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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.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) provides a series of suggested amendments to the Chairman's Paper for the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). CIEL argues that the original paper overemphasizes economic growth and national governance while neglecting environmental protection, human rights, and the necessity of multilateral cooperation.

This briefing by Friends of the Earth International argues that children and unborn babies are disproportionately exposed to and vulnerable to pesticides in food and the home. It criticizes the UK government for a lack of specific legal protections for children and calls for a ban on hormone-disrupting pesticides, the extension of strict pesticide limits to all foods, and a target of 30 per cent organic farmland by 2010.

This briefing analyzes the outcomes of the WTO Doha Ministerial meeting regarding intellectual property and the TRIPS Agreement. It highlights the legal ambiguity of the mandates, identifying opportunities for developing countries to protect public health and traditional knowledge, while warning against risks such as 'TRIPS plus' proposals under Article 71.1 and the precedent set by the multilateral register for wines and spirits.

This research paper examines the tension between centralism and decentralization in Mexico, focusing on the state of Oaxaca. It discusses how the diversity of local governments, particularly indigenous municipalities governed by traditional customs, must navigate the pressures of globalization and trade liberalization to achieve sustainable local development.

This research paper by Fernando Melo Farrera, presented at a World Resources Institute conference in 2002, examines the tension between globalization and local diversity in Mexico. It argues that for municipalities to move beyond being mere operators of federal policy and become promoters of sustainable local development, Mexico must transition from a history of presidential centralism toward genuine decentralization and federalism that respects local autonomy and indigenous governance systems.

This report analyzes the compliance system of the Kyoto Protocol, describing it as more robust than typical multilateral environmental agreements due to its quasi-judicial enforcement mechanisms and specific penalties for developed nations that fail to meet emissions targets.

A group of international anti-toxics organizations, including the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), urged the Canadian government to resist a $100 million claim by the Crompton Corporation under NAFTA Chapter 11. The claim follows Crompton's voluntary surrender of its registration for lindane, a persistent organic pollutant used in canola seed treatment. The organizations argue that NAFTA's investor-state mechanism is being used to undermine legitimate public health and environmental regulations.

The document is an action list from the first day of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC), held on December 2, 2002, in Panama City, Panama. It records administrative approvals, elections, and requests for future procedural documentation.

This guide introduces the concept of 'green building' as a holistic, integrated approach to design and construction aimed at reducing resource consumption and enhancing quality of life. It emphasizes that resource efficiency is achieved through early interdisciplinary collaboration and the optimization of interlinked systems rather than the piecemeal addition of environmental components.

The New Business Climate is a 2002 guide by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) designed to help corporations and institutions reduce carbon emissions while improving business performance. It argues that climate change presents both risks to asset values and opportunities for innovation, advocating for a transition from incremental thinking to radical resource efficiency and the use of emerging carbon markets to manage costs.

The Marrakech Accords establish a robust compliance system for the Kyoto Protocol, featuring a two-branch compliance committee (facilitative and enforcement) with membership based on equitable geographical representation and double majority voting. Annex I Parties failing to meet emissions targets face specific penalties, including deductions from future assigned amounts and loss of emissions trading privileges. While the system provides for public participation and appeals, the legal nature of its 'binding' consequences remains a point of contention among Parties, specifically the Umbrella Group.

This report analyzes the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and its implications for environmental policy makers. It argues that the GATS, which functions as both a trade and investment agreement, may constrain the ability of national and sub-national governments to implement environmental regulations. The authors highlight risks associated with market access obligations, national treatment standards, and proposed disciplines on domestic regulation, while recommending the use of Sustainability Impact Assessments and the introduction of a broader environmental exception clause in the GATS text.

As of September 30, 2001, the IAI reported actual operating expenses of US$ 222,036, slightly below budget. However, the institute projected a cash deficit of US$ 24,284 for the 2001/2002 fiscal year due to a gap between expected contributions (US$ 750,000) and operating costs (US$ 800,000). Significant contribution arrears were noted, with US$ 777,838 unreceived as of June 2001. Programmatic funds remained for CRN (US$ 355,740), ISP III (US$ 187,726), and PESCA (US$ 89,000), though the CRN program faced potential funding delays from Argentina due to the country's economic crisis.

The XVI meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), held on October 5, 2001, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, focused on administrative updates, the progress of science reporting, the establishment of a Small Grants Program, and the planning of a synthesis book titled 'Montevideo +10'.

This report from the Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) provides an analysis of institutional, programmatic, and educational activities conducted between August 1 and October 31, 2001. It details membership updates, the status of scientific capacity programs, and the outcomes of training initiatives like the IAI/UM Summer Institute.

This report from the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) provides an analysis of institutional, programmatic, and educational activities conducted between August 1 and October 31, 2001. It details membership updates, the status of scientific programs such as the Initial Scientific Program (ISP) and the Cooperative Research Networks (CRN), and the outcomes of the IAI/University of Miami Summer Institute.

Minutes from the Twelfth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC), held December 4-5, 2000, in San José, Costa Rica. The meeting focused on institutional stability, financial deficits in the core budget, the status of scientific programs like the Collaborative Research Network (CRN), and the development of an external evaluation for the Institute.

This report documents the proceedings of the 12th Executive Council (EC) meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held from December 4-5, 2000, in San José, Costa Rica. The meeting focused on institutional governance, financial deficits, the progress of scientific programs such as the Initial Scientific Program (ISP) and Cooperative Research Networks (CRN), and the development of a data information system (IAI-DIS).

This document records the decisions made during the Eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Panama City, Panama, on July 19-20, 2001. The meeting focused on administrative elections, the selection process for a new IAI Director, financial approvals for the 2001/2002 fiscal year, and the establishment of guidelines for science grants and external reviews.