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This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of investment treaties and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms in global governance. It argues that traditional treaties, designed to protect foreign investors and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), often conflict with sustainable development goals by creating 'regulatory chill' and imposing high financial costs on host states. The document advocates for an ambitious reform of investment law to prioritize public interest, environmental protection, and human rights over investor protections.

This 2004 research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the relationship between international investment agreements (IIAs) and sustainable development. It argues that the traditional model of IIAs, which focuses heavily on investor protections, has failed to empirically prove its ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and often conflicts with the regulatory needs and development priorities of host states. The paper advocates for a 'Southern Agenda' that balances private investor rights with public goods, transparency, and the specific needs of developing countries.

This white paper examines the integration of Life Cycle Costing (LCC) within sustainable public procurement (SPP), arguing that current models often fail to deliver the best value for taxpayers by overemphasizing upfront purchase prices over long-term operational and environmental costs. The authors identify systemic barriers—including conflicting capital and revenue budgets, a lack of professional expertise, and data gaps—and recommend that LCC be integrated into high-level public expenditure and resource allocation policies rather than remaining a routine procurement task.

This guide, produced by the OECD and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), provides policy recommendations for developing countries to combat base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) in the mining sector. It specifically addresses the use of excessive debt by multinational enterprises (MNEs) to shift profits abroad through interest deductions. The document details common aggressive tax planning structures, explains the application of OECD BEPS Action 4, and suggests a combination of fiscal tools to protect national tax bases while maintaining an attractive investment climate.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and CUTS International, Geneva, provides an update on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Working Group (IWG) on Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) from June to December 2020. It details the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MSMEs, particularly those led by women, and outlines a package of six recommendations and declarations adopted by the IWG in December 2020 to improve MSME integration into the multilateral trading system.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines a shift from traditional one-way communications to 'engagement strategies' for sustainable development knowledge networks. It argues that behavioral change in policy-makers is driven by trust and relationships rather than information alone, proposing a systemic approach to building action-oriented relationships over time.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) defines and establishes operating principles for 'formal knowledge networks' designed to influence sustainable development policy. It distinguishes these from other collaboration models—such as communities of practice or information networks—by emphasizing a structured, outcome-oriented approach that targets decision-makers rather than just facilitating information exchange among members.

This briefing by the Prairie Climate Centre examines strategies to enhance the climate resilience of urban electricity and information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, with a particular focus on Alberta, Canada. It advocates for the adoption of robustness, redundancy, and resourcefulness to mitigate risks from extreme weather and long-term climate trends.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that sustainable public procurement (SPP) is a powerful tool for governments to rebuild economies and infrastructure following disasters and conflicts. It posits that by integrating economic, social, and environmental risks into procurement, governments can signal long-term demand for green goods, stimulate innovation in the private sector, and increase national resilience to future disasters.

This report by the Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) provides preliminary estimates of global energy subsidies by source for 2007, detailing the assumptions and calculations used for nuclear energy, renewable energy, biofuels, fossil fuels, and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

This policy brief describes the results of a Rapid Trade and Environment Assessment (RTEA) conducted in Namibia from January to June 2009. The assessment aimed to identify 'green' opportunities and threats within international trade law and technical standards to support Namibia's Vision 2030 and National Development Plan (NDP3). It emphasizes that Namibia should avoid the bulk export models of Western nations or South Africa, instead focusing on high-value niche sectors based on its comparative advantages in biodiversity, landscapes, and rangelands.

This report analyzes the policy responses of Southern African nations to the global food price increases of 2006–2008. It argues that the region exists in a state of permanent food insecurity, making the global crisis a "spike" in a long-term trend rather than an isolated event. The report emphasizes the role of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) as the primary framework for coordinated regional responses, focusing on long-term structural improvements over short-term reactionary measures.

The Trade Knowledge Network (TKN) is an initiative of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) launched in 1997 to integrate sustainable development into trade policy and practice across national, bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels.

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 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 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides a development forecast for Lesotho extending to 2043. It outlines a 'Current Path' based on existing policies and compares it against 11 sectoral scenarios and a 'Combined Agenda 2063' scenario. The analysis focuses on demographics, economics, poverty, health, and energy, highlighting Lesotho's heavy economic dependence on South Africa and its vulnerability to food insecurity and political instability.

This report provides a detailed development forecast for Namibia up to 2043, utilizing the International Futures (IFs) forecasting platform. It outlines a 'Current Path' based on existing policies and evaluates several sectoral scenarios—including stability, health, agriculture, and education—to determine their potential impact on GDP per capita and extreme poverty. The report concludes with a 'Combined Agenda 2063' scenario, which aggregates these interventions to project a significantly higher economic trajectory and a substantial reduction in poverty.

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers for the Institute for Security Studies analyzes Africa's demographic transition, focusing on the 'demographic window of opportunity' defined by a worker-to-dependant ratio of 1.7:1. It details the varying timelines for different African regions to reach this threshold and the systemic requirements needed to convert population growth into economic dividends.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies provides a development forecast for Eswatini up to 2043. It outlines a 'Current Path' (CP) based on existing policies and evaluates 11 sectoral intervention scenarios, culminating in a 'Combined Agenda 2063' scenario. The analysis focuses on demographics, economic growth, poverty reduction, health, and energy transition, highlighting Eswatini's high per capita income relative to its peers despite endemic poverty and a high HIV/AIDS burden.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the infrastructure investment gap in Africa, detailing the financial shortfalls, the role of continental frameworks like PIDA, and the challenges of mobilising both domestic and private capital to support sustainable growth.