Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper examines the complex relationship between anthropogenic climate change and forced human migration. It challenges simplistic predictions of mass migration, arguing that displacement is driven by a combination of climate processes (slow-onset changes) and climate events (sudden hazards), mediated by non-climate factors such as governance, poverty, and adaptive capacity. The author outlines three speculative scenarios for future migration based on IPCC emission storylines and discusses the significant development implications for the poorest countries, which are expected to bear the greatest burden of providing for climate migrants.

This research paper by Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the conceptual, legal, and geopolitical challenges of implementing Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs). It analyzes BCAs as tools to address industrial competitiveness and carbon leakage, while evaluating their compatibility with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and their potential impact on international climate negotiations.

This briefing note, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and CUTS International, Geneva, examines the challenges faced by developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) within the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce. It highlights a significant digital divide and capacity gaps that hinder these nations' ability to participate in negotiations and implement future agreements. The document proposes shifting from a narrow focus on regulatory cooperation toward a comprehensive approach that includes 'enabling issues' such as infrastructure and technical assistance, and suggests adopting a hybrid Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) model based on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to ensure capacity-building commitments are enforceable.

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 policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the emergence of agricultural growth poles (agropoles) and corridors in Africa. It analyzes these tools as strategies to attract private investment and transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture, while highlighting the legal, financial, and operational risks associated with their implementation.

The Sustainable Development Timeline is a fact sheet published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) that chronicles key environmental, social, and economic milestones from 1962 to 2007. It tracks the evolution of sustainable development through the formation of advocacy groups, the adoption of international treaties, scientific discoveries regarding climate and ozone depletion, and major ecological disasters.

This report, produced for the SEED Initiative and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), identifies critical success factors and performance indicators for start-up social and environmental enterprises in developing countries. Based on a literature review and empirical research with ten SEED-supported enterprises, the document proposes a rapid assessment framework to help entrepreneurs and investors determine the viability of nascent ventures and monitor their progress across economic, social, and environmental goals.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a comprehensive analysis of how states can terminate old-generation bilateral investment treaties (BITs). It examines the legal frameworks under public international law, analyzes common termination and survival clause models, and reviews recent state practices. The document offers strategic recommendations for states on whether to terminate BITs unilaterally or by consent, how to handle survival clauses to reduce investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) risks, and provides drafting suggestions for new treaties to avoid the pitfalls of older models.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra examines the role of services trade in transitioning to a circular economy. Based on a survey of 96 firms and 16 in-depth interviews, the report identifies key services—such as IT, R&D, and waste management—that enable circular business models. It analyzes the modes of service delivery, the impact of digitalization, and the regulatory barriers that hinder the international exchange of these services, ultimately proposing an integrated trade policy approach to support global resource efficiency.

This briefing, published by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), outlines the status of trade in services negotiations under the WTO Doha Round as of February 2003. It details the mandated deadlines for market access requests and offers, the disagreements between developed and developing nations regarding 'credit' for autonomous liberalisation and the assessment of trade in services, and the ongoing debates over the establishment of an emergency safeguard mechanism (ESM).

This report by the Institute for Security Studies provides development forecasts for sub-Saharan Africa up to 2043. It compares a 'Current Path' scenario—based on existing policies and historical patterns—against eleven sectoral scenarios and a 'Combined Agenda 2063' scenario. The analysis focuses on demographics, economic growth, extreme poverty, health, and carbon emissions, highlighting the potential for significant improvements in GDP per capita and poverty reduction if integrated policy goals are achieved.

This document is the acknowledgment and introductory front matter for a special report titled "Development pathways for the DRC to 2050," authored by Dr Kouassi Yeboua and published by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) as part of the African Futures & Innovation (AFI) program.

This briefing discusses the implications of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's decision not to award the Mo Ibrahim Prize for good governance in Africa for a specific year, examining the prize's criteria and its role in promoting democratisation on the continent.

This research paper by Dr Jolyon Ford examines the institutional aspects of counter-terrorism strategies in Africa during the second decade following the 2001 9/11 attacks, focusing on the tension between countering threats and maintaining the rule of law and human rights.

This research paper provides an overview of United States contributions to peace and security in Africa, focusing on the current period and immediate future. It defines the nature of instability and insecurity on the continent and outlines the various military, economic, and governance-related measures that Americans believe can attenuate these conditions.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the African Union's (AU) strategy to increase troop levels for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) following suicide bombings in Uganda in July 2010.

This briefing discusses the economic and political decline of South Africa, referencing an article from The Economist and statements by political figures. It highlights failures in education, rising inequality, and systemic corruption within the ruling ANC, while noting the government's counter-claims regarding health and infrastructure successes.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies details a 2000 survey of nine police agencies within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to assess perceptions of organised crime. It identifies significant resource constraints, a lack of standardised definitions for organised crime, and the prevalence of transnational criminal activities, highlighting the need for improved regional cooperation and international training.

This monograph examines the rise of vigilantism in South Africa as a response to a high crime rate and an inefficient criminal justice system. It highlights the Mapogo-a-Mathamaga group as a significant example and provides recommendations for the state to reduce vigilantism by improving judicial transparency, prosecuting vigilantes, and enhancing community partnerships.

This briefing by Max du Plessis analyzes the Kenyan government's efforts to obstruct International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings regarding the 2007-8 post-election violence. The author argues that Kenya's strategy—seeking a UN Security Council deferral under Article 16 of the Rome Statute—is legally flawed and politically risky, while suggesting a complementary approach where national courts try lower-level perpetrators and the ICC focuses on those with the greatest responsibility.