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A coalition of organizations wrote to the U.S. Trade Representative in 2004 requesting that the USTR increase transparency in trade negotiations by publishing proposed agreement texts and negotiating proposals on its website and soliciting public comment via the Federal Register. The authors argue that the current ad hoc disclosure process risks bias and excludes non-insider stakeholders, suggesting that the U.S. should require negotiating partners to agree to such transparency as a condition of entry into negotiations.

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.

A December 2003 letter from Friends of the Earth – U.S., on behalf of several environmental organizations, requesting investment-related documents from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), representing itself and three other environmental organizations, submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on December 19, 2003. The request seeks the disclosure of environmental chapters and related provisions from bilateral or regional free trade agreement negotiations conducted since the beginning of 2003.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the intersection of anti-personnel landmines and the development of peacekeeping standby forces in Africa. It analyzes the operational challenges posed by landmines in irregular African conflicts, the progress of the Ottawa Convention across the continent, and the specific legislative and policy frameworks adopted by South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to combat mine proliferation.

This briefing discusses the impact of oil discoveries off the coast of Western Sahara on the long-standing territorial dispute between Morocco and the Polisario Front. It details the failure of the UN-led referendum process, the geopolitical tensions involving Algeria, France, and the United States, and the legal disputes over oil exploration licenses issued by Morocco in the occupied territory.

This briefing by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) details the progress of the WTO Negotiating Group on Rules following the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha. It examines the divisions between developed and developing nations regarding anti-dumping measures, subsidies—specifically fisheries subsidies—and the governance of regional trade agreements (RTAs).

This report analyzes the compliance system of the Kyoto Protocol, describing it as more robust than typical multilateral environmental agreements due to its quasi-judicial enforcement mechanisms and specific penalties for developed nations that fail to meet emissions targets.

This fact sheet from the African Center for Economic Transformation outlines the potential for green industrialization in Africa, emphasizing the need to move from raw material extraction to value-adding industries through integrated policy, finance, and digital infrastructure.

The 'Regional Research Call – Africa START' document outlines a funding initiative managed by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) to support research on 'Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security' across Africa. The program focuses on the sustainability of ecosystem services, aiming to provide policy-relevant research, build regional research capacity, and facilitate knowledge sharing. The call is co-financed by the US National Science Foundation and the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) programme.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Greenpeace analyzes the tensions between international trade rules, primarily those of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the conservation of global fisheries. It argues that current trade interpretations often hinder sustainable fisheries management by prohibiting regulations based on production and processing methods (PPMs). The authors propose a framework to integrate the precautionary approach into trade law, eliminate destructive subsidies, and ensure that investment liberalization does not undermine the ability of states to protect marine resources and traditional fishing communities.

This legal opinion by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the export of pesticides prohibited or not approved in Europe to countries in Africa and Central America is illegal under international law, regional agreements, and human rights obligations.

This legal briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the export of pesticides banned or not approved in their countries of origin—specifically from Europe to Africa and Central America—violates international law, including the Basel Convention, the Bamako Convention, and the Central American Agreement, as well as international human rights obligations.

This statement from the Center for International Environmental Law argues that the World Health Organization (WHO) must actively analyze and intervene in the intellectual property (IP) provisions of bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTAs). The document asserts that these agreements often impose standards that exceed the TRIPS Agreement, potentially undermining the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health and restricting access to affordable medicines in developing countries.

This briefing by the Climate Bonds Initiative, produced for COP22, analyzes the growth and governance of the green bond market. It highlights the shift toward private sector issuance, the increasing role of emerging markets like China, and the necessity of reaching USD 1 trillion in annual green emissions by 2020 to support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

The Climate Bonds Initiative provides capacity building programmes and training courses designed to accelerate the shift of capital toward climate-aligned investment through interactive, practical, and tailored learning.

The 'People Power Now' manifesto, published by Friends of the Earth International, outlines ten demands for a just transition of the global energy system. It argues that the current capitalist economic model has caused biodiversity collapse, the climate crisis, and extreme inequality, which were further highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The document calls for a systemic shift away from neoliberalism and fossil fuel dependency toward a people-centered energy system based on energy sufficiency, democratic control, and social justice.

This manifesto, published by Friends of the Earth International, calls for a systemic transformation of the global energy system to achieve 'Energy Sovereignty.' It argues that the current capitalist and neoliberal economic model has caused biodiversity collapse, climate crisis, and extreme inequality, which were further highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The document proposes ten key demands to transition toward a just, sustainable, and people-centered energy system that treats energy as a common good rather than a commodity.

This executive summary of an energy manifesto by Friends of the Earth International calls for a systemic overhaul of the global energy system to achieve energy sovereignty and climate justice. The document argues that the current capitalist model drives ecological collapse and social inequality, proposing a transition to a people-centered system based on 10 key demands. It advocates for treating energy as a common good rather than a commodity, prioritizing small-scale renewable technologies, and ensuring a just transition that protects workers' rights and addresses historical climate debts owed by the Global North.