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This research paper examines the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and human well-being, using China as a primary case study. It analyzes how income per capita, energy production mixes, and geography correlate with CO2 emissions across 174 countries and 30 Chinese provinces, arguing that current high-consumption lifestyles in rich countries are incompatible with low-emission stabilization targets.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how carbon markets can be leveraged to fund greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. It analyzes the current state of the market, estimates potential future demand and revenue, and proposes a phased approach for developing country participation, ranging from expanded project-based mechanisms to absolute emission caps.

This research paper evaluates the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) at the end of its first term (2004–2009), analyzing its prospects for transforming from a consultative body into a full legislative assembly. The author argues that while the PAP Protocol envisions this evolution, the institution currently suffers from significant structural weaknesses, a lack of enforcement power, and a democratic deficit due to the indirect nomination of its members.

This research paper argues that Zimbabwe adopting the South African Rand or joining the Common Monetary Area (CMA) would be economically unviable and politically unacceptable, potentially undermining the credibility of the CMA due to Zimbabwe's foreign reserve crisis.

This testimony by Rob Bradley of the World Resources Institute (WRI) argues that the United States is well-positioned to resume international leadership on climate change. Bradley asserts that the global landscape has shifted since the Kyoto Protocol, with major developing nations now presenting their own climate plans. He advocates for a new agreement based on the Bali Action Plan, which emphasizes "measurable, reportable and verifiable" (MRV) actions from both developed and developing countries to ensure mutual accountability and trust.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the economic and political outlook for Africa in 2009, highlighting the risks posed by the global banking crisis, commodity price volatility, and precarious democratic transitions.

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) formally notified the IUCN of its decision to withdraw its membership due to the IUCN's corporate partnership with Shell and other corporations, arguing that such partnerships serve as 'greenwashing' and undermine environmental and human rights struggles.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) provides a framework for civil society organisations (CSOs) to use the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to monitor government management of public resources. The authors argue that the APRM's Economic Governance and Management section is often too technocratic for CSOs, and they propose five evidence-based indicators—strategic planning, expenditure management, internal controls, handling of resource abuse, and accountability to oversight institutions—to help citizens ensure the progressive realisation of socio-economic rights.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes various proposals for operationalizing technology cooperation within the UNFCCC framework ahead of the 2009 Copenhagen negotiations. It contrasts the institutional and financial preferences of the G77 + China, the European Union, and other nations, while proposing a comprehensive evaluation framework based on legal principles, specific actions across the technology chain, and institutional mandates. The document also includes a position paper from the Climate Action Network (CAN) advocating for a dedicated Technology Cooperation Mechanism and a Technology Fund to ensure the measurable, reportable, and verifiable (MRV) transfer of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) to developing countries.

This 2009 briefing analyzes Namibia's agricultural sector and food security strategies. It highlights that while Namibia faced rising food prices, a conservative pricing agreement between producers and millers mitigated the impact. The report details the country's reliance on subsistence farming for 1.5 million people and the government's efforts to increase food security through irrigation (the Green Scheme), import controls on staples and horticulture, and targeted subsidies for communal farmers. It also discusses Namibia's trade position within SACU, SADC, and the WTO, emphasizing its status as a net food-importing developing country.

This case study examines the impact of investment incentives on the chemical and pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia, specifically focusing on the Banten province. It analyzes the evolution of Indonesian investment laws, the effectiveness of these incentives in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), and the resulting socio-economic and environmental consequences.

This document presents the 'Co-Chairs' Recommendations' from a workshop held in Cape Town on 24-25 June 2009. The event, hosted by the Center on Global Counterterrorism Cooperation and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), aimed to raise awareness of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy among African civil society organizations (CSOs) and explore ways to increase their participation in its implementation.

This report details the proceedings of the Africa Trade and Climate Change Dialogue held in Johannesburg on May 7-8, 2009. The event, organized by ICTSD, IISD, and SAIIA, brought together African trade officials, policy-makers, and experts to examine the intersection of trade policy, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. The dialogue focused on identifying policy priorities and research gaps to prepare African countries for the UNFCCC Copenhagen summit, specifically addressing vulnerabilities in agriculture, the need for predictable financing, and the diffusion of low-carbon technologies.

This document contains the proceedings of a two-day workshop held in August 2009 by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and EcoSanRes. The workshop focused on the legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks required to promote the sustainable reuse of nutrients from wastewater, human excreta, and greywater across various global regions.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute synthesizes country submissions to the UNFCCC regarding technology and financial support for climate mitigation, mapping party positions across the stages of innovation from research and development to commercial deployment.

This research paper argues that underdevelopment in Sub-Saharan Africa is driven by a structural power imbalance where political elites use state control to extract savings from the private sector—primarily peasants and multinational corporations—diverting these resources toward elite consumption and state repression rather than productive investment.

This report summarizes a seminar hosted by the Institute for Security Studies on November 14, 2008, featuring U.S. Ambassador Eric M. Bost. The discussion focused on the 2008 U.S. presidential election of Barack Obama and the potential implications for Africa, specifically addressing the tension between global expectations of a policy shift and the likelihood of a domestic-focused U.S. agenda.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the evolution of France's relations with Africa, analyzing the transition from the traditional 'Françafrique' system of personalized power and influence toward a more multilateral, transparent partnership. It evaluates the tensions between official rhetoric of rupture—such as the 'doctrine de la Baule' and President Nicolas Sarkozy's promises—and the persistence of old habits, including the support of authoritarian regimes and the reduction of development aid.

This report, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), examines the development of Africa's private sector and the role of South African companies. It argues that sustainable development in Africa requires a flourishing private sector and emphasizes the necessity of public-private partnerships, providing recommendations for policy-makers.

This report examines the role of sustainable development within the regional trade agreements (RTAs) of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), arguing that market access alone is insufficient to alleviate poverty and that a comprehensive sustainable development agenda is necessary to balance economic growth with social and environmental conservation.