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A statement by Friends of the Earth International calling for global solidarity with refugees, specifically those fleeing the conflict in Syria, and outlining systemic changes needed to prevent future displacement, including climate justice and resource management.

This commentary examines the governance of transboundary aquifers, arguing that the principle of "no significant harm" should be prioritized over "reasonable and equitable use" in management negotiations.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how fossil-fuel subsidies act as a barrier to the deployment of renewable electricity. It argues that these subsidies impair the cost competitiveness of renewables, reinforce the dominance of incumbent fossil-fuel systems, and distort investment decisions. The document advocates for fossil-fuel subsidy reform and the pricing of environmental externalities to create a more sustainable energy system.

This briefing argues that the international community should use the process of Syria's accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) as a catalyst for a broader, holistic approach to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) disarmament, specifically within the Middle East.

This fact sheet describes a 2013-2014 Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) project designed to analyze the risks associated with the "new fossil fuel economy," specifically new investments in extraction and trade infrastructure. The project aims to develop tools for supply-side GHG accounting and policy responses to prevent these investments from undermining climate stabilization and sustainable development goals.

This discussion brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute argues for a 'nexus' approach to climate change in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, emphasizing the critical interdependence of water and energy planning for effective mitigation and adaptation.

The Annual Partner Survey 2011-2012 report details the results of a voluntary survey conducted by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in late 2011. The survey gathered feedback from 202 participants—including NGOs, individual consultants, and research institutes—regarding the quality of CDKN's products, its effectiveness in knowledge sharing and partnership facilitation, and its overall influence on organizational practices and policies.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the trend toward increasing transparency in investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). It analyzes how states are moving away from the traditionally confidential nature of private commercial arbitration by integrating specific transparency rules into bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and free trade agreements (FTAs), particularly regarding public notice, document access, open hearings, and amicus curiae submissions.

This briefing paper examines the proliferation and nature of South-South Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), analyzing whether agreements between developing countries differ from the traditional North-South templates. It concludes that while some developing nations are beginning to introduce bespoke provisions and policy exceptions, the majority of South-South BITs continue to mirror the European models established in the 1950s and 1960s.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute synthesises the impacts of agricultural water management (AWM) interventions across 37 cases in developing and newly-industrialised countries. Using the sustainable livelihoods framework, the authors evaluate changes across five capitals: natural, financial, social, human, and physical. The review finds that while AWM interventions generally lead to positive outcomes—particularly in income and yield—there is a significant lack of comprehensive monitoring and evaluation, especially regarding negative externalities and long-term sustainability.

This research paper examines the divergent perspectives between Western leaders and the Muslim world regarding the 'war on terror,' arguing that while the West frames the conflict as a defense of freedom, many Muslims view it as a reaction to Western policies and actions in the Muslim world.

This research paper by Pedro Roffe examines the challenges developing countries face when implementing intellectual property (IP) provisions within bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTAs). It analyzes the shift from the flexible pre-TRIPS era to a 'TRIPS-Plus' environment, where developed nations—particularly the USA, EU, and EFTA—push for higher protection standards. The author argues that developing countries should move beyond defensive implementation toward a creative approach that modernizes national institutions and utilizes existing legal flexibilities to promote local innovation and public health.

This 2005 IISD report analyzes the impact of EU trade policy on conflict in the developing world. It highlights a contradiction: while the EU uses 'soft power' initiatives (like FLEGT and the Kimberley Process) to curb conflict resources and 'carrots' (preferential access) to encourage good governance, its structural policies—such as massive agricultural subsidies and the push for reciprocal Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)—can undermine economic stability and fuel conflict. The report warns that commodity price volatility and the 'resource curse' further destabilize low-income countries, and recommends that the EU conduct conflict assessments of trade agreements and reduce agricultural subsidies to promote global peace and sustainable development.

The report analyzes the impact of bilateral trade agreements on copyright and access to knowledge, noting that agreements involving the U.S. often impose protections (such as 70-year terms and anti-circumvention of TPMs) that exceed multilateral standards. It also summarizes IP disputes in the WTO regarding pharmaceutical compulsory licensing and genetic resource disclosure, as well as tensions at WIPO over the Substantive Patent Law Treaty.

This background paper, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for a 2004 MISTRA workshop in Malmö, Sweden, proposes a research agenda for Nordic countries on the intersection of trade and environment. Based on a survey of 315 publications from 2002 to 2003, the document identifies significant research gaps, particularly regarding the Doha Development Agenda and southern perspectives, and suggests priority areas for future academic and policy research to support sustainable development.

The South Centre and CIEL IP Quarterly Update for the second quarter of 2004 analyzes international intellectual property (IP) policy-making, focusing on the upcoming WIPO General Assembly and developments across multilateral, plurilateral, and bilateral fora. The report highlights the challenges developing countries face when developed nations shift negotiations to bilateral 'TRIPS-plus' agreements to circumvent multilateral flexibilities. Key areas of concern include the protection of genetic resources, the proposed broadcasting treaty, and the Substantive Patent Law Treaty (SPLT).

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the South Centre provides a first-quarter 2004 update on international intellectual property (IP) policy. It highlights a strategic shift by developed countries, particularly the United States, away from multilateral forums like the WTO toward bilateral and regional trade agreements to implement 'TRIPS-plus' standards. The document specifically analyzes the risk of 'non-violation complaints' being applied to IP in these bilateral deals, which could erode the flexibilities available to developing countries under the TRIPS Agreement.

The report provides a quarterly update on international intellectual property (IP) developments for the third quarter of 2004, focusing on the intersection of IP and development. It specifically analyzes the implementation of the FAO's International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and tracks IP-related negotiations across multilateral bodies like the WTO and WIPO, as well as regional and bilateral free trade agreements.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the state of research on the interface between trade and the environment. Based on a survey of 315 publications from 2002 to 2003 and consultations with an expert group, the document identifies significant gaps in current research—particularly regarding developing countries and specific WTO negotiating options—and proposes a new research agenda to better support sustainable development.

A statement from the Center for International Environmental Law and other representatives urging the U.S. Congress to strengthen environmental safeguards in the U.S.-Chile and U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and to reject them as models for future trade initiatives.