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This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute analyzes the impact of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and draws lessons from previous disasters, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone, to guide recovery and build long-term resilience.

This report examines the environmental impacts of trade liberalization in the wood and wood products sector of Lao PDR, highlighting the tension between high regional demand and the challenges of low-value exports, illegal logging, and inefficient processing infrastructure.

This 2008 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for the SEED Initiative examines the challenges and processes of scaling up and replicating social and environmental enterprises. It contrasts the 'large scale' ambitions of international development donors with the modest, viability-focused growth goals of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), suggesting that recognition and reward programs should provide more tailored, long-term support and help create enabling environments rather than expecting entrepreneurs to drive systemic societal transformation alone.

The Foundation Course on Air Quality Management in Asia is a self-study guide for adult learners designed to provide an understanding of the components necessary to manage urban air pollution and improve air quality. Developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the University of York, the course consists of six modules created by an international team of experts.

This fact sheet describes the 'Integrating Climate and Development' project in Thailand, a program running from March 2008 to December 2009. Funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and partnered with Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the project aims to fill the gap in concrete analysis regarding the integration of climate policies into national development plans.

This research paper analyzes the environmental impacts of trade liberalization on the organic agriculture sector in Lao PDR. It examines how increased market access to the EU, US, and ASEAN countries creates opportunities for 'organic by default' products but also poses risks such as deforestation and the potential shift toward intensive agriculture due to irregular supply and a lack of formal certification systems.

This research paper, published in December 2007 by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), provides a Rapid Trade and Environment Assessment (RTEA) of organic agriculture in Lao PDR. It examines the intersection of trade policies, environmental sustainability, and the growth of the organic sector, highlighting the potential for organic products to improve farmer livelihoods and environmental health while facing challenges in certification and market access.

This research paper examines the environmental impacts of trade liberalization within the medicinal plants and spices sector of Lao PDR. It analyzes the tension between the economic goals of poverty reduction and export growth and the resulting pressures on biodiversity, specifically highlighting the risks of unsustainable wild harvesting versus the potential of cultivation and certification.

This research paper examines the environmental implications of trade liberalization within the silk handicrafts sector of Lao PDR. While the sector is currently characterized by a low environmental footprint due to organic sericulture and natural dyeing, the author warns that scaling up production to meet growing international demand may lead to increased water pollution and land-use pressures. The paper suggests that maintaining 'green' credentials is essential for accessing premium niche markets and recommends the implementation of a National Export Strategy, improved wastewater treatment, and the establishment of a National Production Centre for sericulture.

This research paper examines the environmental impacts of trade liberalization and regional integration on the tourism sector in Lao PDR. It highlights the growth of the industry, the role of ecotourism in conservation, and the risks of unplanned development, while providing strategic policy recommendations to ensure sustainable growth.

This research paper examines the environmental impacts of trade liberalization on the wood and wood products sector in the Lao PDR. It analyzes how regional demand, particularly from China, and integration into trade agreements like ASEAN and AFTA influence forest decline, biodiversity loss, and the transition from low-value raw log exports to high-value processed wood products.

This report explores market-based price risk management options for coffee farmers, particularly smallholders in developing countries. It analyzes the volatility of Arabica and Robusta coffee prices and the barriers preventing farmers from accessing futures and options markets. The authors argue that while traditional risk mitigation (like diversification) is costly and inefficient, market-based instruments can make earnings more predictable, provided that intermediaries like local banks and cooperatives are leveraged to bridge the gap between small growers and international exchanges.

The National Chairman's Annual Statement 2006 from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the shifting global balance of power, the rise of emerging economies in the South, and the specific geopolitical and economic challenges facing Africa and South Africa.

This report by Friends of the Earth International argues that World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and regional free trade agreements prioritize corporate profit over environmental sustainability and human rights, leading to the loss of livelihoods for millions of small-scale farmers, fishers, and indigenous peoples. The document details how trade liberalization facilitates the privatization of natural resources, undermines food sovereignty, and exacerbates climate change and desertification across various global regions.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) argues that achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) requires the integration of environmentally sustainable strategies across all goals, specifically focusing on freshwater, energy, and sanitation. The study identifies significant gaps in current MDG planning, particularly regarding the water requirements for food production and the need for innovative sanitation solutions. It estimates that an annual investment of USD 107 billion is required between 2005 and 2015 to meet targets for water, food, sanitation, and energy using sustainable pathways.

This 2004 policy paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that the rapid growth of global aviation is unsustainable due to its significant contribution to climate change and local pollution. It highlights that aviation's radiative forcing makes its emissions three times more damaging than ground-level CO2 and criticizes government subsidies that artificially stimulate demand. The report recommends a shift toward demand management, including the internalisation of external costs, shifting short-haul passengers to rail, and implementing strict noise and emission limits at airports.

This 2004 research paper analyzes the sustainability crisis in the global coffee sector, highlighting how declining prices, market volatility, and an inequitable distribution of value harm small-scale producers. It argues that while conventional contracts ignore sustainability, a new framework of 'sustainable coffee contracts'—incorporating long-term agreements, price differentials based on sustainability points, and third-party certification—could mitigate these risks and incentivize sustainable production.

This report reviews Phase One (December 2001 – December 2003) of a project by IUCN, IISD, SEI-B, and Intercooperation aimed at reducing the vulnerability of poor communities to climate change. The project advocates for an integrated approach to adaptation that combines disaster risk reduction, environmental management, and poverty reduction, specifically emphasizing sustainable livelihoods (SL) and ecosystem management and restoration (EM&R). Phase One focused on establishing a theoretical basis, collecting evidence through case studies and desk-based assessments, and communicating this approach to policy audiences to prepare for the operationalization of adaptation in Phase Two.

This briefing paper outlines a conceptual framework for climate change adaptation that focuses on reducing the vulnerability of poor communities by strengthening sustainable livelihoods through ecosystem management and restoration.

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.