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This policy briefing analyzes how the Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force on 1 December 2009, affects the European Union's (EU) relations with Africa. The author argues that while the Treaty streamlines EU internal processes and foreign policy, Africa is likely to command less attention as the EU prioritizes its own internal financial crises, the Western Balkans, and strategic partnerships with other emerging powers. The document suggests that African leaders should diversify their economic and development partnerships beyond the EU to reduce aid and trade dependence.

This research paper analyzes the intersection of climate change and human rights, specifically focusing on the role of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). It details how global warming threatens rights to food, water, health, and housing, and examines international jurisprudence where environmental harm has been linked to human rights violations. The paper evaluates the marginal role of human rights in the 2009 Copenhagen climate talks and suggests that the CESCR can better monitor State compliance by integrating climate-specific questions into its reporting guidelines and utilizing the Optional Protocol for climate-related complaints. It concludes with eleven recommendations for the Committee to systematically anchor climate considerations in its work.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) in climate change mitigation. It analyzes the potential for carbon sequestration in developing countries, the technical and financial obstacles to including these sectors in international agreements, and the specific policy positions and regulatory frameworks of Canada.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law summarizes the proceedings of the 18th session of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR-18) held in May 2009. The document details debates over a proposed Broadcast Treaty, the establishment of international exceptions and limitations to copyright for education and the disabled, and the ongoing effort to harmonize international protection for audiovisual (AV) performers.

Friends of the Earth-U.S. issued a statement clarifying that it has no affiliation with Club4Climate, a U.K.-based firm, and does not support its claims that a party on a Greek island can help save the world, citing the emissions from aircraft as antithetical to fighting global warming.

This research paper, written for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, examines the conceptual and methodological frameworks for full cost accounting (FCA) in agriculture. It defines FCA as the process of valuing environmental and social costs and benefits external to the market, aiming to provide policy makers and farmers with better information for decision-making. The document details various valuation methods—including market-based, circumstantial, and survey-based approaches—and discusses ecosystem frameworks like those from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. It applies these theories to case studies in the UK, Japan, and other regions to illustrate how agricultural externalities, such as water pollution and biodiversity loss, can be quantified.

This commemorative report by Friends of the Earth International (FOEI), published in June 2001, celebrates its 30th anniversary by documenting community-led sustainability projects across its global network of 66 independent groups. The document highlights local initiatives in forest preservation, organic food systems, biodiversity conservation, climate action, and resistance to neoliberal economic globalization.

This report analyzes the restructuring of Bulgaria's power sector around 2000, detailing the transition from a state monopoly (NEC) to a 'Single Buyer' model with independent producers and distributors. It highlights the heavy influence of the IMF and World Bank, the failure to implement a fully transparent regulatory framework, and the social strain on low-income households. Key technical data includes a total capacity of 12,668 MW, dominated by thermal (51.7%) and nuclear (29.7%) power. The report also notes Bulgaria's GHG emission targets under the Kyoto Protocol and the critical state of its district heating systems.

This fact sheet from the Climate Policy Initiative outlines the financial risks and opportunities for China, the European Union, India, and the United States in transitioning to a low-carbon economy based on an IEA two-degree scenario.

This report is a response from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to the United Nations Secretariat regarding the mandate review of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). IISD recommends renewing the IGF's mandate for a second five-year term but argues that the forum must evolve from a general discussion space into a multi-function body with greater analytic capacity, increased transparency in its governance, and stronger linkages to global policy issues such as sustainable development and climate change.

This research paper examines the impact and stability of the €6 billion migration agreement between the European Union and Turkey, noting that while it initially reduced irregular crossings and disrupted smuggling operations, the deal is now threatened by Turkey's internal political and economic instability.