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This executive summary discusses the need for the Canadian federal government to revitalize its cross-departmental governance structures to effectively implement the country's first National Adaptation Strategy (NAS). It outlines the challenges of adaptation governance and suggests that success depends on senior-level leadership, awareness of adaptation's unique characteristics, and sufficient funding.

This executive summary by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues for the adoption of natural infrastructure—such as conserved wetlands and restored riparian areas—to address aging water infrastructure and climate vulnerabilities in the Canadian Prairies. The document advocates for a shift away from 'grey' infrastructure (dams, pipes) toward nature-based solutions to manage water supply, treat wastewater, and mitigate disasters like floods and droughts.

This fact sheet presents a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) of a proposed Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) network in Coimbatore, India. It compares traditional benefit-cost ratios with a sustainable approach that accounts for social and environmental externalities, arguing that the project provides significant societal value despite appearing non-viable under traditional financial analysis.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) explores how voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) can assist governments in preparing Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) for the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The document argues that VSSs can fill data gaps, provide best-practice case studies, and foster multisectoral partnerships to track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) explores how Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) can assist governments in preparing Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to report progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The document argues that VSS can bridge data gaps, provide best-practice case studies, and foster multi-stakeholder partnerships to enhance the transparency and inclusivity of national reporting.

This report assesses whether the use of blockchain to digitize equity or debt financing for infrastructure projects (tokenization) provides sufficient benefits to justify its adoption, specifically to inform the World Bank's potential exploration of the technology.

This research paper by Pascal Krummenacher analyzes the gaps in current international trade policy caused by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). It argues that existing World Trade Organization (WTO) frameworks—specifically regarding the goods-services distinction, professional certifications, services delivery modes, and intellectual property—are ill-equipped for AI. While acknowledging the WTO's slow pace and the lack of global normative consensus, the author suggests that the organization should utilize 'soft law' to coordinate international AI regulation and prevent fragmentation.

This research paper by Christophe Bellmann of the International Institute for Sustainable Development outlines strategies for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to integrate sustainability into agricultural trade policies. It argues that while unilateral measures exist, multilateral cooperation is essential to address transboundary environmental challenges, food insecurity, and the impact of agricultural subsidies.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines four strategic areas where G7 nations can demonstrate leadership to accelerate the global phase-out of fossil fuels. It argues that the G7 should set a 2030 deadline for coal phase-out, implement the removal of fossil fuel subsidies, end international public finance for fossil fuels, and commit to ending new oil and gas production to align with the 1.5°C warming limit.

This report provides a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) of flood mitigation strategies in La Mojana, Colombia. It finds that all considered interventions, including dam construction and nature-based wetland restoration, are investment worthy with benefit-to-cost ratios up to 26.1, potentially avoiding USD 1.26 billion in damages over 30 years.

This briefing from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of investor-state memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in agricultural investments, highlighting how their drafting can either create legal risks or support responsible governance.

This guide provides a comprehensive framework for developing countries to understand and adapt to the OECD/G20 Pillar Two Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules. It explains the mechanics of the 15% global minimum tax, evaluates policy options for national responses—such as implementing Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Taxes (QDMT)—and analyzes the impact on existing tax incentives. The document also addresses legal obstacles, specifically fiscal stabilization clauses in investment contracts and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), offering strategies to mitigate litigation risks while mobilizing domestic revenue.

This guide provides a comprehensive framework for developing countries to understand and adapt to the OECD/G20 Pillar Two Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules. It explains the mechanisms of the 15% global minimum tax, evaluates national policy options for capturing top-up taxes, and analyzes legal obstacles such as fiscal stabilization clauses and bilateral investment treaties.

This guide explains the OECD's Pillar Two GloBE rules, which aim for a 15% global minimum tax on large multinationals. It outlines how developing countries can respond via domestic minimum taxes or incentive reviews to prevent tax revenues from flowing to other jurisdictions. The document also analyzes legal risks associated with investment treaties and stabilization clauses.

This executive summary evaluates the legal and policy framework for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) in Madagascar's mining sector. While the framework is described as generally coherent and up-to-date, the document identifies critical gaps—including broad stabilization clauses and the potential for operating permits to precede environmental permits—and provides recommendations to align the system with international best practices from the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF).

This report describes an Excel-based cost-benefit analysis (CBA) model developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA). The model is designed to evaluate 'betterment' road infrastructure projects in Queensland, Australia, by quantifying not only direct avoided reconstruction costs but also indirect social, economic, and environmental 'non-road' benefits to determine the total societal value of resilience investments.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSSs) can mitigate financial risks for financial service providers (FSPs) investing in sustainable agriculture, particularly in developing countries. By benchmarking 12 VSSs against sustainable finance frameworks, the report identifies gaps in economic viability and climate adaptation criteria while highlighting strengths in legal compliance, soil and water conservation, and labour rights.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) can mitigate financial risks for financial service providers (FSPs) investing in sustainable agriculture, particularly in developing economies. By analyzing 12 VSS against sustainable finance frameworks and consulting 51 FSPs, the document identifies gaps in economic viability and climate adaptation criteria while highlighting the strengths of VSS in environmental and social governance.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) can mitigate financial risks for financial service providers (FSPs) investing in agriculture in developing countries. By analyzing 12 VSS across economic, environmental, and social dimensions, the document identifies gaps in current standards—particularly regarding economic viability and climate adaptation—and provides recommendations for FSPs, VSS developers, and governments to catalyze investment in sustainable agriculture.

This report provides a status update as of December 2022 on the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on Electronic Commerce, analyzing its position within national, regional, and multilateral e-commerce governance frameworks.