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This research paper examines the role of product standards, energy labelling, and processes and production methods (PPMs) in addressing climate change and their interactions with international trade law and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the sustainability of electronics and electrical equipment (EEE) supply chains in China. It examines the environmental and social impacts of the sector, from manufacturing and use to end-of-life disposal, and provides a comprehensive set of policy recommendations to transition China toward a 'green' e-product economy through regulatory reinforcement and international cooperation.

This 2008 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the sustainability of the electronics supply chain in China. It examines the environmental and social impacts of production, use, and end-of-life management, highlighting China's role as a global manufacturing hub and a primary destination for electronic waste. The document proposes three strategic pillars for the Chinese government: a national sustainable electronics strategy, a national e-waste strategy, and an international action plan for e-waste management.

This case study examines the development of the Namibian table grape industry, initiated by entrepreneur Dusan Vasiljevic in 1988. It details how the industry leveraged Namibia's coastal climate to fill a seasonal gap in the European market, the role of government negotiations for EU market access, and the subsequent economic impact on the Karas and South Central regions.

This research paper argues that African countries, particularly within the SADC region, should adopt biotechnology and genetic modification to combat food insecurity and climate-change-induced droughts. The author contends that current regulatory stances in Africa are overly influenced by external pressures from the European Union and the Cartagena Protocol, leading to 'regulatory overkill' that may conflict with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and hinder the timely delivery of food relief.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides an interpretive analysis of three major international scientific assessments—the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, the IAASTD, and GEO-4—to determine their implications for the policy goals of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). The analysis focuses on 11 key themes, including climate change, biotechnology, and energy production, evaluating how these global trends affect Canada's agricultural competitiveness, social priorities, and risk management.

This report, prepared by the FiFo Institute of Public Economics for the Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), tests a proposed standardized notification template for subsidies to be used by World Trade Organization (WTO) Members. Using Germany as a case study, the authors demonstrate a significant discrepancy between official WTO notifications and the actual volume of specific subsidies granted by the federal government and the sixteen Länder (states). The report proposes technical improvements to the notification process, including a unique subsidy identifier, to increase transparency and compliance with the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM).

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International argues that genetically modified (GM) crops have not contributed to reducing hunger or poverty and are unsuitable for small-scale farmers due to high seed costs and patent restrictions. The document asserts that GM crops do not increase yields, often increase pesticide use, and primarily benefit large-scale industrial farmers in a few countries through 'convenience' rather than productivity.

Losing Ground is a 2008 report by Friends of the Earth, LifeMosaic, and Sawit Watch detailing the human rights violations associated with the expansion of oil palm plantations in Indonesia. The report argues that the industry's growth, driven in part by European biofuel targets, leads to widespread land dispossession, environmental degradation, and the erosion of indigenous cultures.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes China's preferential trade policy for African Least Developed Countries (LDCs). While the policy is designed to align with the export capacities of these nations, the author argues that its economic impact is modest compared to its symbolic and diplomatic value in signaling China's rise as a global power and alternative to Western donors.

This 2008 briefing paper argues that adaptation is a critical component of climate policy that must be pursued alongside mitigation. It highlights a massive funding gap for adaptation in developing countries, suggesting that annual needs could reach over US$100 billion. The authors emphasize that adaptation is inextricably linked to development and poverty reduction, and they advocate for 'new and additional' funding—potentially sourced from carbon levies—and the transition from isolated projects to comprehensive, country-driven national adaptation plans.

The document examines the controversy surrounding fisheries access arrangements in WTO negotiations, noting the conflict between Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that rely on access fees for development and the sustainability concerns regarding the practices of Distant Waters Fishing Nations (DWFNs) like Japan and the EU.

This research paper analyzes the environmental impacts of trade liberalization on the organic agriculture sector in Lao PDR. It examines how increased market access to the EU, US, and ASEAN countries creates opportunities for 'organic by default' products but also poses risks such as deforestation and the potential shift toward intensive agriculture due to irregular supply and a lack of formal certification systems.

This research paper examines the environmental implications of trade liberalization within the silk handicrafts sector of Lao PDR. While the sector is currently characterized by a low environmental footprint due to organic sericulture and natural dyeing, the author warns that scaling up production to meet growing international demand may lead to increased water pollution and land-use pressures. The paper suggests that maintaining 'green' credentials is essential for accessing premium niche markets and recommends the implementation of a National Export Strategy, improved wastewater treatment, and the establishment of a National Production Centre for sericulture.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) provides a comprehensive overview of employment data and projections across the renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) sectors, comparing them with traditional fossil fuel and nuclear energy industries at national, state, and international levels.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) examines the global state of Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP). It analyzes legal frameworks, national and international programs, and the specific challenges faced by emerging and developing economies in integrating environmental, social, and economic criteria into public purchasing.

This report, prepared by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), analyzes various voluntary and legally binding international options to reduce risks to human health and the environment from mercury pollution. It evaluates these options against seven global priorities, including reducing atmospheric emissions, managing mercury waste, and curbing global supply.

This 2007 IISD report analyzes the compatibility of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and other market mechanisms for sustainable development (MMSD) with various proposed post-2012 climate regimes. It identifies that while the current project-based CDM works in regimes with differentiated targets, it would be incompatible with a system where all countries have binding targets. In such cases, the report suggests a shift toward Joint Implementation (JI)-style mechanisms or 'expanded CDM' models that include sectoral and policy-based crediting. The report emphasizes the need to balance the developed world's demand for low-cost, additional credits with the developing world's need for sustainable development dividends and equitable access to investment.

This briefing examines the state of regional integration in Central Africa, focusing on the roles and interactions of the Central Africa Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). It analyzes the institutional frameworks, the impact of colonial legacies, the influence of external actors like France and the EU, and the challenges posed by overlapping memberships and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the trade policy challenges facing Malawi due to its dual membership in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It analyzes the technical and political implications of these overlapping memberships, particularly as these regional economic communities move toward forming customs unions, and evaluates the impact on Malawi's trade profiles and its negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union.