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the world trade system how it works and what’s wrong with it
This briefing by Friends of the Earth International examines the theories, institutions, and impacts of the global trade system, arguing that its core principles are fundamentally flawed and prioritize economic growth and corporate interests over environmental sustainability, social equity, and human development.
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Document type: Briefing
rematando los derechos de los pueblos indígenas
This report by Friends of the Earth International (FOEI) examines how multilateral trade negotiations within the World Trade Organization (WTO) could negatively impact the rights of Indigenous Peoples, specifically regarding territorial rights, traditional knowledge, and the management of protected areas and natural resources.
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Document type: Report
Domestic Import Regulations for Genetically Modifi ed Organisms and their Compatibility with WTO Rules
This executive summary examines the domestic import regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) across various global regions and analyzes their compatibility with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. It highlights the contrast between the stringent regulatory regimes in the European Union and the more flexible approach in the United States, while also detailing the emerging biosafety frameworks in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The document specifically evaluates potential legal conflicts regarding mandatory labelling, traceability, and the 'precautionary principle' within the context of WTO agreements such as the SPS and TBT Agreements.
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Document type: Executive summary
trade and people’s food sovereignty
This position paper by Friends of the Earth International argues that current global trade rules, particularly those of the WTO, undermine food sovereignty and sustainability. It advocates for a shift from industrial, export-oriented agriculture toward localized, sustainable food systems that prioritize the rights of small farmers and the environment over corporate interests.
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Document type: Report
Failing the challenge
The report "Failing the challenge" by Friends of the Earth International is a critical response to Shell's 2003 corporate report. It argues that despite public commitments to sustainable development and human rights, Shell continues to cause significant environmental damage and health crises in communities surrounding its global operations, particularly in the Global South.
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Document type: Report
Doha Mandate
This briefing by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) details the status of agricultural negotiations following the Doha Ministerial Declaration. It outlines the 'Doha Mandate' for market access, export subsidies, and domestic support, while highlighting the deep divisions between developed nations, the Cairns Group, and the Like-minded Group of developing countries regarding the implementation and definition of these commitments.
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Document type: Briefing
Developments Since the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference Doha Mandates
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).
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Document type: Briefing
The Information Society and Sustainable Development
This 2003 research paper examines the linkages between the information society and sustainable development, arguing that policy coherence is needed between these two often-isolated fields. It identifies six analytical frameworks: environmental information systems (EIS), eco-efficiency and innovation, negative environmental impacts of ICT, modifying consumer demand, public participation, and poverty reduction. While highlighting benefits like dematerialization, transport efficiency, and poverty mapping, the paper warns of the 'rebound effect' and toxic waste from ICT products.
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Document type: Research paper
ONE SPECIES, ONE PLANET
This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that sustainable development and environmental justice are symbiotically related, asserting that the former cannot be achieved without the latter. The document explores the legal nexus between human rights and the environment, emphasizing the right to a healthy environment, community-based property rights, and procedural rights as essential components for achieving global sustainability and justice.
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Document type: Report
International implicaciones sobre la biodiversidad de las negociaciones en la omc documento informativo
This briefing by Friends of the Earth International examines how the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations following the 2001 Doha Ministerial Conference may undermine the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The document highlights conflicts between trade liberalization and biodiversity protection, specifically regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs), agricultural subsidies, and intellectual property rights.
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Document type: Briefing
The Sustainable Development Communications Network, 1996-2001: An Evaluation
The evaluation of the Sustainable Development Communications Network (1996-2001) finds that the network successfully established the SD Gateway as a leading global portal for sustainable development knowledge, particularly for the global south, and effectively built the communications capacity of its members through collaborative projects. However, it faced challenges with institutional priorities overriding network goals and a lack of member-led fundraising. The report recommends shifting to a 'community of practice' model focused on individual practitioners rather than institutional membership.
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Document type: Report
THE QUITO DECLARATION RECOMMENDATIONS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND ORGANIZATIONS REGARDING THE PROCESS OF THE FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
The Quito Declaration is a statement issued by representatives of Indigenous organizations in May 2000, calling for the recognition of Indigenous Peoples' roles in environmental conservation and demanding their active participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes, specifically regarding COP 6 and the Clean Development Mechanism.
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Document type: Statement
Corruption and development
This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the relationship between corruption and development, with a specific focus on South Africa. It argues that corruption is a global phenomenon that distorts public spending, undermines efficiency, and discourages investment, thereby hindering economic growth and social equity. The authors contend that while economic liberalisation and democratisation can create opportunities for better governance, they are not panaceas; instead, a multifaceted approach involving institutional reform, legal frameworks, and strong political will is required to eradicate corruption and promote sustainable development.
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Document type: Report
Comments on Improving Identification of Prior Art Recommendations on Traditional Knowledge Relating to Biological Diversity
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) submitted comments to the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) arguing that traditional knowledge of biological diversity is frequently overlooked as prior art, leading to the improper granting of patents. The document recommends stricter disclosure requirements for applicants, the systematic use of ethnobotanical databases and herbarium specimens in searches, and the consideration of moral grounds for denying patents on sacred indigenous resources.
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Document type: Statement
Minimum Standards for local climate-smart Disaster Risk Reduction – enabling integration of local capacities into national climate adaptation strategies
This policy brief introduces 'Minimum Standards' designed to transition local disaster risk reduction (DRR) from 'business as usual' to 'climate-smart' practices. The standards aim to bridge the gap between national climate adaptation strategies and local capacities by providing practical, achievable benchmarks for communities, civil society organizations, and governments to integrate changing climate risks into their planning and implementation.
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Document type: Policy brief
confirmatory-affidavit-d-ogier-003a10b951967945.pdf
This document is a confirmatory affidavit and professional curriculum vitae submitted by David Ogier, an independent Climate, Risk, and GIS Specialist, to the High Court of South Africa Eastern Cape Division. Ogier confirms the accuracy of expert maps (FA 10 and FA 11) prepared for a legal matter involving the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and other respondents, including Shell Exploration and Production South Africa BV and BG International Limited.
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Document type: Statement
10 Essentials for a ‘Truly Green’ Green Equity Approach
This report by Recourse and a coalition of partners evaluates the International Finance Corporation's (IFC) 'Approach to Greening Equity in Financial Institutions' (GEA). While acknowledging the GEA's goal to phase out coal-related investments by 2030, the authors argue that the current framework contains significant loopholes and fails to align with the Paris Agreement. The document proposes ten essential reforms to ensure the IFC's equity investments in financial intermediaries are truly green, including expanding the scope to oil and gas, improving transparency, and addressing human rights and gender equality.
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Document type: Report
Difensori dei diritti della terra e dell'ambiente in pericolo: una panoramica su casi recenti
This report by the Center for International Environmental Law provides an overview of the risks and persecution faced by land and environmental rights defenders in 2013. It details how individuals protecting natural resources and indigenous rights are targeted by state forces and non-state actors, including corporations and organized crime, often in the context of large-scale investment projects and extractive industries.
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Document type: Report
The Legal Foundations for Fossil Fuel Phaseout: An Open Letter to the Co-Hosts and Participants of the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels Santa Marta, Colombia
This open letter, published by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), is addressed to the participants of the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia. It features a collection of statements from legal experts, academics, and policy advisors who argue that phasing out fossil fuels is a binding legal obligation under international law, rather than a matter of political discretion. The document emphasizes that current approvals for new fossil fuel projects and the continued use of subsidies violate international legal duties to prevent climate harm and protect human rights.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Human Rights Impacts of E-Waste
This report by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the human rights implications of electronic waste (e-waste), focusing on the toxic chemicals used in electronics and the health and environmental hazards associated with unregulated recycling practices, particularly in developing countries.
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Document type: Report