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This report analyzes the implications of the European Green Deal (EGD) for South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and broader trade. It examines the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the Farm to Fork strategy, and the Circular Economy Action Plan, identifying significant risks in the automotive, mining, and agricultural sectors while highlighting potential export opportunities for environmental goods.

The IAI Directorate Report for July 2016 - May 2017 details the institute's efforts to bridge the gap between global change science and policy in the Americas. Key activities include the implementation of the Third Collaborative Research Network (CRN3), the development of transdisciplinary capacity-building programs, and strategic engagement with UN conventions such as the UNFCCC and CBD. The report emphasizes the success of seed grants and professional development seminars in creating multinational research networks and the role of the Science-Policy Liaison Directorate in measuring the impact of scientific production on regional decision-making.

This document consists of a report from the 27th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-27) to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Brasilia, Brazil, from 5 to 6 June 2019, and a subsequent administrative document from March 2020 requesting the formal approval of that report at CoP-28.

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 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 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 report, submitted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to the UNFCCC First Global Stocktake, analyzes the failure of governments to align public financial flows with the Paris Agreement. It argues that public support for fossil fuels remains high and often increases, creating a financial barrier to clean energy deployment. The document provides evidence of subsidy trends, the impact of COVID-19 recovery packages, and offers a framework for fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR) to accelerate the energy transition while ensuring social equity.

This fact sheet describes the activities of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Energy Program, which provides guidance to authorities on transitioning to sustainable energy systems, reforming fossil fuel subsidies, and implementing international climate commitments.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines agricultural cooperatives as a model for inclusive investment. It details the different types of cooperatives, their benefits for smallholder farmers, the role of foreign investment in these structures, and the necessary legal and governmental frameworks to support their success.

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 briefing by the Prairie Climate Centre examines strategies to enhance the climate resilience of urban electricity and information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, with a particular focus on Alberta, Canada. It advocates for the adoption of robustness, redundancy, and resourcefulness to mitigate risks from extreme weather and long-term climate trends.

This seminar note, authored by Halina Ward of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, examines the tension between the precautionary principle—which advocates for protective action before full scientific proof of risk—and the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It explores differing regional interpretations of risk assessment, the legal status of precaution in international law, and the specific WTO agreements (GATT, TBT, and SPS) that intersect with environmental and health regulations.

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.

The 'State of Global Environmental Governance 2024' report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the intersection of environmental governance and a global 'polycrisis' characterized by geopolitical instability, climate disasters, and financial crises. It highlights a trend toward 'greenlash' and the increasing role of international courts in enforcing environmental commitments, while noting that global governance remains largely siloed across the Rio Conventions and other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).

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 case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development details the Government of Canada's efforts to reform and phase out fiscal subsidies for fossil fuel exploration and development, primarily through the adjustment of tax expenditures between 2011 and 2022.

This case study examines the governance and progress of the European Union's efforts to phase out fossil fuel subsidies by 2020, specifically focusing on the mandatory removal of hard coal mining subsidies by 2018 and the broader goals for oil, gas, and coal.

This case study examines market access barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh across four key export industries: leather and leather goods, knitwear, pharmaceuticals, and shrimp processing, specifically focusing on trade with the European Union (EU). While the EU's 'Everything But Arms' (EBA) policy has removed most tariffs and quotas, the study finds that non-tariff barriers (NTBs)—particularly technical regulations, standards, and certification requirements—remain significant obstacles to trade expansion.

This briefing describes the outcomes of the 41st Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, focusing on the instability in Mali. The regional body proposed a military response through the fast-tracking of the Force Mission in Mali (MICEMA) and a Technical Assessment Mission, while noting the challenges of securing international support and a UN mandate.