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A letter from the WTO Panel Chairman to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) stating that the first substantive meeting for the dispute 'Brazil— Measures affecting imports of retreaded tyres (DS332)' will be held in closed session, rejecting a request for the hearing to be webcast.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the BTC Pipeline Project's legal framework undermines the rule of law and sovereign regulatory power in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. CIEL identifies significant deficiencies in the project's approach to climate change, public consultation, and compensation for affected populations, particularly in Turkey. The document further contends that the project fails to demonstrate a measurable contribution to poverty alleviation, potentially violating IFC mandates.

The document argues for a dual-track compliance system for the Kyoto Protocol. During the first commitment period, it advocates for a 'managerial or facilitative approach' to build capacity and confidence. Following this, it proposes an enforcement phase for substantive non-compliance, centered on the principle of 'making the climate whole' through offsets or a Clean Development Fund. The authors suggest a 'true-up' period between these phases to allow Parties to correct overages without triggering formal sanctions. For procedural non-compliance, the paper suggests a mix of 'carrots and sticks,' including financial assistance and restrictions on cooperative mechanisms. For substantive failures, it recommends strict liability measures, including trade sanctions for willful non-compliance, while proposing a hardship appeal process for countries unable to pay, specifically mentioning the risks of 'hot air' trading in transition economies like Russia.

The document identifies systemic failures in the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) internal processes, asserting that a lack of transparency and the exclusion of developing countries from decision-making undermine the organization's claim to be a "rules-based organisation". It details problems across general operations, pre-Ministerial preparations, and the conduct of Ministerial Conferences, specifically citing the "green room" process and "chair driven" negotiations as barriers to democracy. To remedy this, the authors propose a shift toward inclusive meetings, the cessation of "Mini Ministerials", and the establishment of a general committee of all members to serve as the primary decision-making forum during conferences.

The document is a memorandum from a coalition of non-governmental organisations and civil society groups calling for urgent reforms to the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) internal procedures. The authors argue that a lack of transparency and the exclusion of a majority of Members from decision-making processes have worsened over time, despite promises of reform. They assert that these systemic failures negatively impact billions of people and the environment, and that without procedural reforms, existing imbalances in WTO rules cannot be corrected and new detrimental rules may be introduced. The memorandum specifically targets the period leading up to and during the Cancun Ministerial.

The document examines the increasing risk of climate-related lawsuits against fossil fuel companies and utilities, focusing on how these risks impact directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance. It highlights the potential for shareholder and derivative suits based on financial non-disclosures and the evolving standard of care for corporate leadership. A central concern is the use of 'pollution exclusions' by insurers to deny coverage for climate-related claims, which could leave directors and officers personally liable for damages.

A public statement issued by FENACOCA in August 2007 opposing hydrocarbon exploration in proposed Cacataibo territorial reserves to protect the lives and integrity of Cacataibo people in voluntary isolation.

FENACOCA issued a public statement in August 2007 rejecting oil exploration in proposed Cacataibo territorial reserves in Peru, citing risks to those in voluntary isolation. The organization demanded the Peruvian state finalize the creation of these reserves, requested precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and conditioned negotiations with the company "PETROLIFERA" on a guarantee of non-entry into the reserves.

The document argues that oil and gas activities threaten biodiversity at every stage, from exploration to end use, and calls for an immediate halt to new projects, particularly in high-biodiversity areas. It highlights the specific risks to the Amazon and the Verde Island Passage, and advocates for a just phaseout of fossil fuels to meet the 2050 goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

The document advocates for the legal recognition of community-based property rights (CBPRs) in the Global South, arguing that such rights are distinct from Western individual property concepts and state-led decentralization. It posits that recognizing CBPRs—particularly for indigenous peoples—helps protect ancestral territories, prevents resource commodification, and fosters environmental justice. However, the text notes that property rights alone are insufficient for sustainable development and must be paired with technical assistance, credit programs, and strong procedural rights.

The document examines the intersection of climate change and human rights, detailing how environmental changes and mitigation/adaptation efforts affect fundamental rights. It highlights the vulnerability of women, children, and indigenous peoples, and reviews key international milestones such as the Malé Declaration and the Cancun Agreements. The guide recommends establishing a Special Procedure on Climate Change and Human Rights and integrating human rights protections directly into the UNFCCC framework.

The Human Rights Committee (CCPR) is increasingly linking climate change to human rights obligations under the ICCPR, particularly the right to life. In 2018, General Comment No. 36 established that climate change and environmental degradation are serious threats to the right to life, creating a due diligence obligation for States to take reasonable positive measures against foreseeable threats. In 2019, the CCPR began issuing climate-related recommendations to States, including Cabo Verde, and addressing climate issues in lists of issues for the United States and Dominica. In the case of Teitiota v New Zealand, the Committee acknowledged that climate change impacts could trigger non-refoulement obligations if they violate the right to life, though the specific petition was rejected. Additionally, a pending case involves Torres Strait Islanders against Australia, alleging that failure to mitigate emissions and adapt to climate change violates their rights to life and culture.

The document argues that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an ineffective and dangerous technology that serves the interests of polluters rather than the climate. It claims CCS is more expensive and energy-intensive than renewable alternatives, fails to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, and poses health and safety risks to frontline communities through increased toxic pollutants and pipeline hazards. The authors assert that nearly 80% of captured carbon is used for enhanced oil recovery and urge leaders in the US and Canada to shift public funding toward phasing out fossil fuels and investing in energy efficiency and natural carbon sinks.

The briefing argues that WIPO's examination of disclosure requirements in intellectual property applications must not run counter to the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It emphasizes that the CBD should maintain its leading role in biodiversity issues, while WIPO's role should be limited to reflecting ongoing discussions within its own bodies—such as the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents—rather than providing definitive guidelines. The document also stresses the need to integrate a development dimension, aligning with UN goals like the Millennium Declaration, to prevent the misappropriation of genetic resources and ensure fair benefit-sharing for provider countries.

The research paper examines the public participation framework of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol, specifically focusing on the rules established by the Marrakech Accords. It identifies significant gaps in how information is made 'publicly available,' the lack of standardized environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements, and the absence of formal redress mechanisms for stakeholders. The authors argue that current rules risk excluding local communities and NGOs, as most information is released after decision-making has occurred. To address these issues, the paper recommends the creation of a 'Good Practice Manual for Public Consultation and Disclosure' and the establishment of an independent watchdog mechanism similar to the World Bank's Inspection Panel.

This briefing outlines the Terms of Reference, composition, and scope of the International Advisory Group (IAG) established to monitor the Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project. The IAG is an independent body designed to advise the World Bank Group (WBG) and the governments of Chad and Cameroon on the project's progress toward social, environmental, and poverty alleviation goals.

The document outlines how climate-driven events like sea level rise, temperature increases, and extreme weather lead to human consequences such as dislocation, disease, and infrastructure damage, which in turn violate rights to life, health, water, and housing.

The document establishes a framework for Canada, Mexico, and the United States to enhance trilateral regulatory cooperation regarding chemicals. The goal is to safeguard health and the environment while maximizing trade and cost-effectiveness for governments and businesses. Key strategies include the exchange of scientific data, alignment of work programs, and capacity-building, particularly for Mexico. Specific targets for 2012 include the US assessing over 9,000 high-production volume chemicals, Canada completing assessments of high-priority substances, and Mexico developing an information system for dangerous materials. By 2020, the countries aim to have updated chemical inventories in all three nations and enhanced chemical management capacity in Mexico, aligning with the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management.

CIEL suggests incorporating ongoing discussions on financial structures for the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and expanding the Special Programme's funding eligibility to include civil society organizations.

The document details how plastic production and disposal contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, projecting that by 2050, these emissions could consume 10 to 13 percent of the remaining carbon budget. It identifies four main emission phases: raw material extraction and transport, refining and manufacturing, waste disposal, and the degradation of plastic in the environment. The report emphasizes that current climate models often underestimate these impacts and argues that the only effective solution is an immediate reduction in the production and use of plastics, alongside a halt to new petrochemical infrastructure.