproportionately marginalizing the poor and Indigenous Peoples.

A comprehensive record of the criminal trial of Dr. Wouter Basson, former head of the apartheid-era chemical and biological warfare programme known as Project Coast. The trial, which took place between October 1999 and April 2002, involved 67 charges including fraud, murder, conspiracy to murder, and drug trafficking. The proceedings detailed the use of front companies, the manufacture of incapacitants and toxins, and alleged human rights violations. Dr. Basson was ultimately found not guilty on all remaining charges on April 11, 2002.

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.

This briefing by Natural Justice analyzes the legal and institutional frameworks affecting Territories and Areas of Conservation by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (TICCAs). It examines the gap between international human rights standards and national implementation, highlighting how fragmented laws and a lack of recognition for customary land rights undermine the ability of Indigenous and local communities to maintain the ecological integrity of their territories.