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A transcript of a December 2008 address by Jonathan Lash of the World Resources Institute outlining key environmental questions for 2009, focusing on green economic stimulus, U.S. climate legislation, U.S.-China relations, and global forest protection.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International criticizing industrialized Annex I countries for their lack of commitment to emission reductions and financial support for developing nations during climate talks in Poznan.

The Poznan Declaration is a statement issued on December 9, 2008, by a coalition of international organizations opposing the World Bank Group's involvement in the international climate change convention regime under the UNFCCC. The signatories argue that the World Bank is an inappropriate leader for climate action due to its continued financing of fossil fuels, contribution to deforestation, and lack of democratic governance.

This report details the carbon dioxide (CO2) inventory of the World Resources Institute (WRI) for the calendar years 2006 and 2007, outlining emission sources, calculation methodologies, and the organization's efforts to achieve a "net zero" emissions balance through internal management and the purchase of offsets.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) details the job creation potential and economic impacts of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) sectors across the United States and internationally. It compares the employment capacity of green industries against fossil fuel and nuclear sectors and highlights the role of specific policy instruments, such as Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and tax credits, in driving workforce growth.

This research paper examines the historical context of superpower competition in Africa during the Cold War and analyzes the potential implications of a 'new' Cold War or a shift toward multi-polarity between the West and Russia for African states.

This report examines the integration of sustainable development into the regional and bilateral trade arrangements of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), comprising South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland. It analyzes the tension between trade liberalization and national development goals, the impact of the SACU Revenue Sharing Formula, and the outcomes of various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The study concludes that most trade deals focus almost exclusively on market access, neglecting social and environmental pillars of sustainable development.

This research paper examines the legal possibilities and political obstacles to putting Robert Mugabe on trial, analyzing the roles of universal jurisdiction and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

This research paper examines the role of product energy performance standards and processes and production methods (PPMs) in mitigating climate change and their interaction with international trade law. It argues that while energy efficiency standards are highly cost-effective and should be supported by trade regimes, PPM-based measures are more legally complex and controversial, particularly regarding their impact on developing country exporters and their consistency with WTO rules.

This 2008 research paper examines the concept of "embodied carbon"—the total CO2 emitted during a product's lifecycle from raw material extraction to delivery. It contrasts production-based emissions accounting with consumption-based accounting, noting that developed Annex B countries are typically net importers of embodied carbon. The paper discusses the potential for border carbon adjustments to address competitiveness imbalances but highlights significant legal uncertainties regarding non-discrimination principles in trade law and the technical challenges of data availability in developing nations.

This research paper by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) examines the role of trade liberalization in diffusing climate mitigation goods and the challenges associated with negotiating environmental goods and services (EGS) within the WTO Doha Round. It argues that while lowering trade barriers can reduce costs and facilitate technology transfer, liberalization alone is insufficient without complementary financial, regulatory, and technical assistance frameworks to support developing countries.

This research paper examines the role of product standards, energy labelling, and processes and production methods (PPMs) in addressing climate change and their interactions with international trade law and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This background paper, prepared by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) for a 2008 seminar in Copenhagen, examines the complex relationship between intellectual property (IP) rights and the transfer of climate-related technologies. It analyzes how IP can act as both an incentive for innovation and a barrier to the diffusion of technology, specifically exploring the role of the WTO TRIPS Agreement and the UNFCCC framework in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

This research paper analyzes the potential negative impacts of dissolving the Directorate of Specialised Operations (DSO) and the Specialised Commercial Crime Units (SCCU) in South Africa. The author argues that the integrated, project-based model of these units—which co-locates prosecutors, investigators, and analysts—is superior to traditional law enforcement for combating complex transnational organized crime and corruption. The paper expresses concern that transferring these functions to the South African Police Service (SAPS) under the proposed Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) will lead to a loss of functional independence, a dilution of proactive investigative mandates, and a disruption of specialized skill sets.

This case study examines El Salvador's transition from a 'banana republic' characterized by political instability and agricultural dependency to a more diversified, deregulated economy. It details the country's post-civil war reforms, economic strategies, and the remaining challenges it faces, offering lessons for other developing regions, specifically Africa.

This research paper argues that African countries, particularly within the SADC region, should adopt biotechnology and genetic modification to combat food insecurity and climate-change-induced droughts. The author contends that current regulatory stances in Africa are overly influenced by external pressures from the European Union and the Cartagena Protocol, leading to 'regulatory overkill' that may conflict with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and hinder the timely delivery of food relief.

Friends of the Earth International issued a statement rejecting the Roundtable on Responsible Soy (RTRS), arguing that its certification process provides a "façade of sustainability" for agribusinesses and energy companies while failing to address the systemic social and environmental damage caused by industrial-scale soy monocultures.

The International Federation of Friends of the Earth rejects the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS), arguing that its certification process provides a 'greenwash' for multinational corporations and agribusinesses while ignoring the systemic social and environmental damage caused by industrial soy monocultures.

This briefing analyzes the stability of Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe, evaluating it against four theoretical indicators of tyrannical collapse: fissures in the ruling oligarchy, state crisis, external threats, and internal opposition.

The National Chairman's Annual Statement 2008 from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) discusses South Africa's evolving role in global affairs as it approaches the 2009 elections. The statement emphasizes the link between domestic governance and international credibility, outlining three critical tests for the state: responsible leadership during political transition, the resilience of democratic institutions, and the quality of policy implementation in areas such as climate change and conflict resolution. It further addresses regional instability in Africa, the influence of emerging powers like China and India, and the necessity of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.